IN STATEWIDE NEWS:

Several new Florida laws take effect October 1, bringing tougher penalties for certain crimes, new registration requirements for some repeat violent offenders, and expanded law enforcement authority involving gangs and no-contact order violations. The laws also increase penalties for animal fighting and offenses involving substances such as xylazine and nitrous oxide. Other laws taking effect include license plate frame requirements, new specialty license plates, and environmental and local government provisions. Florida’s minimum wage also increases to $15 per hour on September 30, while the minimum direct wage for tipped employees rises to $11.98.

Pensacola State College has selected J. Alex Kelly as its seventh president. Kelly, Florida’s current Secretary of Commerce, was unanimously appointed by the college’s Board of Trustees and is expected to begin October 19. His background in economic and workforce development is expected to strengthen the college’s connections with employers and communities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as the region continues to grow and demand skilled workers. Kelly will succeed C. Edward Meadows, who has led the college since 2008.

IN CLIENT NEWS:

On Thursday, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee was the Main Event Sponsor for the Northwest Florida League of Cities Membership Dinner in Milton. Florida’s Great Northwest President & CEO Jennifer Conoley provided a presentation on economic developement and City of Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay offered remarks on the League.A number of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee clients were in attendance, including DeFuniak Springs Mayor Bob Campbell and Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions, LLC.

IN FIRM NEWS:

On Tuesday evening, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President Jennifer Green attended a lecture by Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Florida State University’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall as part of the Institute for Governance and Civics’ Fall 2026 Speaker Series, co-hosted with the Young America’s Foundation. Johnson discussed geopolitics, transatlantic alliances, Ukraine and the current U.S. political climate, emphasizing the longstanding U.S.-U.K. relationship and the importance of continued cooperation. He also praised America’s free-market economy and economic strength. The lecture was followed by a student-submitted Q&A with IGC Director Ryan Owens.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT OCTOBER 1

Floridians will see several changes beginning October 1 as many new state laws take effect. For residents, the changes include tougher penalties for certain criminal offenses, new registration requirements for some repeat violent offenders, and expanded authority for law enforcement in cases involving criminal gangs and violations of no-contact orders. The laws also increase penalties involving animal fighting and certain controlled substances, including xylazine and nitrous oxide. Together, the measures are intended to give law enforcement additional tools while increasing consequences for specific offenses.

There are also several other bills that will become law on October 1. Drivers will have clearer guidelines on license plate frames, as long as identifying information remains visible, and five new specialty license plates will begin the presales process. Environmental and local government changes include new requirements tied to a proposed Broward County landfill expansion and changes to the Fellsmere Water Control District. In addition, Florida’s minimum wage increases to $15 per hour on September 30, while the minimum direct wage for tipped employees rises to $11.98. These changes are among the final group of laws from the 2026 legislative sessions scheduled to take effect this year.

Liberty Partners was proud to be the Event Sponsor and our client, Jenoptik, was a Silver & Dinner Sponsor. (Photos courtesy of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee)

City of Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay provided remarks at the dinner.

Florida's Great Northwest (FGNW) President & CEO Jennifer Conoley provided updates.

From left to right: Liberty Partners of Tallahassee Vice President Tim Parson, Century Town Manager Dave Murzin, Milton City Councilman Casey Powell and former Councilwoman Sheri Sebastio.

LIBERTY PARTNERS SPONSORS NORTHWEST FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES DINNER

On Thursday evening, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee Vice President Tim Parson along with Jenoptik's Dorian Grubaugh and Katie Nash attended the Northwest Florida League of Cities Membership Dinner in Milton. During the event, the team met with various local government leaders to discuss Jenoptik's smart mobility solutions and services that Jenoptik can supply to local governments.

The dinner's keynote speaker was Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) President & CEO Jennifer Conoley. In her address, Jennifer provided an overview of how FGNW serves as the regional economic development organization representing 13 counties in the Florida Panhandle. She also highlighted many of their economic development successes and provided a preview of new businesses looking to locate in the region. We are proud to be an investor in FGNW and know first-hand the benefits they offer.

A number of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee clients were in attendance on Thursday, including City of DeFuniak Springs Mayor Bob Campbell, City of Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay, Milton Councilwoman Marilyn Farrow, and Milton City Police Chief Jennifer Frank and Milton City Manager Ed Spears.

J. Alex Kelly (middle) with BlueWind Technology's Henry Kelley (right, a client of Liberty Partners) and Theresa Cserep.

J. ALEX KELLY SELECTED AS NEXT PRESIDENT OF PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE

Pensacola State College has selected J. Alex Kelly as its seventh president, bringing his background in economic development, workforce development, education, and state government to the college. Kelly, who currently serves as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce, was unanimously appointed by the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees and is expected to begin his tenure October 19. His experience leading Florida’s economic and workforce development efforts comes at an important time for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, where Pensacola State plays a key role in preparing students for careers and helping local employers meet workforce needs.

Kelly’s leadership is expected to further strengthen the connection between the college, employers, and communities across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. His experience working on workforce pipelines and economic development will be especially relevant as the region continues to grow and businesses look for skilled workers. The Florida Chamber of Commerce has also emphasized the importance of connecting education and workforce development to regional economic growth, making Kelly’s transition to Pensacola State significant for the broader Northwest Florida business community. He will succeed C. Edward Meadows, who has led Pensacola State since 2008. Read more here.

Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green (left) with former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson following Tuesday's lecture at FSU. (Photos courtesy of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee)

Jennifer and husband Ray Green (left) with Johnson on Tuesday evening.

BORIS JOHNSON PROVIDES LECTURE AT FSU

Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson touched down in Florida on Tuesday to deliver a lecture entitled “Saving the West” to a sold-out crowd at Florida State University’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. The event was co-hosted by the FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) and the Young American’s Foundation (YAF) as a part of the IGC’s Fall 2026 Speaker Series. His lecture garnered attention from the students of FSU and members of the larger Tallahassee community.

The event featured a solo lecture from former Prime Minister Johnson followed by a Q&A where the IGC Director Ryan Owens delivered questions submitted by FSU students. Johnson's lecture covered topics such as geopolitics, transatlantic alliances, and the current American Political Climate.

Originally a New York native, former Prime Minister views the United States through a lens of admiration and respect. At the start of his lecture, he noted that the U.S. and UK have intertwined histories of alliances, such as during both World Wars and the Cold War. Former PM asserted that the two countries should work together once again to support Ukraine. Johnson emphasized the American advantage and offered praise concerning the capitalist free market and stated that it would “be absolutely mad to bet against America.”

Attendees viewed the lecture as informative, humorous, and motivating, the very mission that the IGC hopes to accomplish throughout their Fall 2026 Speaker Series. Read more here.

TEAM LPOT - HERE FOR YOU

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IN THE NEWS

DeSantis, Uthmeier announce arrests of 20 people in Florida for voter fraud

-Florida Phoenix

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier told reporters Thursday in Palm Beach County that state agents have arrested 20 people for voter fraud in Florida. Full story here.

Florida Gas Prices Climb 21 Cents, Hit Highest Level Since May

-The Capitolist

Florida gas prices climbed sharply last week, reaching their highest daily average since May as rising crude oil prices continued to push fuel costs higher, according to AAA. Full story here.

Florida AG sues insulin makers, pharmacy benefit manager over high prices

-News4Jax

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit against three of the world’s largest insulin manufacturers, three major pharmacy benefit managers and several rebate aggregators, alleging a coordinated scheme to inflate insulin prices at the expense of patients who cannot live without the drug. Full story here.