Plans to build a new appeals courthouse in Lakeland were delayed as Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a $50 million appropriation for the project, Florida Politics reports. The structure would house a newly created 6th District Court of Appeals. Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel, who had pushed for the new courthouse, told The Ledger she understands the veto in light of current elevated construction costs. ALSO: Tampa Bay Times
After 14 years in the Florida Legislature, Kelli Stargel has entered the crowded Republican primary for an open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the second prominent Lakeland politician to do so. More
Former Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson will challenge state Rep. Colleen Burton for the Republican Party nod in August’s primary in the newly refashioned Florida Senate District 12. More
Another Republican has joined the primary race to represent a U.S. House district that includes the western half of Lakeland. Previously, the District 15 primary battle had been between former U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland, former Florida Rep. Jackie Toledo of Tampa, and retired Navy Cmd. Demetries Grimes of Poinciana. Now Jay Collins of Tampa has entered the race, the Tampa Bay Times reports. He had been considered the front-runner in the GOP primary to oppose Democratic District 14 incumbent Kathy Castor, but reapportionment left that district more Democrat-leaning and opened a vacancy in a Republican-leaning, redrawn 15th District.
Lakeland would be divided among three separate U.S. House districts, under a redistricting map being considered by Florida legislators as they meet in a special session that started today. More
Action by Florida lawmakers to create a new appeals court district based in St. Petersburg clears the way to build a $50 million courthouse in Lakeland for the 2nd District Court of Appeals, Florida Politics reports. The Lakeland courthouse will be named after the late Judge Oliver L. Green, under a legislative deal sealed on Tuesday. | ALSO: Tampa Bay Times | Judge Green’s August 2021 obituary
The Florida Legislature convened last week and, once again, the 60-day legislative session will be marked by power struggles with cities and counties as state lawmakers have submitted more than 40 bills that cuff local government regulatory authority or cede municipal control to the state. More
Benny Valentin of Poinciana filed last February to run next November for the Florida Senate District 22 seat being vacated by the term-limited Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, and hasn’t been heard from since. More
The race to succeed term-limited Rep. Colleen Burton in next fall’s Florida House District 40 election features two familiar names with long local legacies and two newcomers — a Libertarian educator and a 22-year-old pilot. More
Lakeland would be part of a Polk-based new Congressional district under the first draft of redistricting maps released Wednesday by the Florida Senate. More
