Anti-immigrant extremism and economic reality collide in Tallahassee
Florida in Five: Five stories to read from the past week in Florida politics.
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Welcome to another installment of Florida in Five: Five* stories you need to read from the past week in Florida politics.
Tourism industry lobbyists quietly pitched Florida lawmakers on a plan last year to protect businesses that employ undocumented immigrants.
That’s according to a fascinating new scoop from McKenna Schueler of the Orlando Weekly, who unearthed a proposal from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association through a series of public-records requests.
Dubbed the “Essential Worker Act,” the plan would have created a new state program in which undocumented immigrants already in Florida could obtain permits for themselves and family members entitling them to legally work in the state.
Though it’s never explicitly stated in the records, the tourism lobby seems to have conceived of the idea in response to a harsh new state law that, among other things, threatens criminal and civil penalties for undocumented workers and their employers. That anti-immigration law, passed as DeSantis was preparing to challenge Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, has contributed to worker shortages in industries that rely on immigrant labor, like tourism, construction, and agriculture.
The draft legislation from the restaurant and lodging association specifically warns of a labor shortage in Florida. “The Legislature recognizes that there is an insufficient workforce in the state, which will lead to a significant reduction in economic activity and have a deleterious impact on the state's businesses, families, and communities,” it reads.
The FRLA — whose members include theme-park giants Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, restaurant chains like Outback and Olive Garden, and hotel operators like Marriott — ultimately chose not to pursue the idea last session. That’s why it didn’t become public until Schueler discovered it in records requests.
But an association lobbyist also said they hope to “revisit this issue in the future,” according to one of the emails Schueler obtained.
It's not the only immigration issue that could be back on the table in Tallahassee, either. Sen. Jay Collins, a Republican from Tampa, last week filed a bill for the 2025 legislative session that would make it easier for farming companies to build on-site housing for migrant workers.
Senate Bill 84 is a carbon copy of legislation that Collins sponsored during the Legislature’s 2024 session. Backed by the agricultural industry, that version of the bill passed the state House 113-0 and Senate 34-0 – only to be vetoed by DeSantis amid more anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Both of these stories illustrate the rising tension between the extreme hostility to immigrants stoked by right-wing politicians and media personalities — and the economic realities of large swaths of the U.S. economy that need their labor. The ratchet will tighten even further if President-elect Trump follows through on his promise to launch mass deportations around the country.
The problem is especially acute in Florida. The state is now home to an estimated 1.2 million unauthorized immigrants, more than every state except California and Texas. That’s 5 percent of Florida’s population — one in every 20 people in the state. And the state’s tourism- and construction-driven economy is utterly dependent on them.
Republican politicians in Tallahassee ducked this issue so far. They’ve attempted to paper over labor shortages with ideas like putting more kids to work while dodging questions about the bigger picture.
But, clearly, this issue isn’t going away.
*To paraphrase Barbossa, five is more what you’d call a guideline than an actual rule.
Punishing kids to win a political fight
DeSantis health officials to delay KidCare expansion until after Trump takes office (Orlando Sentinel) ($)
And yet Deloitte keeps getting contracts
Florida’s Deloitte-run computer system cut off new moms entitled to Medicaid (KFF Health News)
Florida 451
Too 'Wicked'? Novel that spawned movie is often removed from Florida school shelves (Tallahassee Democrat) ($)
Condo boards under corporate control
A corporation took over their condo. This Florida law made it possible (Tampa Bay Times) ($)
This is fine
Florida’s insurance commissioner urging legislators not to enact any more reforms next spring (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) ($)
Perspectives
The ghoulish greed of Tampa Electric and Florida’s regulators (Tampa Bay Times) ($)
I had a front-row seat to Pam Bondi’s messy stint as attorney general (Orlando Sentinel) ($)
Drilling for oil in the Apalachicola River Basin? No idea too insane in Florida (Florida Times-Union) ($)
What is bizarre is that the public actually believes there isn't "enough people in Florida". That's insane and stupid economics education at it's best.
This is a seasonal economy. There is no way in hell anyone can make enough profit in 4 months and have a savings and pay for the 9 months of expenses. If they are honest, these small businesses have other locations in TN, KY, etc.
Workers deserve PAY (not tax cutting) and year around work. People leave all the time unless they want the punishment of debt.
The public keeps blaming Dems when they haven't had power in Tallahassee for more than 20 years. The last Dems Chair prior to Nikki Fried was a billionaire. He trashed it.
Housing is OVER appraised. But by now, no reporters talk about 2008 - do they ;0 even though it's part of the systemic failure of the Florida economy.
Jason, as always - we appreciate your reporting because there isn't local coverage anymore.
A few things: How does the State Attorney drop felony charges against Carolina Amesty? Was it because she completed a "diversion program" that included community service and a financial crimes course? Of course it was. White collar criminals get off easy once again. Mark my words, she'll be involved in some other nonsense later on.
KidCare and the Party of family values.....Just for laughs and maybe a cry, read up on the story of Florida versus children and their families fighting to get and maintain health coverage in the state of Florida. Once more Florida is soaking money from Florida taxpayers to protest and object keeping kids healthy by maintaining the very basic healthcare. Mind you, these protests don't happen when kids are still in the womb rather the state waits until they leave the womb. It is then that the state of Florida goes full battle mode trying to keep children from getting adequate healthcare. It's absolutely disgusting!!