Seeking Rents
Seeking Rents – The Podcast
Big Sugar’s grip on both political parties in Florida
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Big Sugar’s grip on both political parties in Florida

Ron DeSantis caved to Big Sugar. But so did lots of Florida Democrats.

In this episode: Progressive activist and Ron DeSantis antagonist Thomas Kennedy joins the show to talk about why the DeSantis bubble burst so spectacularly on the national stage and to call out some of the Florida politicians from both parties who take money — and marching orders — from Big Sugar. We also talk about DeSantis’ refusal to extend Florida’s voter registration as a monstrous hurricane looms off the coast and new campaigns targeting Republican lawmakers who have attacked and exploited immigrants.  

Show notes:

As promised on the show, here are links to watch the CBS Sunday Morning segment on the ways Florida’s anti-immigrant laws are hurting Florida farmers and to see the infamous Tallahassee billboard mocking a cosplaying governor pretending to be a fighter pilot.

You can also find lots more detail about the ways some top Florida Democrats teamed up with DeSantis and Florida Republicans to do Big Sugar’s bidding in these stories and podcasts:

After sugar’s $11 million investment, a bipartisan push to protect industry (Miami Herald)

Glades residents left behind: Nikki Fried’s ‘changes’ to cane burning served only Big Sugar (Palm Beach Post)

How Ron DeSantis and Nikki Fried Teamed Up to Defend Big Sugar (Seeking Rents – The Podcast)

Finally, make sure to check out Kennedy’s Podcast, Why Are We Like This, and to follow him on social media (@tomaskenn on Instagram and @tomaskenn on Twitter).

Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com

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Discussion about this podcast

Seeking Rents
Seeking Rents – The Podcast
"Rent-seeking" is a term in economics that describes when a corporation uses its political influence to twist tax laws and other public policy in its favor. Seeking Rents – The Podcast brings you the stories of how that's happening in Florida, where corporate interests like Florida Power & Light, Big Sugar, and Walt Disney World wield enormous influence everywhere from local city halls to the state Capitol. Hosted by award-winning journalist Jason Garcia, Florida's leading corporate-accountability reporter.