JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The new legislative session in the state of Florida begins in less than 3 weeks. Hundreds of bills will be proposed in the legislature to help families across the state of Florida, including Jacksonville. First Coast News spoke with State Senator Tracie Davis, who has eyes on next year and the years to come.
Democrat Davis said she has received commitments from her colleagues in the Senate to become the minority leader of the State Senate in 2026. While she's currently focused on the upcoming session, she said that she's already working with Republican politicians in Northeast Florida on ways to make life better for people who live there.
"I know we'll move towards a more cohesive partnership and get back to the business Floridians need us to get back to and it's making sure they have the best quality of life," said Davis.
Part of that includes getting a handle on skyrocketing home insurance premiums and helping Florida home owners after multiple insurance companies pulled out of the state. Davis said some legislators have connections and experience with insurance companies at a national level.
"Those leaders have been a part of those initial conversations, continual conversations and they're looking to create some avenues of relief for policy holders," said Davis.
As far as further relief for Florida families, Davis said the legislature will renew and introduce more sales tax holidays for household items.
"I know with a $16 billion surplus that was thrown out to us where we left this last committee week that we will use some of those dollars to ensure that those tax holidays we're providing are extended for families to feel some of those reliefs," said Davis.
Last year a bill to prevent the removal of confederate monuments was voted down. A similar bill was reintroduced this year to keep confederate monuments in place throughout the state.
"That's not for the state to do," said Davis, "I think the state needs to stay out of county's businesses and how they deal with monuments. I would like the monuments to be placed in a location where they still can be viewed and talked about in a historical manner."
Another bill expected to hit the Senate floor has a focus on training the next generation of healthcare workers.
"The bill that I heard has an $800 million price tag," said Davis, "so Florida is ready to spend money to deal with professional work shortages in the healthcare industry."
Davis also said that she expects law makers to be able to buckle down and get to work when the legislative session begins on January 9.
"I think it's going to be really quiet," said Davis, "we have a governor who's off running for president and I don't think he's going to spend too much time on what the Florida legislature is doing this session."
Davis also said that she loves the idea of Jacksonville being the next stop for the high speed rail Brightline, but added that railway experts don't believe Jacksonville is currently a viable option for their next station because of a lack of infrastructure around the most logical station location, the convention center.