AGP Executive Report

Property Tax Fight: Florida lawmakers approved a sweeping constitutional amendment to expand the homestead exemption—raising it to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028—sending it to voters in November, with the measure requiring 60% approval and excluding school district levies after lawmakers added protections; local leaders warn it could cut revenue for services like fire, parks, and other local programs. AI in Education & Safety: Florida Attorney General filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, alleging ChatGPT safety risks were concealed and that the company put profit over public safety—sparking renewed pressure on how tech is handled around children and schools. Higher Ed Curriculum: The American Sociological Association criticized Florida’s move to remove “Introduction to Sociology” as a general education requirement, saying it narrows undergraduate learning and weakens workforce preparation. School Safety Funding: Florida’s budget includes $15 million for security upgrades at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Miami, covering items like fencing, glass, cameras, and additional safety officers. Student Health: A nonprofit is promoting low-cost heart screenings ahead of a July 1 law requiring first-time high school athletes to get screenings before practices or tryouts.

AI & Consumer Protection: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing ChatGPT of violating state consumer protection laws and harming children, including claims tied to school shooters and self-harm guidance. Property Taxes & Schools: Florida lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment for the November ballot that would expand homestead exemptions (to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028) while shielding school district levies, after local governments warned of major revenue hits to services. High School Sports Policy: FHSAA proposed an Open Division for multiple sports starting 2026-27, with top teams qualifying via MaxPreps rankings and a bracket format that includes round-robin play before single elimination. Teacher & Public School Funding Fight: The Florida Education Association criticized the 2026-27 budget as underfunding public schools, arguing teacher pay and student allocations don’t keep up with inflation and that voucher spending is prioritized. School Safety Tech: A first-in-nation drone safety system debuted at Godby High as districts look to expand emergency preparedness.

AI & Consumer Protection: Florida became the first state to sue OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging ChatGPT was marketed despite serious safety risks to children and others, including claims of addiction and harmful guidance; the lawsuit seeks damages and court orders. School Safety Tech: Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee will debut the RADAR system—AI gun detection plus 3D mapping and drones—during a summer summit, joining a broader push for faster threat response. Property Taxes & Public Education: Lawmakers advanced a DeSantis-backed homestead exemption expansion after committee amendments, with major debate over whether school funding is protected; critics warn local revenue losses could hit services and education. Higher Ed Funding: Florida’s preeminent university program lost $40 million in state support, leaving top research schools without expected money despite keeping the designation. Student Pathways & Mentoring: Take Stock in Children of Brevard will celebrate 41 graduating scholars June 4, highlighting mentoring and college-readiness support across district and charter schools. Sports (Local Schools): Pine Forest track standouts Anthony Gee and Darian Blanks signed to continue careers in college.

AI & Public Safety Lawsuit: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed the first state-level civil suit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging ChatGPT was marketed as safe while allegedly contributing to harms tied to the 2025 Florida State University shooting and other alleged violence and self-harm risks; the complaint seeks penalties and injunctive relief and names Altman personally. Higher Ed & Free Speech: A federal judge in Gainesville heard final testimony in a UF student expulsion case tied to antisemitic posts on X, with a ruling expected after final briefs. State Budget & Schools: Florida lawmakers finalized an education budget that raises the Base Student Allocation and adjusts voucher and teacher pay funding, alongside changes to higher education governance. Scholarships: Panter, Panter & Sampedro awarded 2026 scholarships to two Miami Palmetto Senior High students headed to Florida International University and Miami Dade College. Health Watch: Miami-Dade reported rising dengue risk and continued mosquito-control efforts as CDC data shows higher dengue activity nationwide. Campus/Community: UNF added $10 million for UNF’s Mathews Building remodeling in the new state budget, plus local safety and infrastructure projects.

Student Safety & Accountability: A St. Johns County principal, Katie O’Connell of Trout Creek Academy, was placed on paid administrative leave after a Fetty Wap lyric was attributed to her in the school yearbook; she says she didn’t approve it and the district says the action moves toward non-reappointment. Graduation Season: Lee County schools held large spring commencements, including Island Coast High School (331 seniors) and Mariner High School (400+), plus Ida S. Baker High School (about 434) at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alico Arena. Higher Ed & Athletics: Florida State College at Jacksonville reported spending $187,749 on men’s basketball in 2024, below the state average, while Florida’s NCAA baseball run ended after a loss to Troy in the Gainesville Regional final, setting up a winner-take-all rematch. College Recruiting Pressure: FSU recruiting took another hit as 4-star safety Mekhi Williams decommitted after an official visit to Wisconsin, raising concerns about the Seminoles’ 2027 class momentum. Public Health & Community: Google is seeking permission to release up to 64 million “good” mosquitoes in Florida and California over two years to cut disease-spreading populations.

College Sports Drama: Tennessee-Texas Tech’s WCWS classic got overshadowed by a postgame handshake-line dispute, with Texas Tech’s Taylor Pannell accusing coach Karen Weekly of a negative comment; Weekly denied it and said she only said “good game.” Local College Baseball: Florida crushed Miami 22-10 in the Gainesville Regional, blasting a program-record seven homers (including three straight) and moving one win from a Super Regional berth. Student Life & Community: Raising Cane’s opened a second Gainesville location with a “Lucky 20” giveaway that drew early-morning lines from UF students and families hoping for free food for a year. Learning & Grants: Volusia and Flagler student innovators won grant funding through Generation IMPACT’s Social Innovation Fund Pitch Competition, backing projects aimed at expanding access to arts and other community needs. Public Safety Training: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is urging residents to learn CPR and AED skills during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, emphasizing that quick action can save lives before responders arrive. K-12 Milestones: Lee County’s Dunbar and Riverdale High School Class of 2026 graduations drew hundreds of seniors at Florida SouthWestern State College’s Suncoast Arena.

Graduation Season in Lee County: South Fort Myers High School celebrated its Class of 2026 on May 29 at Florida SouthWestern State College, joining thousands of Lee County graduates. Virtual Learning Milestone: Florida Virtual School held a graduation ceremony at UCF for nearly 1,500 students, its largest class since the pandemic-era shift to online learning. College Sports Spotlight (UF/Miami): Florida and Miami set for a Gainesville Regional winners-bracket matchup after the Hurricanes beat Troy 10-5; Florida advanced past Rider and will start SEC pitcher of the year Aidan King. Health & Safety for Students: Florida health officials warn that Vibrio vulnificus “flesh-eating” bacteria is ramping up for summer, with cases already outpacing last year. Policy Watch: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 905, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, tightening rules around foreign gifts, ethics disclosures, and partnerships tied to countries of concern. Community Support: A Jacksonville church hosted a mental health summit aimed at reducing stigma and connecting residents with local resources.

State Budget & Early Learning: Florida lawmakers approved a roughly $114B budget, including nearly $1B for school readiness. Alachua County’s Early Learning Coalition gets $11M+, Marion County $16M+, and smaller North Central programs share about $11.5M. Property Tax Plan Sparks School Fears: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to sharply reduce or eliminate property taxes for homesteads is drawing confusion and anxiety from local officials, with concerns about funding gaps for services including schools. Education Policy Pitch: GOP gubernatorial contender Rep. Byron Donalds unveiled an education plan built around personalized student roadmaps starting in 6th grade, tied to credits and real-world career experience. Local School Milestones: South Fort Myers High held graduation for the Class of 2026; Seabreeze High’s ceremony highlighted strong college/career readiness and dual-enrollment outcomes. Charter Expansion Debate: A Palm Harbor vacant site could become an 800-student K-8 public charter, but neighbors cite traffic and density concerns. Campus Safety Tragedy: A UF nursing student set to graduate this summer was killed in a Gainesville shooting. STEM & Student Achievement: Patrick Henry Local Schools students earned science-fair honors, including an international Regeneron competition appearance.

School Choice Oversight: Florida’s latest budget keeps pouring money into the Family Empowerment Scholarship even after an audit found the state Department of Education lacked proper oversight, leaving overspent voucher funds unresolved. Higher Ed Funding: Florida’s preeminent fund for top public universities is cut from the 2026-27 budget, ending extra state rewards for FSU, UF, USF and FIU. State Budget & Universities: Lawmakers also moved to cut extra funds for top universities, including FSU, as the state budget deal heads toward final votes. Public Education Pressure: Teachers’ groups are warning that DeSantis’ property-tax plan could hit schools hard, with unions calling the stakes “enormous.” Local College Leadership: Angelo State University named a new dean for its business college, bringing leadership experience from Florida Gulf Coast University. Student Recognition & Community: Central Florida’s Applause Awards set for Saturday with more than $220K in scholarships, while Usha Vance promoted summer reading to fight learning loss. Sports & Student-Athletes: Florida’s Elite 11 MVP pipeline highlights the state’s dominance at the high school level, with Florida producing the most MVPs since 1999.

College admissions & access: UF will add an early decision option for Fall 2027 applicants, with decisions by Dec. 11 and a contractual enrollment commitment. Student aid outcomes: Miami-Dade County Public Schools posted the highest Florida FAFSA completion rate for 2025-26 at 59.8%, beating the statewide 50.9% average. Local school growth: A proposed Palm Harbor K-8 charter school is drawing pushback from nearby residents over traffic and environmental concerns. Teacher recognition: Palm Beach Public Elementary’s Katie Judge was named 2026 Mentor of the Year. Higher ed research: Florida Tech’s Marco Carvalho was elected to the Academy of Science, Engineering & Medicine of Florida. Sports as education pipeline: Florida’s NCAA baseball run starts Friday at the Gainesville Regional vs. Rider, and the Women’s College World Series field is set in Oklahoma City after super regionals.

Property Tax Fight: Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling a special session starting Monday to advance his “Save Our Homes” plan, which would raise homestead exemptions to $250,000 immediately and phase toward $500,000—aimed at shielding about 92% of homesteaded homeowners—while also tightening how local governments can use property-tax revenue. College Savings Boost: Florida Prepaid is opening its Prepaid 529 plans for year-round enrollment for the first time in more than 35 years, and it’s pairing the change with a National 529 Day push: babies born May 29 get a $529 scholarship. Public Health Watch: Florida reported four new measles cases, bringing the 2026 total to 154, as health officials warn more cases could come with summer travel. School Safety Tech: A Broward judge’s red-light camera dismissal is prompting renewed debate over speed enforcement in school zones, with legal experts saying the ruling is case-specific and not a statewide ban. Workforce Training: IEC-FECC held a graduation for 70 electrical apprentices at Palm Beach State College, highlighting classroom and on-the-job training pathways into skilled trades.

Historic Preservation: Florida’s second-oldest schoolhouse, built in 1885, was moved to the Holly Hill History Museum for restoration, with original features like a bookshelf and student coat-and-lunch closet still inside. High School Sports Honors: Southwest Florida’s high school athletes and coaches were celebrated at the 2026 Sports Awards in Fort Myers, including Mariner’s Alessandro Gonzalez as boys athlete of the year and Barron Collier’s Abi Burke as girls athlete of the year. College Recruiting: Venice left-hander Carter Cox flipped his commitment from FAU to the University of Florida after a visit to Gainesville, giving the Gators another pitching prospect. State Policy Watch: Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing a special legislative session on a “Save Our Homes” plan that would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 immediately, with a path toward eliminating property taxes for most homeowners—while raising questions about how local services would be funded. Higher Ed Leadership: UF’s presidential search finalist Stuart Bell was selected as the sole finalist, setting up next steps for board approvals.

Higher Ed & Student Life: Florida’s $114.5B state budget is finalized, with record K-12 funding and teacher pay money plus major health care and infrastructure spending—setting up a Friday vote. K-12 Safety & Access: Pinellas Park elementary students are getting free swim and water-safety lessons during the school day through a partnership with CFY’s Fred Fisher Water Safety Program. College Sports Policy: A bipartisan college athletics bill—aimed at NIL and transfer chaos—was unveiled amid ongoing lawsuits and debate over eligibility rules. Local Higher Ed Funding: Gov. DeSantis backed Hillsborough College campus funding tied to the Rays’ $10-per-year lease deal, as questions continue about the public value of land. Civic & School Funding Politics: At a Legislative Coffee, Missouri lawmakers faced pressure over school funding and voucher policy, with critics warning public money is being diverted to private, mostly religious schools. Public Finance & Services: DeSantis announced a special session to put property tax elimination for homesteads on the November ballot, a move that could reshape local funding for schools and other services.

State Budget & Courts: Florida lawmakers finalized a roughly $115B budget after Memorial Day weekend talks, with new money aimed at AI and HIV medication support, while a judge kept the state’s congressional map in place for the 2026 election despite gerrymandering claims. USF to New College: The budget also bakes in the transfer of USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College of Florida. K-12 Funding & Rules: Gov. DeSantis signed bills letting districts use booster-raised funds to help pay coaches and expand eligibility rules, plus a “Teddy Bridgewater Act” change allowing coaches to use up to $15,000 of personal funds for student-athlete welfare. School Safety & Discipline: A Daytona Beach daycare teacher was fired and charged in a child abuse case. Higher Ed & Civics: FSU launched “Founding Voices,” using live historical interpreters with a $1.7M federal grant to reach about 40,000 students. College Sports Governance: Tennessee AD Danny White pushed for a collective bargaining agreement as SEC spring meetings continue to swirl around playoff expansion and NIL rules.

USF Sarasota-Manatee Transfer: Florida lawmakers sealed a budget deal to shift control of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida, with the vote expected Friday—after months of student anxiety about academic futures and funding. Campus Safety & Courts: The Florida State University shooting suspect, Phoenix Ikner, is set to appear in court Tuesday as prosecutors seek the death penalty. Reading Recession: A new national report warns the U.S. is in a “reading recession,” with only a handful of states showing meaningful gains since 2022. Free Speech Fallout: An Indiana university will pay $225,000 to settle a lawsuit over firing an employee for a Facebook post criticizing Charlie Kirk. College Sports Culture: Jason Williams says he won’t return to UF’s campus unless his daughter plays there again—after the tense Gainesville Super Regional. K-12 Summer Access: Planet Fitness is offering free summer gym passes for teens statewide through Aug. 31.

State Budget Deal: Florida lawmakers finalized a nearly $115B budget over Memorial Day weekend, setting up a Friday vote and sending the plan to Gov. Ron DeSantis—while also locking in $514M for Everglades restoration and a $150M tax relief package that includes hurricane-ready window and door sales tax exemptions. K-12 & Campus Life: Teacher Appreciation Week got a splash of color at Longwood Elementary, where Florida Paints and DML Paintings unveiled a donated outdoor mural. Sports & Education Culture: The SEC spring meetings kicked off in Destin with commissioner Greg Sankey saying the conference has “time” and isn’t expecting College Football Playoff decisions immediately. College Baseball: Florida State will host an NCAA regional in Tallahassee for a third straight year, while Florida earned the No. 8 national seed for the Gainesville Regional. Student Safety & Tragedy: A USF student’s final text before a wrong-way drunk driving crash has renewed attention on road safety.