Emily L. Mahoney

Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau

Emily L. Mahoney covers state politics and government accountability for the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee bureau.

Ron DeSantis to meet with Netanyahu while in Israel next week

Florida’s governor has expressed admiration for Israel’s prime minister in the past, but Netanyahu is currently embroiled in a corruption scandal.

By Emily L. Mahoney May 23 at 1:41 PM

DeSantis, Florida Cabinet’s trip to Israel will include top-tier lobbyists, academics

The governor’s office released a list of attendees on Wednesday. The official trip begins Saturday.

By Emily L. Mahoney May 22 at 12:29 PM

How an unpredictable Ron DeSantis is advancing Florida conservatism

In his first legislative session as Florida’s leader, DeSantis defied easy political categorization. Lawmakers describe an ideological and assertive governor who nevertheless rolled with the give-and-take of lawmaking.

By Emily L. Mahoney and Steve Contorno May 17

Seminole Tribe halts $350 million annual casino payment to Florida

The Tribe hand-delivered a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, saying that it will stop paying the state of Florida while the state and the Tribe settle a years-long dispute over multiplayer games.

By Samantha J. Gross and Emily L. Mahoney May 14

Ron DeSantis ‘not allowed’ to disclose which two Florida counties were hacked by Russians

Gov. Ron DeSantis said two counties had their elections information accessed, but the hackers weren’t able to change or “manipulate” any data.

By Emily L. Mahoney May 14

Donald Trump in full 2020 campaign mode in Panama City Beach

The president’s rally in the Panhandle on Wednesday brought him back to his campaign roots, as he declared the dangers of “open borders” and “sanctuary cities."

By Emily L. Mahoney May 9

Trump holds rally, amid debris, in Florida’s Panhandle

It’s believed the more than 200 days since Hurricane Michael struck is the longest a modern Congress has taken to deliver aid after a storm. That makes Panama City Beach an unusual setting for Wednesday’s political rally.

By Emily L. Mahoney May 8

Ron DeSantis signs arming teachers bill, law goes into effect Oct. 1

Although the 54-page Senate Bill 7030 sparked days of debate and was one of the most contentious bills of the 2019 legislative session, DeSantis drew as little attention as possible in making it law.

By Emily L. Mahoney May 8

Who are the six Republican Florida lawmakers who voted against the bill allowing teachers to be armed?

In the House, five Republicans voted against the bill, all of whom are freshmen.

By Emily L. Mahoney May 8

Florida Legislature 2019: What passed and what failed

Lawmakers passed about 10 percent of 1,861 bills that were filed.

By Samantha J. Gross, Elizabeth Koh, Emily L. Mahoney, Kathleen McGrory, Lawrence Mower, Jeffrey S. Solochek and Langston Taylor May 6

Here’s how Florida Republican lawmakers got their way in 2019

A more active governor, a more conservative Supreme Court and transactional new leaders in the House and Senate led to a wave of successes. Oh, and where were the Democrats?

By Lawrence Mower, Samantha J. Gross, Elizabeth Koh and Emily L. Mahoney May 4

Changes to Bright Futures test score requirements passed by Florida Legislature

The test scores required to be eligible for the college scholarships will rise as a result of this bill, which has surfaced past concerns about low-income students getting shut out.

By Emily L. Mahoney May 4

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