Follow what Florida’s Legislature is doing via text message

The Tampa Bay Times is helping you separate the politics from the policy while state lawmakers are at work — by sending you the latest from Tallahassee directly to your phone.

Introducing ConText, a free service from the Times during this year’s 60-day legislative session.

It’s easy to sign up: Just provide your phone number below and hit send. Confirm your number via text and you’re good to go!

If you are unable to see the signup field on your device, click here to enter your number. You can also text “context” to (813) 212-2598. We will never share your phone number with anyone else, and you can opt out any time you feel like it.

We’ll provide news updates and insight on the issues, with coverage from Times reporters and editors, including political editor Steve Contorno and Tallahassee reporters Lawrence Mower and Kirby Wilson. (They also will be writing a special weekly edition of The Buzz politics newsletter, called Capitol Buzz, on Saturdays during the session. Sign up for that here.)

You’ll be able to ask them questions directly through your phone. When we answer, it will be right to you and no one else.

ConText will operate through May, helping you navigate the issues that state lawmakers are tackling during this session.

This text service uses a third-party app called Subtext, and was funded in part through a grant from the American Press Institute’s Trusted Elections Network Fund. Donors are not involved in the reporting or editing process.

At the end, we may ask you how you liked the service, and whether you’d like to continue getting texts from us. We’re depending on your participation, so sign up for ConText today!

We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.