Hope Florida Foundation officials answer questions in Tallahassee, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer reacts to a demand to change the city's approach to immigration enforcement. 

Hope Florida officials answer questions in Tallahassee

Members of the Florida House questioned leaders of Hope Florida, an organization that has been championed by First Lady Casey DeSantis.

And as that panel was taking place, Gov. Ron DeSantis was holding a press conference and seemingly took aim at Florida House Republicans over the Hope Florida concerns.

“It’s one thing to do nothing, right? It’s another thing to actively empower the Democrats and the left. That’s exactly what they’re doing in the House of Representatives this legislative session. These smears against Hope Florida, anybody who is making those smears is not serving you well,” DeSantis said.

Previous Coverage: 'Shame on you,' DeSantis responds to Hope Florida allegations

During the hearing today, lawmakers didn’t dispute the good the foundation is doing, but they did have questions about the money.

Rep. Alex Andrade: “About how large is the normal grant that the hope foundation issues?”

Joshua Hay: “There’s individual and organizational grants. The organizational grants vary and the individual grants. The average is about $1500 to $2500.”

Rep. Alex Andrade: “How many $5 million grants has the Hope Florida Foundation issued?”

Joshua Hay: “Two.”

Rep. Alex Andrade: “Have they issued any larger grants than $5 million?”

Joshua hay: “Have not.”

During the questioning it was revealed that Mohammad Jazil is an attorney for Keep Florida Clean, the PAC of which Attorney General James Uthmeier was the chair. The group fought against amendment three when it was on the ballot in 2024.

It was revealed that he did legal work for Hope Florida as well.

Rep. Alex Andrade: “When did he first become the legal representative for the Hope Florida Foundation?”

Joshua Hay: “I’ve been working with Mr. Jazil for about a month.”

Rep. Alex Andrade: “About a month. Who approached who?”

Joshua Hay: “Through existing council Jeff Aaron.”

Rep. Alex Andrade: “Jeff Aaron connected you with Mohammad Jazil, the attorney for Keep Florida Clean, to help Hope Florida’s foundation in complying with the paperwork, to retroactively justify this payment. Is that what I am hearing right now? Members, I am sorry, I am a little flabbergasted at this revelation.”

Rep. Alex Andrade (R-District 2)

While state lawmakers were grilling Hope Florida officials, the governor was holding a press conference to celebrate the foundation in Pensacola, which is in Andrade’s district.

First Lady Casey DeSantis was there, too, and spoke about why she created Hope Florida.

“I had the chance to get in front of a lot of groups across the state, and in particular in the child welfare sphere and mental health,” she said. “I went around and I learned from a lot of the key stakeholders. And it was fueled by the fact I hate to see people suffer.”

Casey DeSantis is rumored to be running for governor, and Hope Florida would be something she could campaign on.

DeSantis alluded to the possibility of Casey’s run earlier today.

“And look, some people feel threatened by the first lady, lets be clear about that. You saw her up here. If you are looking at 2026, and you’ve got some horse, you don’t want her anywhere near that. You are very worried, because she runs circles around their people. Everybody knows that,” DeSantis said of the first lady.

The Hope Florida Foundation says there will be a virtual meeting this Thursday and it will be open to the public.

A bill to codify Hope Florida is going through the Florida Senate right now.

It was supposed to be up for discussion in a Senate committee meeting this morning, but it was postponed.

The proposal, CS 1144, would but Hope Florida under the direct control of the Office of the Governor.

Senate President Ben Albritton spoke to CBS Miami this weekend and said he is optimistic the bill will pass this session. 

A bill analysis compiled by the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services said that Hope Florida works to pair clients with "resources from faith-based, non-profit government, and private sector entities," to reach its goals. 

Hope Florida, according to the document, was implemented by the Department of Children and Families beginning in August 2020. It also includes the Hope Florida Fund, which is the charity arm of the organization, as well as Activate Hope, the Hope Line, and Hope Florida, among other services. 

State Rep. Alex Andrade says the Florida House could use its subpoena power to get more answers.

Orlando Mayor responds to Florida Attorney General's message on immigration enforcement

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a warning to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

In the letter, Uthmeier says the city’s “Trust Act” is void under current state law. The act prevents city employees, including the Orlando Police Department, from asking people who report crimes, or who are pulled over for non-criminal traffic violations about their immigration status.

Uthmeier warned that if the policy is enforced, potential penalties could include holding officials in contempt or removal from office.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says he plans to abide by state and federal immigration laws during his interview with Political Connections.

Uthmeier responded by saying that he appreciated the fact that Orlando would follow state and federal laws in a post on X.