‘Expand and protect:’ DeSantis’ medical freedom bill OK’ed by Florida Senate

3 Gov. Ron DeSantis appointments central to Hope Florida confirmed by the Senate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Three state officials integral to the Hope Florida saga whose confirmations were held up last year amid a House probe were cleared by the Senate on Tuesday to officially hold appointments made by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Senate confirms secretaries tied to Hope Florida scandal, 150-plus other appointees

New AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris (L) and new DCF Secretary Taylor Hatch (R). (Photos via Gov. Ron DeSantis's social media)Despite investigations and probes, two top officials in the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis won’t have to leave their jobs. The Senate on Tuesday agreed to confirm Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris and Taylor Hatch, who heads the Department of Children and Families.  Harris and Hatch were inv…

Senate approves 5 members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission

All five members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) have been formally confirmed by the Senate. The Senate approved Julie Brown as Chair of the FGCC. The Senate’s action also reappoints John Michael D’Aquila and Tina Repp to continue their service on the panel. Gov. Ron DeSantis made two new appointments to the board: Peter Cuderman and William Spicola. Senators also approved both of those choices. The FGCC provides regulatory overs…

Despite the Hope Florida scandal, the Senate confirms three to key posts

by Gray Rohrer ©2026 The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The leaders of Florida’s health care and child welfare agencies will stay in their jobs after the Senate voted Tuesday to confirm them. Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris and Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch were appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. But they weren’t confirmed last year as a scandal involving the transfer of Medicaid se…

Despite Hope Florida scandal, Senate confirms three to key posts

The leaders of Florida’s health care and child welfare agencies will stay in their jobs after the Senate voted Tuesday to confirm them.

Florida Senate confirms DeSantis officials tied to Hope Florida controversy after tense debate

The Florida Senate on Tuesday confirmed two top DeSantis administration officials tied to the Hope Florida program, closing a politically charged chapter of the controversy after a tense floor debate that repeatedly revisited questions about a $10 million Medicaid settlement.Lawmakers voted to keep Shevaun Harris as secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration and Taylor Hatch as secretary of the Department of Children and Families two…