Seeking Rents – The Podcast

Jason Garcia
  • 4.9 (53)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

"Rent-seeking" is a term in economics that describes when a corporation uses its political influence to twist tax laws and other public policy in its favor. Seeking Rents – The Podcast brings you the stories of how that's happening in Florida, where corporate interests like Florida Power & Light, Big Sugar, and Walt Disney World wield enormous influence everywhere from local city halls to the state Capitol. Hosted by award-winning journalist Jason Garcia, Florida's leading corporate-accountability reporter. jasongarcia.substack.com

  1. Season change

    21h ago

    Season change

    In this episode: Following a last-minute blitz of vetoes by the governor — including half a dozen bills and more than $800 million in spending — the 2026 legislative season has finally come to an end in Florida. Which means election season is here. But before campaign coverage crowds everything else out, we take a closer look at some of the bills Gov. Ron DeSantis decided to stop from becoming law. The doctors’ lobby is pleased with his choices. MAHA activists are not. Correction: During the podcast, I incorrectly referred to a bill dealing with e-bike regulations by the wrong bill number. The correct bill number is below. Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 688 — Naturopathic Medicine Passed the House of Representatives by an 85-22 vote (vote sheet) and the Senate by a 33-3 vote (vote sheet). See the governor’s veto letter here. House Bill 893 — Trust Fund Interest for Purposes Approved by Supreme Court Passed the House of Representatives by a 112-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Senate by a 38-0 vote (vote sheet). Read the governor’s veto letter here. House Bill 461 — Volunteering at Polling Locations Passed the House of Representatives by a 108-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 37-0 vote (vote sheet). Read the governor’s veto letter here. Senate Bill 382 — Micromobility Devices Passed the House of Representatives by a 112-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Senate by a 37-0 vote (vote sheet). Read the governor’s veto letter here. The stories discussed in today’s show: DeSantis cuts free tax prep for working families but approves money for Mike Huckabee A tour of Florida’s new state budget, from money for Mike Huckabee to tax cuts for casinos Banks lobbyists want to slash funding for legal support programs Amid a growing national witch hunt for abortion medication, Florida may fund testing for ‘contaminants’ in toilet water An Attorney General-backed vendor pitched wastewater surveillance program Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min
  2. Wasting billions but pleasing billionaires

    5d ago

    Wasting billions but pleasing billionaires

    In this episode: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed this week that the state is closing “Alligator Alcatraz” after one year — but not before paying out millions in “demobilization fees” to vendors who have already banked hundreds of millions building and operating the infamous immigrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades. Plus: A closer look at some recent favors Florida’s governor and Legislature have done for a few billionaire megadonors — including a car dealer, an insurance magnate, and a luxury hotel owner. Show notes The stories discussed in today’s show: Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” shutting down permanently, sources say Good Riddance to ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ a Cruel, Expensive, and Pointless Authoritarian Stunt Scrutiny mounts over DeSantis’s use of state funds for migrant flights Hidden consultants and hurried payments: Records reveal details of DeSantis’ campaign against abortion and marijuana amendments Ron DeSantis proposed delaying a tax break for Florida drivers until it was most helpful to his re-election campaign A favor for a billionaire car dealer and Republican megadonor, tucked inside a transportation law State lawmakers gave another gift to car dealers Industry leaders urge DeSantis to veto billionaire-backed insurance bill Florida tax package delivers gambling breaks to Soffer’s Big Easy The bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 488 — Transportation House Bill 291 and Senate Bill 352 — Common Entities of Motor Vehicle Distributors and Manufacturers Senate Bill 1028 — Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    45 min
  3. The other side of the equation

    Jun 16

    The other side of the equation

    In this episode: A new nonpartisan analysis of a proposed constitutional amendment to cut and cap property taxes across Florida finds that it could wipe out nearly a quarter of all local government property tax collections. It could also fuel further privatization around the state — of everything from electric utilities to animal shelters. Plus: How lobbyists for a national pet retailer weakened a new state law meant to end abusive sales practices in pet stores. And Florida says no to Donald Trump-backed tax cuts for corporations. Show notes The stories discussed in today’s show: State-backed ballot measure could wipe out a quarter of local property tax collections A national chain selling puppies for profit lobbied to weaken new rules for pet stores, records show A Koch-connected school choice contractor could get $2 million from Florida taxpayers Corporations could get a $3.5 billion tax break in Florida unless state lawmakers step in to stop it The bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 1004 — Domestic Animals Senate Bill 1356 — Handling of Animals (note: the animal shelter privatization language is in section 2 of the original text) House Bill 1451 — Utility Services House Bill 655 — Pub. Rec. and Pub. Meetings/Attorney Meetings to Discuss Private Property Rights Claims House Bill 7031 — Internal Revenue Code Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    50 min
  4. Same circus, different clowns

    Jun 3

    Same circus, different clowns

    In this episode: Twenty years ago, Republican leaders in Florida raced to get a radical property tax plan onto the statewide ballot — a plan that was negotiated largely in secret, sprung on the public at the last minute, and approved during a lighting-quick special session in June. If that sounds familiar, it’s because that is, beat for beat, what just happened again in Tallahassee, where Ron DeSantis and GOP lawmakers just rushed a giant property tax cut onto the November ballot that they don’t even fully understand. The irresponsible legislating blew up in their faces two decades ago. Will this time be any different? Show notes The bills discussed in today’s show: House Joint Resolution 1F — Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes Senate Bill 4F — Property Tax Administration The stories discussed in in today’s show: A new tax break for Trump appointees Perez defends tax break for diplomats after Brazil ambassador nod from Trump Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    44 min
  5. No way to run a railroad

    May 29

    No way to run a railroad

    In this episode: Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature has finally agreed on a new state budget, following a flurry of last-minute spending deals — most of them negotiated behind closed doors and sealed late on the Sunday night of a holiday weekend. The eleventh-hour additions to Florida’s $115 billion spending plan include provisions that could let the state buy more property from a big developer and donor; steer a $2 million education contract to a Koch-backed company; and pave the way for the use of artificial intelligence in an anti-hunger program that feeds nearly 3 million Floridians. Plus: Ron DeSantis signs a bill written by lobbyists for a mining company that recently donated $50,000 to his Super PAC. And the devolution of Florida’s public university system into a pure political patronage machine continues. Show notes Register here for the Seeking Rents + Welcome to Florida live event in Jacksonville The stories referenced in today’s show: A tour of Florida’s new state budget, from money for Mike Huckabee to tax cuts for casinos A last-minute budget measure could let Florida buy more land from a donor the state paid $83 million to last year A Koch-connected school choice contractor could get $2 million from Florida taxpayers Florida may hire an AI vendor to help decide which hungry families get grocery assistance Companies linked to a Trump appointee are seeking money from Florida taxpayers — and giving money to Florida lawmakers Florida is cutting funding for transit — and exposing the true cost of business tax breaks A management firm is poised to profit off plan to divert local property taxes to charter schools A right-wing news network lobbied Florida lawmakers to defund fact-checkers, records show Last-minute legislation could give more money to Publix, 7-Eleven and Circle K — but less to Florida students Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  6. Outsourcing prisons, selling lottery tickets and testing toilet water for drugs

    May 18

    Outsourcing prisons, selling lottery tickets and testing toilet water for drugs

    In this episode: Florida lawmakers might take more powers away from cities and towns, cut funding for a cross-state wildlife corridor, and start testing toilet water for drugs. They could give politicians more control over courses offered at public universities, let the attorney general dish out rich legal contracts with less scrutiny, and make taxpayers foot the bill for Ron DeSantis’ security even after he leaves office. And they may keep squeezing public employee unions, outsource more of the state’s prison system, and further expand the Florida Lottery. A look at some of the many projects and issues in play as Florida lawmakers meet in a special session to finalize a new state budget. Show notes Stories discussed in today’s show: Welcome to Florida, Episode 305: ‘Welcome to Florida’ x ‘Seeking Rents’ The budget shenanigans begin Budget update: Lawmakers may cut funding for the Florida Wildlife Corridor to pay for a small park in the Panhandle Amid a growing national witch hunt for abortion medication, Florida may fund testing for ‘contaminants’ in toilet water Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    55 min
  7. Florida voters passed reforms. Florida politicians are undoing them.

    May 2

    Florida voters passed reforms. Florida politicians are undoing them.

    In this episode: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just got the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature to pass new Congressional district maps that were intentionally drawn to violate an anti-gerrymandering constitutional amendment that was approved by nearly two-thirds of Florida voters. It’s a scheme meant not only to give Donald Trump and national Republicans an edge in the 2026 midterms — but also to give DeSantis-appointed courts an opening to eliminate those anti-gerrymandering amendments completely. But the governor failed to get lawmakers to go along with plans to regulate artificial intelligence and weaken school vaccine rules, as Florida’s GOP leadership quickly settled back into a year-long cold war. Plus: DeSantis marks International Workers’ Day by signing the single most anti-worker piece of legislation of the 2026 session. Show notes Stories discussed in today’s show: Florida lawmakers cede redistricting authority to executive power Counsel for DeSantis tells lawmakers they can ignore Fair Districts Amendments in approving new map Emails show right-wing group gave talking points to Florida GOP lawmaker on anti-union bill Did Florida’s attorney general break the law during a Martin Luther King Day legal stunt? DeSantis pushed lawmakers to purge Medicaid, records show Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
  8. Cold war thaw

    Apr 24

    Cold war thaw

    In this episode: After more than a year of hostilities, Republican leaders in the Florida House and Senate reached a budget deal just days before Gov. Ron DeSantis hauls them all to Tallahassee for a special session that some people seem to want no part of. What happens next — on gerrymandering, vaccines, artificial intelligence and more — remains a mystery. Plus: Corporate donors who need favors from the DeSantis administration are flooding money into a federal super PAC supporting the governor. And a look at what the charter school industry has been lobbying for in the state Capitol. Show notes Links and stories discussed in today’s show: House, Senate call 18-day budget special session for May 12-29 The DeSantis decisions: Quiet wins for homebuilders and car dealers Lobbyists for a mining company wrote a bill to block lawsuits over radiation on former mines Ron DeSantis PAC took $250,000 from Florida Power & Light after record-setting rate hike ‘Schools of Hope’ charter operator is moving into 5 Miami-Dade high schools Lobbyists for a billionaire and a charter network pushed Florida lawmakers to expand a school privatization program, records show A management firm is poised to profit off plan to divert local property taxes to charter schools Register now: Seeking Rents + Welcome to Florida: Live Meet & Greet (St. Pete) Register now: Seeking Rents + Welcome to Florida: Live Meet & Greet (Winter Park) Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min
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4.9
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About

"Rent-seeking" is a term in economics that describes when a corporation uses its political influence to twist tax laws and other public policy in its favor. Seeking Rents – The Podcast brings you the stories of how that's happening in Florida, where corporate interests like Florida Power & Light, Big Sugar, and Walt Disney World wield enormous influence everywhere from local city halls to the state Capitol. Hosted by award-winning journalist Jason Garcia, Florida's leading corporate-accountability reporter. jasongarcia.substack.com

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