Seeking Rents – The Podcast

Jason Garcia
  • 4.9 (59)
  • 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. 3d ago

    Nobody likes to lose

    In this episode: Earlier this year, Ron DeSantis and state legislators enacted a new law forcing Florida’s public nonprofit insurance company to set up a program pushing condo owners into higher-priced private insurance. The law was written in part by lobbyists for an insurance brokerage led by a billionaire megadonor that wanted to make money managing the new program on the state’s behalf. But that company just missed out on the contract for the job. Plus: Lobbyists for real estate agents are bankrolling a ballot measure that could drive up home prices (and agent commissions). And the Hope Florida scandal continues to shake up Florida’s November elections, as Attorney General James Uthmeier and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody try desperately to dodge question about their roles in the $10 million scheme. Show notes To make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here. Stories discussed in today’s show: An insurance company led by a billionaire megadonor wrote a law pushing Florida condo owners into higher-priced property insurance Amendment 3 could increase home prices across Florida — and real estate agents love it Real estate agents just put $10 million into campaign to pass property tax amendment The net tightens around key figures in the Hope Florida scandal Conflicting testimony and foggy memories: How the Hope Florida grand jury found wrongdoing but no wrongdoers 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

    Nobody likes to lose

  2. Sep 8

    The bipartisan plot to take out Florida's best senator (update)

    In this episode: Newspapers across Florida have been pulling back the curtain on schemes orchestrated by political consultants working on behalf of a small number of big corporate clients, including utility giant Florida Power & Light. Many of their plans focused on one target in particular: José Javier Rodriguez, a Cuban-American Democrat from Miami who was once seen as a future candidate for governor — but is now out of office thanks to a ghost. (This is an update of a podcast that initially aired in July 2022. The story has become newly relevant now that the guy many people know simply as “JJR” is running for attorney general — against James Uthmeier, the politician at the center of the Hope Florida scandal.) Show notes To make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here. For more information about the Urban Land Institute Central Florida’s Oct. 1 panel on Amendment 3, click here. The webinar with Welcome to Florida cohost and candidate for Florida House District 15 Chadd Charland about the importance of state government will be held Wednesday evening (Sept. 9), starting at 8 pm. To join the Zoom conversation, click here. Stories discussed in today’s show: Operatives working with FPL plotted primary challenge for Miami senator Powerbrokers: How FPL secretly took over a Florida news site and used it to bash critics Firm working for FPL took control of news site, let execs influence coverage, records show ‘Unsettling,’ ‘un-American’: FPL consultant obtained personal information, surveillance photo of journalist Nate Monroe Dark power: How FPL, other utilities neutralize opponents, grow profits Conflicting testimony and foggy memories: How the Hope Florida grand jury found wrongdoing but no wrongdoers Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

    The bipartisan plot to take out Florida's best senator (update)

  3. Sep 2

    Hope Florida fallout

    In this episode: The release of a bombshell grand jury report into the $10 million “Hope Florida” affair has rocked the state’s political landscape two months before the election. James Uthmeier, the former Ron DeSantis chief of staff at the center of the scandal who the governor then promoted to attorney general, threatened a television reporter simply for asking him a question about it. Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate to become DeSantis’ successor, initially dismissed the issue but is now trying to reassure voters that he will demand reform. And pollsters are scurrying to figure out who Floridians ultimately blame for what the grand jury called “a sophisticated scheme” to spend taxpayer money on political campaigns. Plus: Updates on the state-altering property tax proposal that will appear on the November ballot and a developer-backed law that continues to cause chaos in local communities around the state. Show notes For more information about the Urban Land Institute Central Florida’s Oct. 1 panel on Amendment 3, click here. The webinar with Welcome to Florida cohost and candidate for Florida House District 15 Chadd Charland about the importance of state government will be held the evening of Sept. 9, starting at 8 pm. You will be able to join the Zoom conversation at this link. To watch the Florida Center for Government Accountability’s Aug. 26 webinar on Hope Florida, click here. To make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here. Stories discussed in today’s show: Conflicting testimony and foggy memories: How the Hope Florida grand jury found wrongdoing but no wrongdoers ‘Are you trying to solicit a crime?’: Florida attorney general launches into tirade when questioned about Hope Florida Florida AG says he wasn’t a grand jury target. So why didn’t he testify? Donalds dismisses Jolly’s call for new Hope Florida investigation as ‘politics’ Donalds and Jolly call for Hope Florida reforms after scathing grand jury report The legal loophole Florida is using to keep people locked in cages in the Everglades Property Tax Cuts Under Amendment 3 Would Lead to Reductions in Services for Some Florida Hospitals Senate Bill 180 strikes again Attorney General James Uthmeier is raising hundreds of thousands from firms he hired 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

    Hope Florida fallout

  4. Aug 27

    ‘A sophisticated scheme,’ exposed

    In this episode: A scathing grand jury report — one that some of the most powerful politicians in Florida tried to keep hidden from voters — says that the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis “misappropriated” $10 million in taxpayer money “as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.” The grand jury broadly laid blame for the Hope Florida scandal with James Uthmeier, the former DeSantis chief of staff who since been appointed attorney general of Florida. It also exposed the hidden role in the affair played by U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody. The grand jury ultimately declined to issue any criminal indictments in part because “nobody will take responsibility” for key decisions. But Uthmeier and Moody are both on the ballot this fall — which means the final verdict now lies with Florida voters. Show notes Before you do anything else, read Jim DeFede’s scoop at CBS Miami, which includes the full text of the Hope Florida grand jury report: Grand jury finds DeSantis administration "misappropriated" $10 million in taxpayer money to Hope Florida To make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here. To register for the Amendment 3 town hall I’ll be moderating, click here. For more details on the Brevard County panel on all the November constitutional amendments that I’ll be participating on, click here. Other stories discussed in today’s show: The net tightens around key figures in the Hope Florida scandal The attorney general has some explaining to do. Will anyone make him? Hidden consultants and hurried payments: Records reveal details of DeSantis’ campaign against abortion and marijuana amendments Did Florida’s attorney general break the law during a Martin Luther King Day legal stunt? Judge finds Florida attorney general in contempt for defying court order in major immigration case Former federal prosecutors see potential charges in Hope Florida saga Caruso’s old sexual abuse allegations are easy to find. Why didn’t DeSantis know? The best and worst of Florida’s 2025 session (so far) The bills discussed in today’s show: House Bill 1445 — Public Employees and Public Officers Passed the Florida House of Representatives by a 97-1 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 37-0 vote (vote sheet) 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

    ‘A sophisticated scheme,’ exposed

  5. Aug 20

    Big money loses big

    In this episode: A number of lavishly funded candidates fell to grassroots challengers running on shoestring budgets during this week’s primary elections, showing that Big Money can become a big liability. Then again, Facebook’s favorite legislators survived their races and the candidate with the biggest bank account of them all — Byron Donalds, the new Republican nominee for governor — won his contest with (relative) ease. Plus: A book-banning backlash continues, Donald Trump’s grip on the GOP loosens, and the development lobby scores a split decision in the two communities that are driving so much of the statewide fights over growth management and local control. Show notes To make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here. To register for the Amendment 3 town hall I’ll be moderating, click here. Some post-primary reading: The Left Notches Another Win With This Secret Weapon: Old-Fashioned Organizing Sarasota County school board likely to have shift in political leaning as Democrats win the primary Sarasota, Manatee voters deal a blow to grassroots candidates in primary Slow-Growth Candidates Sweep St. Johns Commission Races Despite DeSantis Endorsements Maxwell: Mills loses, Donalds underperforms as Trump influence wanes in Florida Rawson downplays League of the South connection as ‘desperate’ play to win 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

    Big money loses big

  6. Aug 14

    Endorsed by Mark Zuckerberg

    In this episode: In Tampa, Big Tech giant Meta Platforms is funding last-minute mailers on behalf of a Democratic legislator who is locked in a tough primary for an open seat in the state Senate. And in Miami, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is paying for digital ads promoting a Republican legislator who is in line to become speaker of the state House. It’s all part of a nationwide campaign by Meta to fill state Legislatures with candidates supportive of the artificial intelligence industry — and Florida is the latest front. Plus: New records reveal that lobbyists for two big homebuilders and Republican donors lobbied against legislation that would have repealed a state law that has made it much harder for cities, counties and towns across Florida to slow urban sprawl, protect the environment and manage population growth. Show notes To make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here. To sign up for the Sierra Club Central Florida Group’s Aug. 19 meeting at Leu Gardens in Orlando, click here. To register for the Florida Center for Government Accountability’s Aug. 20 Hope Florida webinar, click here. Stories discussed in today’s show: Facebook is meddling in Florida elections At the last minute, Facebook tries to tilt a tight Democratic primary for a Senate seat in Tampa Developer lobbyists secretly sought to maintain a law handcuffing local communities on growth Judge rules against impact fee increases in Palm Coast Manatee County in a legal fight with developers. Over $14 million is at stake A rebellion in Florida Will Manatee County cut wetland protections? Science and developer interests clash Bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 180 (2025) — Emergencies Passed the House of Representatives by a 106-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 34-1 vote (vote sheet). Senate Bill 840 (2026) — Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural Disasters 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

    Endorsed by Mark Zuckerberg

  7. Aug 7

    Zombie sprawl

    In this episode: A month-old law enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature — with help from lobbyists representing major developers — already has more than 15 square miles of farmland around the state at risk of being consumed for new housing subdivisions. Many of the proposed projects have been previously rejected by county commissioners because of concerns about traffic congestion, habitat destruction, and encroachment on rural communities. But Tallahassee has now tied the hands of locally elected leaders. Plus: Amendment 3, the Florida Legislature’s controversial property tax ballot measure, is suddenly in limbo. And the growing problem of “dark lobbying” in the state Capitol. Show notes To make a donation in support of Seeking Rents, click here. To reserve a ticket to our discussion about data centers in Venice with Alice Herman and Christian Casale of Suncoast Searchlight and Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times, click here. Stories discussed in today’s show: New law has developers poised to build on thousands of acres of farmland around Florida Dark lobbying in the Florida Legislature After taking money from Walmart heirs, Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature helped billionaires hide their family fortunes Florida judge rules property tax amendment misleading, orders rewrite Same circus, different clowns Bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 686 — Agricultural Enclaves Passed the House of Representatives by a 90-20 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 34-2 vote (vote sheet). 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

    Zombie sprawl

  8. Jul 30

    Billionaires for Byron

    In this episode: A billionaire hedge fund executive gave $10 million last week to Byron Donalds, the Republican Congressman from Naples who is the favorite to win the GOP nomination for Florida governor in next month’s primary elections. His gift came after a billionaire TikTok investor gave Donalds at least $7.5 million. Other billionaires are pouring money into the Donalds campaign, too. Their cash comes with strings. Plus: Attorney General James Uthmeier helps the billionaire-owned Fontainebleau Hotel steamroll residents of Miami Beach who are fighting a proposed expansion project; the companies that sell electricity to AI data centers love Florida’s new data center law; and a key provision in the state constitution is, it turns out, meaningless. Show notes To make a donation in support of Seeking Rents, click here. To reserve a ticket to our discussion about data centers in Venice with Alice Herman and Christian Casale of Suncoast Searchlight and Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times, click here. Stories discussed in today’s show: The DeSantis decisions: Quiet wins for homebuilders and car dealers Billionaire Ken Griffin pours money into Byron Donalds’ campaign for governor Meet the billionaire pushing taxpayer-funded school vouchers The billionaire trying to reinvent Florida schools has a $7.5 million bet on Byron Donalds The Scale of Billionaires’ Campaign Donations is Overwhelming U.S. Politics Lobbyist for a billionaire-run hedge fund wrote a bill allowing longer non-competes, records show Lobbyists for a billionaire and a charter network pushed Florida lawmakers to expand a school privatization program, records show A billionaire-backed think tank keeps sabotaging Florida workers. More attacks are coming. Untraceable: Who sends all those political mailers? Fewer Florida residents are receiving federal food benefits The Fontainebleau wanted another favor from the Florida Legislature New law has Florida ‘open for business’ for AI data centers, utility execs say Florida judge refuses to boot Fishback from the ballot, won’t ‘decide the race’ Bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 686 – Agricultural Enclaves Senate Bill 484 – Data Centers House Bill 399 – Land Use and Development Regulations 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

    Billionaires for Byron
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"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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