Equal Ground

At Equal Ground, we believe Floridians deserve to know where every candidate for Governor stands on protecting their fundamental freedom to vote. That's why we asked every candidate seeking Florida's highest office to sign a simple pledge committing to support and work to pass the Florida Voting Rights Act if elected. Our pledge tracker is designed to provide voters with a transparent, nonpartisan record of each candidate's response. Candidates had three opportunities to respond: Yes – They...

After years of advocacy, compensation for the families of Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas was added to the state budget at the last minute this session. These were four Black men whose lives were destroyed by a racist legal system after being falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1949 in Lake County. The Florida Senate had already passed a standalone bill SB 694 unanimously; however, the bill was never heard in the House. As a last-minute addition, $4...

Florida's budget is more than a spending plan, it is a reflection of our values and the priorities we choose to invest in. While Governor DeSantis has now signed the state's budget after vetoing more than $1.5 billion in bipartisan legislative appropriations, the final product represents another missed opportunity to address the challenges facing everyday Floridians. Communities across our state advocated for investments that would strengthen public education, expand workforce opportunities,...