Groveland Four

Florida's clemency board posthumously pardoned the Groveland Four, four Black men wrongfully convicted in 1949, and approved $4 million in compensation for their families. The decision addresses historic racial injustice in Jim Crow-era Florida.

The Florida Legislature approved a $114.5 billion budget for fiscal years 2026-27, with Republicans highlighting reduced spending and Democrats criticizing insufficient support for schools, healthcare, and the environment. The budget includes a $300 million tax cut package, $4 million for the Groveland Four, and $250 million for an emergency fund linked to immigration enforcement. A property tax debate is set for a special session, with Governor Ron DeSantis proposing increased homestead exemptions facing opposition from local governments, education groups, and businesses.

Florida legislators finalized an $115 billion fiscal year 2026-27 budget including $4 million in compensation for the Groveland Four, environmental funding for Everglades restoration, and $75 million to sustain an AIDS drug program. The agreement resolved disputes over funding levels and program restrictions, with negotiators describing it as a compromise.