The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will hold a special session this week to deal directly with Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Gov. Ron DeSantis previously pushed lawmakers to end the existence of Reedy Creek and in April of 2022, signed into law the legislation abolishing the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Now, the state must decide whether to assume control of the district and how to deal with the district’s debts.

The special session began February 6.

Rep. Mike Glanton resigned this past week after serving 14 years in the state House.

Glanton was a Democrat who represented House District 75, which consists of Clayton County.

Gov. Brian Kemp set the special election for March 21. A runoff will be scheduled if necessary.

The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance has increased the lobbyist expenditure gift limit from $65 per event to $73.

The annual limit from lobbyist employers has also increased from $130 during a calendar year to $147.

The bureau is required by law to increase the limit every two years.

The law became effective January 16, 2023.

The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance (BECF) published revised contribution limits for 2023 and 2024.

The per person limit to candidates for statewide office increased from $4,300 to $4,900 per election.

The per person limit for the Senate, House, and all other state and local offices increased from $1,600 to $1,800.

PAC limits to candidates for statewide office and for the House increased from $12,700 to $14,400 per election.

PAC limits to candidates for Senate increased from $25,400 to $28,800.

All other state and local office candidates receiving contributions from a PAC increased from $8,300 to $9,400 per election.

BECF adjusts contribution limits in January of each odd-numbered year based on the consumer price index.

A special election has been set for February 27, to fill the seat recently vacated by former Commissioner Ken Russell.

Commissioners had 10 days to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of Russell’s term but could not find a consensus candidate.

District 2 comprises portions of Coconut Grove, Brickell, Edgewater, Morningside and downtown.

The contribution limit for candidates and political committees in North Carolina has increased as mandated by state law.

The previous limit was capped at $5,600.

The new limit is now $6,400 and took effect on January 1 of the new year.

Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled a special primary and election to replace former state Rep. Joe Harding who resigned after he was indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.

Harding previously represented House District 24.

The special primary is scheduled for March 7 with the special election following on May 16.

The Office of Secretary of State is expected to announce reporting dates for any PACs making contributions or expenditures to influence the elections.

Virginia Gov. Youngkin announced a special election to replace the late Del. Ronnie Campbell will take place January 10, 2023.

Del. Campbell passed away this past week after a battle with cancer.

Campbell represented the 24^th District of the Virginia House of Delegates.

His wife, Ellen Campbell has announced that she will run for her late husband’s seat.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special election to replace the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin will take place February 21, 2023.

Rep. McEachin died after he won his bid for reelection.

McEachin represented Virginia’s 4^th Congressional District, which includes the state capital of Richmond.

The Alabama Ethics Commission voted to increase the amount of de minimis items a lobbyist or lobbyist employer may give to public officials.

The new amounts are $32 or less per occasion with an aggregate of $64 or less per calendar year.

Previously the amount was $25 or less per occasion with an aggregate of $50 or less in a calendar year.

The change will only affect the definition of de minimis and has no effect on the exception for meals within the Alabama Code.

Gov. Bill Lee has set upcoming election dates to fill Tennessee House District 86.

The seat was vacated upon the death of Democratic State Rep. Barbara Cooper in late October at the age of 93.

Tennessee allowed her name to remain on the November ballot where she won.

A primary election will be held on January 24, 2023 with the general election being held on March 14, 2023.

Wes Moore was elected Maryland governor on Tuesday and will become the first black governor of the state of Maryland.

Moore beat out Republican Dan Cox in a 60% to 37% landslide. Democrats swept all the statewide races.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has won his bid for reelection.

Kemp defeated his Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams.

Kemp won by a wide margin, winning 53.4% of the vote while Abrams won 45.8%.

Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost has won the seat for Florida’s 10^th Congressional District.

Frost becomes the first member of Generation Z to serve in the United States Congress.

Frost defeated his Republican opponent Calvin Wimbish and will succeed the current Democratic Representative Val Demings.