What really changes when you move from the Florida House to the Florida Senate?

On this episode of In Session, Representative Rita Harris sits down with Senator Kristen Arrington to talk about her transition from the House to the Senate, the differences between the two chambers, and what she has learned along the way.

They discuss the realities of passing legislation, including successful efforts like the Harris Rosen road designation and the challenges of moving legislation like language access. They also tackle myths about serving in the Florida Legislature, the lessons that come with legislative wins and losses, and what Senator Arrington hopes to accomplish in this next chapter of public service.

It’s a behind-the-scenes conversation about what serving in the Florida Legislature actually looks like and what changes when you move from one side of the Capitol to the other.

What Does a State Representative Actually Do?

Most people know we vote on bills in Tallahassee, but that's only one part of the job.

In this episode of In Session with Rep. Rita, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it's really like to serve in the Florida House of Representatives, both during the legislative session and back home in the district.

We talk about how an idea becomes legislation, what happens in committees, why relationships matter when you're trying to get something done, and what legislators are actually doing during those very long days (and sometimes nights!) on the House floor.

But the job doesn't stop when we leave Tallahassee.

A huge part of what we do happens right here at home: helping constituents navigate state agencies, working with local governments and community organizations, attending meetings and events, listening to the people we represent, and sometimes simply figuring out which level of government can actually solve a problem.

In this episode, we get into:

• What a Florida state representative is responsible for
• What legislators actually do during the legislative session
• Committees, bills, amendments, and floor votes
• Why so much of legislating happens before a bill ever reaches the House floor
• Constituent services and how a legislative office can help
• The difference between state and local responsibilities
• What representatives do when the Legislature isn't in session
• Why relationships and working across the aisle matter
• Some of the things about this job that surprised me after I was elected

If you've ever wondered what your state representative actually does all day, this episode is for you.

My goal with In Session is to make state government less mysterious and more accessible.

You shouldn't need to be a lobbyist, lawyer, or political insider to understand what your government is doing or how to make your voice heard.

Have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? Send it my way. Your question might become our next In Session topic.

And as always, if you're a constituent who needs help navigating state government, please reach out to our office. We're here to help.

In this episode of In Session, State Representative Rita Harris breaks down Amendment 3 and explains what the proposed $250,000 homestead exemption would—and would not—mean for Florida homeowners.

We discuss:

• Why a $250,000 exemption does not equal $250,000 in savings
• Which property taxes would still remain
• Why school property taxes are treated differently
• How the amendment would affect current and future Florida residents
• What it could mean for rental and commercial properties
• The potential impact on counties, cities and essential local services
• The amendment’s pathway toward eliminating additional non-school homestead taxes
• The strongest arguments both for and against the proposal

Property-tax relief sounds straightforward, but this amendment contains several major policy changes in a single yes-or-no vote. Before casting your ballot, make sure you understand both the potential savings and the long-term tradeoffs.

This episode is intended for general educational purposes and does not constitute individualized tax advice.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with another Florida voter—and remember to stay informed, stay involved, and stay engaged.

Helpful links:

• Senate Version of HJR 1F
• Ballot Amendment Language
• Revenue Estimating Conference: Financial impact analysis

Episode Description

What exactly is a special session, and how is it different from a regular legislative session?

In this episode of In Session with Rep. Rita, I take you behind the scenes of Florida's special sessions to explain why they're called, how they work, and what the public doesn't always get to see.

From the fast-paced schedule to the differences in committee meetings, bill filing, and debate, I'll walk you through what makes a special session unique and give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to serve in the Florida Legislature when lawmakers are called back to Tallahassee.

Whether you're new to following state government or simply curious about how the legislative process works, this episode offers an inside look at a part of the process that most people never see.

In this episode:

• What a special session is
• How a special session differs from a regular legislative session
• Why the Governor or Legislature calls a special session
• What happens behind the scenes before bills reach the floor
• What it's like to serve during a special session
• Why understanding the legislative process matters

I'd love to hear from you! What questions do you have about state government or the legislative process? Is there a topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode? Let me know, and it may be featured on an upcoming episode of In Session with Rep. Rita.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more Floridians stay informed, stay engaged, and better understand how state government impacts our everyday lives.

Welcome back to In Session!

After a busy legislative session and special session in Tallahassee, Representative Rita Harris is kicking off Season 2 with a look ahead at what's coming next. This season, we'll be diving into the issues that matter most to Floridians, from affordability and housing to healthcare, public education, the environment, and the policies shaping our communities.

You'll hear from experts, community leaders, advocates, and everyday Floridians as we explore the challenges facing our state and the solutions that can help move Florida forward.

Whether you're a longtime listener or joining us for the first time, welcome to the conversation.

This Season on In Session:

• Affordability and the rising cost of living
• Property taxes and housing
• Public education
• Healthcare access
• Environmental protection
• Workforce development
• Community stories and constituent voices
• Behind-the-scenes perspectives from Tallahassee

Thank you for listening and being part of the conversation.

n this episode of In Session with Rep Rita, I sit down with someone from our community to talk about something I hear all the time right now. People are working hard, doing what they are supposed to do, and it still does not feel like enough.

This is a real conversation about what it looks like to be middle class right now. The cost of groceries, housing, insurance, and just everyday life keeps going up, and families are feeling it in a very real way.

We talk about the stress that comes with trying to keep up, the decisions people are having to make, and how hard it can be to plan ahead when everything feels uncertain.

This is not about politics as usual. It is about lived experience. It is about what people are going through right now.

These are the voices that should be shaping the decisions we make.

Thank you for being here and for staying engaged.

Friends, we made it through another legislative session—and if it felt long, that’s because it was.

In this episode, I walk you through the biggest headlines, the real impacts behind the bills, and what you should actually be paying attention to (not just what’s trending online).

Key Topics Covered

What Passed

• Major budget decisions and where your tax dollars are going
• Key legislation impacting affordability, insurance, and everyday costs
• Wins that will directly benefit our community

What Didn’t Make It

• Important bills that stalled or were left behind
• Missed opportunities that could have helped working families
• What I was fighting for didn’t cross the finish line

The Controversial Stuff

• Bills that sparked real debate on the House floor
• What these policies actually do vs. how they were presented
• Why some of these issues matter long after the session ends

The Budget Reality Check

• Where the state chose to invest—and where it didn’t
• What this means for schools, healthcare, and local communities
• The big picture: priorities vs. politics

My Takeaways

• This session moved fast—but not always in the right direction
• Affordability continues to be one of the biggest issues facing Floridians
• There’s a growing gap between what people need and what’s being prioritized
• The work doesn’t end when the session gavels out

What’s Next

• How these new laws will start impacting you
• What I’ll be working on during the interim
• How you can stay engaged and make your voice heard

Let’s Stay Connected

Have a question about a bill or how something affects you? Reach out—I’m here to help.

If You Enjoyed This Episode

• Share it with a friend or neighbor
• Leave a review
• Follow In Session with Rep. Rita so you never miss an update

Recorded mid-session, I go over what's been happening in Tallahassee so far.