Florida Policy Index

The Wall Street Journal examines the growing popularity of ZYN nicotine pouches within the Trump administration and the White House, illustrating how the product has become part of a broader national conversation surrounding public policy, tobacco harm reduction, consumer behavior, and regulation. The Aleksander Group has represented the manufacturer of ZYN in Florida since the product's U.S. launch.

Florida AI policy is emerging at the center of U.S.–China strategic competition, where a fragmented, state-by-state regulatory approach risks constraining American innovation in a critical national security technology.

Florida is emerging as a critical hub in autonomous defense and the energy infrastructure required to sustain it—where megawatts, not just munitions, will define the next phase of national security.

Florida’s 2026 infrastructure and regulatory framework is not designed for incremental growth—it is engineered to attract hyperscale, AI-driven data center development. The shift is deliberate, and it is already reshaping where capital flows.

For years, the digital economy was defined by its lack of physical constraints. Cloud computing, mobile platforms, and software-driven services created the perception of a system that could scale without friction—light, flexible, and largely detached from the physical world. Artificial intelligence is reversing that model.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) and other nicotine alternatives are designed to reduce exposure to harmful toxicants by eliminating combustion—the primary driver of smoking-related disease. Backed by extensive scientific research, engineering, and regulatory submissions, these products represent a fundamentally different risk profile than traditional cigarettes. Yet, public policy has been slow to reflect that distinction.

President Donald Trump’s sweeping AI executive order marks a decisive shift in who writes the rules for artificial intelligence in the United States. Rather than allowing states to continue experimenting with their own AI frameworks, the order asserts federal primacy—aiming to replace a growing patchwork of state laws with a single national approach.

Moffitt Cancer Center, Florida’s premier National Cancer Institute-designated facility, has expanded its partnership with biotechnology firm RyboDyn, Inc. to accelerate the development of advanced immunotherapies.

Florida’s legislative session faces collapse amid a $4.4B budget gap, a charity funding controversy tied to the First Lady, and stalled legislation as gridlock deepens.

Free market conservatives, including Americans for Tax Reform, are descending on the state capitol, urging lawmakers to keep so-called alternative tobacco (Nicotine) products “tax-free” in Florida.

AT&T has announced its plan to discontinue traditional landline phone services in Florida and nearly all of its U.S. service areas.

The legislation represents a significant change in Florida law. For decades, regulation of smoking had been largely preempted to the state, preventing local governments from adopting their own restrictions on smoking in public outdoor spaces. HB 105 creates a limited exception by allowing local governments to adopt ordinances restricting the use of cigarettes and electronic smoking devices at public beaches and parks within their jurisdictions.

“I’m very grateful to the clients who made this possible. It’s truly an honor to be recognized alongside some of Florida’s best-known and most dominant brands,” said Sebastian Aleksander, Florida lobbyist and Founder & Principal of The Aleksander Group, who continues to continues to serve clients across Florida’s most heavily regulated industries through strategic advocacy, government relations, Tallahassee lobbying and business policy execution.

In recognition of his contributions to public safety policy and his longstanding work with Florida's fire service community, Sebastian was awarded the Chief's Axe by the Professional Firefighters & Paramedics of Palm Beach County. Inscribed on the award are the words: "In Appreciation of Your Years of Dedication to Our Goals, Guidance to Our Political Team, and Most of All, Our Success in Fighting the Political Fires!"