Doug Bankson is the founder and senior pastor of Victory Church World Outreach Center in Apopka, Florida. He currently serves as State Representative for House District 39.
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OP-ED: Legislature reconvenes to tackle budgetThe Apopka Chief
Last week, after legislators approved Governor Ron DeSantis’ congressional redistricting draft map proposal (83-28 in the House and 21-17 in the Senate) during a special session, the governor signed off on the bills, officially putting…
OP-ED: Special session tackles redistrictingThe Apopka Chief
At the time of the publication of this article, the Florida Legislature will have completed its first Special Session for 2026. Legislators convened starting Tuesday to discuss Gov. RonDeSantis’ draft (released…
OP-ED: FDOT provides e-mobility educationThe Apopka Chief
Shortly following the publication of my last column, staff at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reached out to my office regarding resources that the agency has available to…
OP-ED: Pending e-bike law aims to boost safetyThe Apopka Chief
Over the last few decades, the biking industry has seen a rise in the use of electric bicycles (also referred to as e-bikes). In the Central Florida…
OP-ED: Legislature fixes license plate obscuring lawThe Apopka Chief
Despite not passing the budget for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year last week, the Florida Legislature adjourned Sine Die on Friday. Legislators are expected to return to Tallahassee in mid-April…
OP-ED: State budget process enters final countdownThe Apopka Chief
This week officially marks the second to last week of the 2026 Legislative Session. Bills that have not moved through all of their assigned committee references are considered…
OP-ED: State budget process in full swingThe Apopka Chief
Last week marked the halfway point of the 2026 Legislative Session. Following behind-the-scenes pre-negotiations with budget chairs, both the House and Senate officially released their budget…
OP-ED: Return of the Jedi—making your voice heardThe Apopka Chief
In this final Star Wars-themed column on property tax, I want to share how to make your voice heard regarding the property tax proposals that will ultimately be placed on the ballot in…
OP-ED: Property tax: A new hopeThe Apopka Chief
In keeping with our Star Wars theme, there is a “New Hope” on the horizon regarding homestead property tax. However, it diverges into two schools of thought.
OP-ED: Property tax is the phantom menaceThe Apopka Chief
It’s the beginning of a brand new year, and in just a few short days the Florida Legislature will kick off the new 2026 session. Now that the tinsel is put away (or soon will…