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: Bad apples in the Big Apple: An ALEC recap of NYC’s failing public schoolsThe Apopka Chief
Last week, I had the honor and privilege of attending the Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Commission (ALEC) in Orlando. It was there that I joined state legislators…
OP-ED: “Meg’s Law”: Protecting young people from xylazine and nitrous oxideThe Apopka Chief
Last week, I was invited to attend the bill presentation for Senate Bill (SB) 432, Intoxicating Substances, at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Tavares. Although the governor has…
OP-ED: Pump the brakes: Governor vetoes e-bike legislationThe Apopka Chief
A while back I wrote about SB 382 (HB 243), legislation sponsored by Sen. Truenow and Rep. Benarroch that proposed new safety protocols for electric bicycles,…
OP-ED: Know before you vote: Property tax constitutional amendmentThe Apopka Chief
In the midst of summer, not only have the temperatures increased, but also the happenings of the 2026 campaign season. As I alluded to in my last…
OP-ED: Lawmakers pass budget, property tax proposal The Apopka Chief
At the time of writing this column, I am winding down a whirlwind of an eventful week from Tallahassee. Not long after the Florida Legislature passed…
OP-ED: Protecting our kids: Florida’s new public indecency lawThe Apopka Chief
With the state budget being finalized as I write this, we will be taking a small detour this week to discuss one of my policy priorities from the 2026 legislative session.
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…