Earlier this week, State Rep. Alex Andrade sent a letter to the Pensacola City Council requesting its priorities for the 2026 legislative session.
“As the policymakers and appropriators for the City, I believe you have an obligation to assert yourselves in this decision-making process,” Andrade wrote. He questioned how the city can maintain any coherent position on policy or funding requests without input from those who set local policy in Pensacola.
- “If you have never met with or heard from your lobbyists, I’d encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience,” he pointed out. “Unlike all other staff and contract employees of the city, your lobbyists’ work depends on understanding the legislative and funding objectives of the city. You cannot guarantee they are effectively doing their jobs if you have never relayed to them the city’s official policy and funding objectives. Gatekeeping access to your lobbyists only diminishes their ability to accurately advocate for the city in the manner you, as the city’s policymakers, believe is appropriate.”
Reeves Responds
I asked Mayor Reeves about Andrade’s letter at the Tuesday presser.
“I’m excited that Representative Andrade is excited to help the city,” he said, but seemed to take offense to any implication that council that wasn’t award of the city’s priorities.
“I’m always grateful for having a working solid relationship, a respectful relationship with the seven members of our council,” said Mayor Reeves. “Any notion that their voices aren’t heard or not included, at the end of the day, it’s pretty cut and dry. Right now we’re focused on the port, we’re focused on the airport. These are all very transparent, very clear things.”
The mayor added, “And if he had any concern about how a process works, we’re not trying to hide any opportunity…It’s more about just making sure that we’re in alignment. And so I think, that’s a great thing ,and I love the passion and enthusiasm (Andrade) has to help the City of Pensacola. So we’ll get him whatever he needs.”
Public Record
Inweekly requested the list sent to the Northwest Florida delegation, which includes Rep. Andrade, Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Michelle Salzman.
The three key legislative priorities focus on infrastructure development, economic growth, and family support services that will strengthen the region’s economy and military readiness.
Airport Expansion
Pensacola International Airport (PNS) tops the city’s legislative agenda as a critical economic engine serving both civilian and military operations. The airport is currently investing approximately $150 million in passenger terminal expansions and an additional $60-70 million in runway and taxiway rehabilitation projects.
With more than 25,000 military operations conducted annually, PNS plays a vital strategic role in military connectivity. The city is working to expand direct flight routes to major Fleet Concentration Areas including San Diego, Norfolk, and Jacksonville, supporting military family quality of life and regional mission readiness.
The airport’s strong partnerships with local military installations have already yielded success in federal grant applications, including funding through the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) program for a complete rehabilitation of the Air Traffic Control Tower.
Port Positioned for Advanced Manufacturing
The Port of Pensacola plans to develop advanced manufacturing capabilities that could generate demand for highly skilled workers. This initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to creating targeted workforce development programs for transitioning service members through partnerships with the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, local trade schools, and the Naval Education and Training Command.
Strategic infrastructure improvements totaling approximately $25 million are planned for the port, including modernized warehouse facilities, road and rail upgrades, inland port development, enhanced security systems, and underground utility installations. These enhancements are designed to position the port as a hub for both commercial enterprise and mission-critical activities.
Childcare Access Remains Key Priority
Rounding out the legislative priorities is an expanded focus on childcare access for working families and military households.
- Building on recent state legislative momentum, including HB 1267 (2024), HB 7073 (2024), and SB 738 (2025), Pensacola is advocating for continued investment in expanding childcare facility capacity, strengthening the early learning workforce pipeline, and ensuring equitable access across all income levels.
Expanding childcare services will create new opportunities for families, strengthen the local workforce, and reinforce Pensacola’s reputation as a military-friendly community.
Read Leg Priorities
I checked with Rep. Andrade, who said the city never sent him anything. “I scoured my emails again, and I got nothing from them.
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