Alexis Tsoukalas, MSSA/MSW, PhD

Macro social worker/boat-rocker. Senior policy analyst @FloridaPolicy. Fmr @CenterOnBudget fellow. Animal mom, (amateur) singer, Greek. Views mine.

[Jason Garcia @Jason_Garcia]

So Ron DeSantis steered $10 million of public money (perhaps illegally) to nonprofits that just happened to be two of the biggest donors to Ron DeSantis’ campaigns against citizen-led constitutional amendments to legalize marijuana and end Florida’s abortion ban.

[Florida Policy Institute @FloridaPolicy]

While FPI does not support any rollback of long-held child labor protections, the Legislature seeks to chip away at the protections put in place for working teens last legislative session. SB 918/HB 1225 (2025) go beyond what HB 49 originally proposed.

@DrWhoKalas

[Pinellas County @PinellasGov]

Pinellas County has started mandatory evacuations for our long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals in Zone A, B and C. #PCMilton #PCEM (1/5)

[Alexis Tsoukalas, MSSA/MSW, PhD @DrWhoKalas]

Assuming no one has informed the singer Twitter world yet, something is happening in St. Pete FL. I swear these karaokaers (sic?) are all ringers w classical voices who are either ex- or aspiring-Broadway stars, so employ these people but also is this the next vocal Comedy Store?

[Alexis Tsoukalas, MSSA/MSW, PhD @DrWhoKalas]

Analyzing @EconomicPolicy data, we found that for most households (including a single adult working full time without kids), $13/hr isn't a living wage in any of FL's 67 counties. Affordability and quality of life are severely hampered for far too many. #minimumwage #livingwage

[Florida Policy Institute @FloridaPolicy]

NEW: On 9/30, Florida's min. wage increased to $13, part of the gradual hike to $15 by 2026. But as FPI's interactive dashboard shows, Floridians struggle to make ends meet at a $13 wage.

by Alexis Tsoukalas, PhD, and Adriana Sela (research assistant)

https://t.co/xA6ORZcEUf

[limp brittzkit @Brittymigs]

here to report that there’s a Cake cover band called ‘Is It Cake?’

[Holly Bullard @HollyBullardFL]

Refusing to pay overtime is called wage theft and it’s a federal crime.

Wantonly breaking the Federal Labor Standards Act is pretty much as anti-worker & anti-union as you can get. Looking at you @Teamsters

[Holly Bullard @HollyBullardFL]

@Teamsters While it's a crime, wage theft is profoundly under-prosecuted (unlike petty theft). https://t.co/4AVuJfbSjY
For Floridians interested in learning more about it in our state take a look here - https://t.co/UYKhXZW6rn

[Commissioner Davante Lewis @davantelewis]

Daily reminder: Government is not a business. It’s a social service to its people.

[Holly Bullard @HollyBullardFL]

“There are multiple reasons for the projected deficit but it reflects growing costs in areas such as Florida’s universal voucher program…”

[Steven Walker @swalker_7]

DEVELOPING: New College of Florida dumped hundreds of library books this afternoon.

The school also emptied the college’s Gender and Diversity Center, tossing hundreds of their books.

Working to file a story now.

[Miami Herald @MiamiHerald]

South Florida under heat advisory for fifth consecutive day as indexes to reach 112 https://t.co/3MLk7ZU5t0

[Miami Herald @MiamiHerald]

In a rare move, the National Weather Service Thursday issued heat advisories across the entire state and more severe excessive heat warnings in the Panhandle, with ‘feels like’ temperatures hovering around 115 degrees in the northern part of the state. https://t.co/4KkyTxQtfM

[Alexis Tsoukalas, MSSA/MSW, PhD @DrWhoKalas]

Since night flight rules are lights out and no talking, so too should day/all flights be. We don't want to hear about your breakfast at full volume, Pierre.

🎶 I'm just a nighttime girl living in a lonely world. 🎵

[James Lucas @JamesLucasIT]

Thread of cool maps you've (probably) never seen before 🧵

1. All roads lead to Rome

[Subsistence Content Farmer @prncessdianavar]

“And who is your primary care doctor” three different urgent cares in a trench coat, babe

[Alexis Tsoukalas, MSSA/MSW, PhD @DrWhoKalas]

@OmarKelly Thank you! https://t.co/D0lNpSpiYe

[Omar Kelly @OmarKelly]

If you don't believe global warming is real I challenge you to go stand out in the sun during the Dolphins' training camp practices in South Florida.

I've done it this time of year for 20-plus seasons covering the Canes and Dolphins.

This heat is unreal.