How this newsroom works (and what it will not do)

Opening

OrlandoFirst.City is an independent editorial newsroom focused on the 2027 Orlando mayoral race and the policy claims that come with it.

We aren't a government office, we aren't a political action committee, and we aren't a campaign opposition research shop. We are a civic research project that believes Orlando voters deserve better than glossy campaign brochures and outrage-bait headlines.

We do the math, trace the laws, audit the budgets, and map the authority so you can decide who is actually ready to run City Hall.

The Newsroom Mission: Stories Over Scorecards

We don't publish raw research dumps or mechanical scorecard grids that pretend math can replace human voter judgment. We write grounded, human stories based on primary public records.

When a campaign makes a bold promise about housing, transit, utilities, or safety, we test it against four basic elements: 1. **The Campaign Language:** What was actually promised? 2. **The Authority Map:** Does City Hall control this lever, or does someone else have to vote? 3. **The Financial Reality:** What does it cost, and where is the budget line? 4. **The Verified Record:** What do official statutes, audits, and voting records show?

Who Decides: The Reader Holds the Verdict

Our core operational rule is simple: **Show the case; do not dictate the verdict.**

We will never tell you how to vote. We will never use clickbait rhetoric or sensationalist campaign-ad theatrics. We leave political theater to the consultants.

We present the evidence clearly, cite every primary source so you can verify it yourself, and let you reach your own conclusions.

Follow the Protocol: Transparency and Corrections

Independence means owning our research—and owning our mistakes.

Our methodology relies exclusively on primary public documents: Florida Statutes, the City of Orlando Charter, municipal land development codes, official House voting registers, and published budget audits.

If we get a fact wrong, we fix it. We maintain an open, public Corrections Log at `/about/corrections`. If you spot an error, email our desk with the story URL, the primary source, and the exact fact that should change. We review every submission against official records and publish material corrections transparently.

The Lines We Will Never Cross

To maintain absolute civic integrity, this newsroom operates under strict boundaries: * **No Vote Dictation:** We lay out the map; you decide who deserves your vote. * **No fundraising or committee CTAs:** We do not collect money for candidates or committees. * **No partisan hit-piece language:** We analyze municipal mechanics, not motives.

We publish because Orlando’s future is too important for superficial politics. Welcome to the newsroom.