By The News Service of Florida An estimated 5,427 first-time jobless claims were filed in Florida last week, according to a U.S. Department of Labor estimate out Thursday. The figure is down from a revised count of 5,645 for the week ending Jan. 31. The estimate also marked the fourth consecutive week with a decline […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida A proposal to further limit the amount of out-of-state and international students at some Florida universities continued to advance in the House on Tuesday. The House Budget Committee approved a proposal (HB 1279) by Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, R-Lakeland, that would require preeminent state universities to reserve […]
By Stephanie Kanowitz, The News Service of Florida A bill that would make it harder for undocumented immigrants to obtain certain licenses and financial assistance advanced in the Florida House on Tuesday. The measure (HB 1307) would prohibit “unauthorized aliens” from getting any licenses the state Department of Financial Services issues, such as those related […]
By Mitch Perry, The Florida Phoenix A proposal to empower the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to designate domestic or foreign terrorist organizations if the group meet specified criteria advanced through its second committee in the Florida House on Tuesday. The proposal (HB 1471), sponsored by former Democrat turned Republican Rep. […]
By Liv Caputo, The Florida Phoenix Florida’s emergency managers spent more than $405 million in taxpayer dollars in six months to fight illegal immigration, but that doesn’t just include law enforcement, state spending records show: It covers private jet flights, restaurant meals, and badges. This means 70% of the state’s total immigration spending in four […]
By The News Service of Florida A proposal to allow high school sports coaches to pay, out of their own pockets, for players’ food and travel is now ready to go before the full Senate. The Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday backed a measure (SB 178) directing the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt […]
The state House continues to move a proposal that creates an exemption for some entry level jobs from the state’s voter-approved minimum wage. The GOP-controlled House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee on Wednesday voted 11-5 along party lines to approve a measure (HB 221) that would allow people to waive their rights to the minimum wage […]
Florida lawmakers moved ahead Thursday with a proposal to get cyclists on e-bikes to slow down around pedestrians and make other safety improvements, although many suggested the effort should cover people using electric scooters as well. The Florida Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy voted 15-0 to advance the proposal, amid concerns that the increasingly popular […]
By The News Service of Florida The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 5,425 initial unemployment applications were filed last week, down from a revised count of 5,744 for the week ending Jan. 24. It marked the third consecutive week with a decline in Florida’s numbers, after a spike to 7,146 the week ending […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Senate Appropriations Chairman Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Trinity, said Wednesday his chamber’s planned roll out of the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget has been delayed a week as they await action from the House. “Traditionally, the House and Senate roll their budgets out the same week,” Hooper told […]