By The News Service of Florida A proposal that would scale back a 2025 law that temporarily blocked cities and counties from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to growth plans is headed to the Senate floor. The Rules Committee on Tuesday backed the measure (SB 840) that has yet to see any action in […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Tougher steps to qualify for unemployment benefits cleared the Florida House Tuesday. The Republican-controlled chamber voted 81-31 on the proposal (HB 191) that would disqualify claimants who do not contact a required number of employers weekly, don’t appear for scheduled job interviews or don’t return to work […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida A key campus in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push for a conservative overhaul of the state’s higher-education system would see its physical footprint grow under the House budget. The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee on Monday advanced a bill that would transfer buildings, facilities, equipment and about $53 million […]
By The News Service of Florida A proposal to compensate the families of the “Groveland Four” is headed to the Senate floor, while the House has yet to act on the effort. The Appropriations Committee on Thursday backed the proposal (SB 694) after $4 million was added to the measure that seeks to compensate the […]
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 […]