By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Some Florida universities are spending millions of dollars on programs and other expenses related to diversity, equity and inclusion — as Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration target “trendy ideology” on campuses. Chris Spencer, director of DeSantis’ Office of Policy and Budget, in a Dec. […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Calling for “long overdue reforms,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday outlined proposed legislation that would target pharmacy benefit managers to try to lower prescription-drug costs. Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are often described as “middlemen” in the health-care system. Working with insurers and other health […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After an appeals court upheld a school-board policy that prevented a transgender male student from using boys’ bathrooms, a federal judge has reopened a legal battle about a 2021 Florida law that bars transgender female students from playing on women’s and girls’ sports teams. U.S. […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers are moving forward with plans that would give the state more control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which Gov. Ron DeSantis targeted last year after the Walt Disney Co. criticized a controversial education law. A notice posted Friday by the Legislature on Osceola […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday appointed six new members to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees in a move that one appointee and conservative ally of DeSantis said is aimed at “recapturing higher education.” The picks will allow DeSantis to make more of […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As Gov. Ron DeSantis targets “trendy ideology” in higher education, his administration is asking state colleges and universities for information about resources they are putting into activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory. DeSantis has made the fight against critical race […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — From abortion to Big Tech to guns, Florida heads into 2023 with courts weighing high-profile legal fights. Here are 10 issues to watch: — ABORTION: The Florida Supreme Court is considering a challenge to a new law that prevents abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Beefed up lobbying restrictions and breaks for motorists who frequently use toll roads are among state laws and other changes that will arrive with the new year. The laws, passed during this year’s regular legislative session and special sessions, also include making available land-preservation money, […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge will hear arguments Jan. 27 in an attempt by a group of local elected officials to block new lobbying restrictions that they argue violate First Amendment rights. The officials from Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Leon counties filed a lawsuit last week in […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After a five-year legal battle, a sharply divided federal appeals court Friday upheld a St. Johns County School Board policy that prevented a transgender male student from using boys’ bathrooms at a high school. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 7-4 decision, […]