By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Florida’s suspended top financial regulator, in a lawsuit alleging he is the victim of “pay to play — or else” politics, contends state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is running a “powerful but corrupt enterprise.” Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Ronald Rubin, who remains on administrative leave […]
By Ana Ceballos, Jim Turner The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis used his line-item veto power to slash more than $131 million in proposed spending Friday as he signed a record $90.98 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Calling the package “fiscally responsible,” the freshman governor praised […]
By The News Service of Florida Saying that “we’re delivering on the promises that we made to the people of Florida,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a fiercely debated bill that bans so-called “sanctuary cities” in the state. DeSantis signed the measure (SB 168) during an event in Okaloosa County and was joined by […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida ORLANDO — The Florida Democratic Party’s biggest event of the year wrapped up this weekend with a debate over whether the party should push for semi-open primaries and Election Day voter registration as soon as 2020. The issues were considered as Democrats plot ways to win the […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida ORLANDO — Florida Democrats are making plans to win the crucial battleground state in 2020, but during a flurry of forums this weekend, intraparty tensions were often more apparent than enthusiasm. “We are going to turn into Alabama if we don’t get our act together,” said Sean […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In a case filed in the aftermath of last year’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, a circuit judge is poised to hear arguments about the constitutionality of a state law that imposes tough penalties on local officials if they approve gun regulations. […]
By Ana Ceballos. The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As federal prosecutors poke around at issues involving Andrew Gillum, they could be looking into potential “misuse or misreporting” of campaign money tied to the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, according to Gillum’s attorney, Barry Richard. Documents and information demanded in a federal subpoena, issued in […]
TALLAHASSEE — Lobbying the Legislature is big business. During the first three months of the year, companies, local governments and other clients paid an estimated $37.4 million to lobbying firms for legislative work, according to state numbers. Lobbying firms are required to file quarterly reports that offer a picture of how much they get paid. […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers this month approved a controversial bill that is expected to make it harder to put citizens’ initiatives on the ballot. The bill (HB 5) would place additional restrictions on gathering the hundreds of thousands of petition signatures needed to reach the ballot. For […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday touted Florida’s higher-education system after it was named best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, citing relatively low amounts of debt when students graduate and a “worthwhile education” they receive. “Our colleges and universities have prioritized affordability […]