By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Republican-dominated Legislature has long pushed back against requiring employers to conduct immigration background checks for new hires, but a bill filed Friday includes a potential compromise that could hand a win to Gov. Ron DeSantis on the controversial issue. The bill, filed by Rep. […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Gaining initial legislative support last year might have been the easy part for controversial and expensive toll-road projects envisioned to cut through more than 300 miles of mostly rural land from Collier County to the Georgia border. With many environmental and business groups split about the need […]
By The News Service of Florida A day before the 2020 legislative session starts, a Senate panel will consider legislation aimed at increasing teacher pay, a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill (SB 1088), sponsored by Senate Education Chairman Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, is meant to be a vehicle for the governor’s pitch […]
By Jim Saunders, Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The 2020 legislative session will start Jan. 14 as House and Senate members gather to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address. Lawmakers will take up a wide range of issues during the 60-day session, along with negotiating a budget for […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As a new year begins, and as we bid a final farewell to the past decade, Floridians should look out for a number of events in the next 12 months. For starters, two massive events are coming to the Sunshine State: the 2020 Super Bowl […]
By The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Census Bureau on Monday released 2019 population estimates that showed Florida continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Here are some key comparisons: 10 STATES WITH THE LARGEST POPULATIONS: — California: 39,512,223— Texas: 28,995,881— Florida: 21,477,737— New York: 19,453,561— Pennsylvania: 12,801,989— […]
By The News Service of Florida Florida had another 49 reported cases of hepatitis A last week, bringing the total this year to 3,327 as of Saturday, according to new figures from the state Department of Health. With the end of the year nearing, the number of hepatitis A cases in 2019 has dwarfed the […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants all Florida businesses to use a system to prevent undocumented immigrants from getting jobs in the state, but a powerful Republican leader is pushing back against the proposal. Senate President Bill Galvano said this week he does not support a measure that would […]
By Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In a contentious meeting where proponents and opponents talked about God, homosexuality and government intrusion, a Florida Senate panel Tuesday approved a bill that would require minors to obtain permission from their parents before having abortions. The 6-3 vote by the Senate Health Policy Committee […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge on Tuesday excoriated lawyers representing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, accusing the state of trying to “run out the clock” to keep felons from voting in next year’s elections. The acrimony between U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle and the state’s attorneys came during […]