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 […]
By The News Service of Florida David Coburn, who served as chief of staff under two House speakers and a Senate president before moving to Florida State University, was named Friday as the university’s athletics director. Coburn has served as interim athletics director since August, when Stan Wilcox resigned from the position. Before becoming athletics […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Maybe next year. When lawmakers hit the road Saturday after ending the 2019 legislative session, they left behind hundreds of bills and issues that did not pass. But there’s always the 2020 session, which will start in eight short months. Here are 10 high-profile issues […]
The News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did not get as much money as he wanted for teacher bonuses in the new state budget, but he told reporters Wednesday it will be an issue that he would like to tackle during the 2020 legislative session. “I think the formula is a little bit different […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Republican lawmakers on Wednesday gave final passage to a wide-ranging school safety bill that would allow classroom teachers to be armed, reversing a decision made last year after the mass school shooting in Parkland. Despite backlash from Democrats, the Republican-dominated House passed legislation (SB 7030) […]