By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Law enforcement officers could pull over motorists they see texting and driving on Florida roads, under a bill now headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis. With a vote of 108-7, the House on Monday passed a compromise measure (HB 107) that blends a ban on texting […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE — The Senate on Friday passed legislation outlawing so-called sanctuary city policies in Florida, reversing course on a politically charged issue that it has blocked for the past three years. In a nod to one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ top legislative priorities, a sharply divided Senate voted […]
BY Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum agreed Wednesday to pay a $5,000 fine in a settlement reached with a state ethics-commission attorney, who agreed to drop four of five charges of ethics violations related to trips to Costa Rica and New York, a boat ride […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After a long and fiery debate about how the state should deal with illegal immigration, the Florida House on Wednesday passed legislation that seeks to crack down on local governments that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The measure, if passed by the […]
The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Buckle up. The 2019 legislative session is about ready to pick up speed. When lawmakers come back from the holiday weekend, they will be poised to start budget negotiations and to try to resolve a laundry list of major — and controversial — issues. That means a sprint […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As calls from hurricane-battered Northwest Florida grow more desperate for state and federal financial help, Sen. Bill Montford on Tuesday removed a request for $315 million from a relief package while lawmakers prepare for budget talks. Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who is one of three […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday downplayed growing concerns that President Donald Trump is putting Florida’s coastal waters back in play for oil exploration. A political ally of the president, DeSantis said he will “be raising Cain” if drilling plans advance that include Florida waters, particularly […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A campaign about free speech on Florida college campuses — a hot-button issue across the nation — is being backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and public university presidents, who signed a resolution vowing to welcome all types of debate unless they promote “true threats or […]
By The News Service of Florida Staff With this year’s legislative session in its final three weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis took time Monday to rally support for his education priorities at a Tampa Christian school. He told a crowd that he thinks his administration is on track to deliver on a number of his priorities […]
More than five months after Florida voters approved a ban on workplace vaping, the issue is on the way to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The House on Thursday gave unanimous approval to a bill (SB 7012) that would carry out the voter-approved constitutional amendment. The Senate unanimously passed the bill last month. The constitutional amendment, placed […]