Jury Continues Weighing Gillum Case

Jury Continues Weighing Gillum Case

By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A jury on Monday continued to deliberate on public-corruption allegations against former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, asking a federal judge questions as they pondered the fate of the onetime rising political star. Gillum, who also served as Tallahassee mayor, faces charges of lying to […]

Disney Sues State Over ‘Retaliation’

Disney Sues State Over ‘Retaliation’

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Mostly silent on the issue for the past year, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit arguing its First Amendment rights were violated and business harmed by a “relentless campaign” of retribution orchestrated by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials. The […]

Negotiators Start Hammering Out Budget Details

Negotiators Start Hammering Out Budget Details

BY Jim Turner & Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate negotiators expressed optimism Monday as they began trading budget proposals, despite gaps in spending over issues such as public schools, land preservation and tourism marketing. “I think we’re in great shape. We’ve been working really well with our House […]

Enterprise Florida Elimination Moves Forward

Enterprise Florida Elimination Moves Forward

A House plan to eliminate the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida and relocate tourism-marketing efforts also would lead to a change in the name of the state Department of Economic Opportunity. The House Appropriations Committee on Friday voted 19-7 to approve a bill (HB 5) that would do away with Enterprise Florida and change the name […]

DeSantis Signs 6-Week Abortion Limit

DeSantis Signs 6-Week Abortion Limit

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Moving quickly on what supporters call the “Heartbeat Protection Act,” Gov. Ron DeSantis late Thursday signed a bill that would prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. DeSantis’ office announced the signing about 11 p.m., several hours after the House gave final approval to the […]

Lawmaker Likens Trans People to ‘Mutants’

Lawmaker Likens Trans People to ‘Mutants’

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida The Florida House could be poised to take up a bill that seeks to prevent transgender men and women from using bathrooms that don’t line up with their sex assigned at birth, after one Republican said Monday it’s “like we have mutants living among us on planet […]

10 Big Issues At Legislative Halftime

10 Big Issues At Legislative Halftime

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers Wednesday reached the halfway point in this year’s 60-day legislative session. The House and Senate have passed high-profile bills involving issues such as affordable housing and school vouchers, but major issues remain to be resolved. Here are snapshots of 10 big issues: — […]

DeSantis Signs Concealed Weapons Bill

DeSantis Signs Concealed Weapons Bill

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a measure that will allow Floridians to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses. The Republican-controlled Senate gave final approval to the measure (HB 543) on Thursday, about a week after the House passed it. The bill will do away with a decades-old licensing process, which has included requiring that people […]

Affordable Housing Plan Gets Final Approval

Affordable Housing Plan Gets Final Approval

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With approval Friday from the Florida House, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s $711 million effort to make housing more affordable for working Floridians is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The House voted 103-6 to pass a bill (SB 102) dubbed the “Live Local Act.” The bill […]

Polston Stepping Down from Supreme Court

Polston Stepping Down from Supreme Court

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston announced Monday he will step down March 31, giving Gov. Ron DeSantis another opportunity to place his imprint on the state’s highest court. In a two-paragraph letter to DeSantis, Polston, 67, did not detail reasons for his resignation after […]

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