The News Service of Florida The Florida Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the next governor — not Gov. Rick Scott — will have the authority to appoint three justices to the Supreme Court. The decision ends a long-running dispute about the power to appoint replacements for justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy […]
Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State and local elected officials would be banned from lobbying for six years after they leave office under a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot. The proposal, Amendment 12, is largely the handiwork of former state Senate President Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who […]
By Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In trying to distance himself from a multistate lawsuit that could eliminate insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said this week he believes health care should be a “right.” Scott’s statement, which came during a debate against U.S. Sen. Bill […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam would like the renegotiated and rebranded North American Free Trade Agreement to do more to help the state’s farmers. And he’s not alone, as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also expressed concerns about the absence of relief for Florida agriculture […]
By Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Board of Education on Friday advanced a $21.8 billion request for public school funding in the next budget year, including a $200 boost in per-student funds and increased funding for school-safety initiatives. Highlights of the 2019-20 budget proposal include: — An overall $673 […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In a case being watched by business groups and local governments, the city of Miami Beach is asking the Florida Supreme Court to act quickly in a battle about the legality of a local minimum wage. Justices last month, in a 4-3 decision, agreed to […]