DeSantis Signs Bill on School Books, Term Limits

DeSantis Signs Bill on School Books, Term Limits

By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Calling it a move toward “curriculum transparency,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill that will intensify scrutiny of school library books and instructional materials and impose 12-year term limits on school board members. Lawmakers approved the measure (HB 1467) during the legislative session […]

School Choice Programs Costs LCS $11.5 Million

School Choice Programs Costs LCS $11.5 Million

The general fund budget for Leon County Schools is being hit with an unanticipated $11.5 million decrease. According to an item approved by Leon County School Board members on Tuesday, the decrease is the result of adjustments related to the Family Empowerment and McKay Scholarship school choice programs. Last year the impact was significantly less […]

Florida Republicans Cool on ‘Woke’ Corporations, Let $1.2 Billion Income Tax Break Expire

Florida Republicans Cool on ‘Woke’ Corporations, Let $1.2 Billion Income Tax Break Expire

During the 2022 legislative session Florida Republicans took actions that distanced themselves from some of Florida’s biggest corporations – Governor DeSantis took on Disney, and the Florida Legislature let a corporate income tax break expire. The publisher of Floridapolitics.com, Peter Schorsch, tweeted that corporations “got (royally) screwed during Session.” This assessment goes against the traditional narrative that corporate […]

The City Approves 200 Traffic Cameras

The City Approves 200 Traffic Cameras

The City of Tallahassee Commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Intelligent Transportation Services, Inc., in the amount of $454,640. Intelligent Transportation Services, Inc. will procure new traffic cameras for the Tallahassee Advanced Transportation Management System (TATMS). TATMS monitors and controls traffic signals in the City of Tallahassee and Leon County, including those along with the […]

Tallahassee City Commission Meeting Notes: March 23, 2022

Tallahassee City Commission Meeting Notes: March 23, 2022

During the City of Tallahassee Commissioners meeting, the Board unanimously approved reserving an additional $227,853 from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds for Phase one of the 300-unit Orange Avenue Redevelopment Project. The Tallahassee Housing Authority requested $1.2 million from the county and the city. The county promised $1,002,853, […]

Leon County School Board Meeting Notes March 22, 2022

Leon County School Board Meeting Notes March 22, 2022

During the March 22 Leon County School Board meeting, the Board heard an update from Sheriff Walt McNeil regarding the Council on the Status of Men and Boys. The Sheriff requested the LCSB consider contributing $70,000 to upstart the council._____Superintendent Rocky Hanna addressed the Board to recommend funding the efforts by Leon County Sheriff’s Office. […]

10 Big Issues in the 2022 Legislative Session

10 Big Issues in the 2022 Legislative Session

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers finished the regular legislative session Monday by passing a $112.1 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start July 1. Here are snapshots of 10 big issues from the session: — ABORTION: The Republican-controlled House and Senate passed a proposal that would […]

Tallahassee Events Beginning March 22

Tallahassee Events Beginning March 22

Schitts Creek TriviaDate: Tuesday, March 22, 2022, begins @ 6:30 p.m. Where: Brass Tap at Midtown, 1321 Thomasville Rd.Cost: FreeWhat you’ll get: Join the Brass Tap for a fun night of trivia on the Emmy award winning popular tv show Schitts Creek. Test your knowledge of all 6 seasons. Enjoy good food and cold drinks […]

January Job Numbers Edge Ahead of Pre-Pandemic Levels

January Job Numbers Edge Ahead of Pre-Pandemic Levels

The latest jobs report shows that there were 151,375 people working in Leon County in January, which is 789 more than last month’s revised employment number. The January unemployment rate came in at 3.4%, up from the 2.7% reported last month. This increase is due to approximately 2,000 more people entering the work force in […]

Leon County Commission Candidates Raise $279,076

Leon County Commission Candidates Raise $279,076

Candidates running for four Leon County Commission seats have raised a total of $279,076 based on the March 10th campaign reports filed with the Leon County Supervisor of Elections. The candidates have spent $39,038 and have $240,038 left for campaign activities. The next report is due April 10th. The table below shows the campaign fundraising […]