Ten Big Issues from the 2019 Session

Ten Big Issues from the 2019 Session

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers finished the 2019 legislative session Saturday by passing a budget for the upcoming year. During the two-month session, lawmakers considered hundreds of bills and made more than $90 billion in spending decisions. It also was the first session for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis […]

In the Arena: Should the President be Impeached?

In the Arena: Should the President be Impeached?

The reason for impeaching a President is specifically stated in Article II, Section 4, of the Constitution: “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” On 17 May 2018 the acting Attorney […]

School ‘Guardian’ Expansion Goes To DeSantis

School ‘Guardian’ Expansion Goes To DeSantis

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) […]

Cobb Middle School Teachers Allege Hostile Work Environment

Cobb Middle School Teachers Allege Hostile Work Environment

As the saga at Cobb Middle School continues to unfold, teachers have begun to come forward with allegations that they say define a “hostile work environment.” The decision to go public with the allegations is being driven by the changing status of the Cobb Middle School Principal Sarah Hembree. Yesterday teachers at the school say […]

Major School Voucher Program Passes

Major School Voucher Program Passes

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Two decades after then-Gov. Jeb Bush started a broad push for school choice, the Florida House on Tuesday approved a closely watched expansion that will provide vouchers to thousands of children to attend private schools. As a sign of the significance of the bill (SB […]

Texting and Driving Bans Head to Governor

Texting and Driving Bans Head to Governor

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 […]

Poll: Floridians Support Proposed Sanctuary City Ban

Poll: Floridians Support Proposed Sanctuary City Ban

As first reported by FloridaPolitics.com, a new survey from St. Pete Polls finds Floridians support the Legislature’s proposals to ban sanctuary cities and wants the body to keep the current 60 percent threshold for amendments to the Florida Constitution. The poll of 2,227 registered voters found that 31 percent said they thought the Legislature was […]

Senate Signs Off On Sanctuary City Ban

Senate Signs Off On Sanctuary City Ban

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 […]