By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida ALLAHASSEE — As legislative leaders try to restart the budget process, Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated Monday he has no desire to take part in a sit-down suggested by the state Republican Party to hammer out differences. DeSantis rejected a “summit” with House and Senate leaders, an idea […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — Legislative budget talks blew up Friday, as the House, the Senate and Gov. Ron DeSantis tangle over tax cuts. House Speaker Daniel Perez accused Senate President Ben Albritton of backing out of a “historic tax proposal” that the leaders outlined last week as they extended […]
By The News Service of Florida First-time unemployment claims in Florida had a slight jump last week. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 6,227 initial unemployment applications were filed during the week that ended May 3, up from a revised count of 5,842 during the previous week. The state has averaged 6,149 weekly […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Attorneys for the state acknowledged Tuesday that a 2021 Florida law that placed restrictions on social-media platforms posed “First Amendment problems” but urged a federal judge to reject a legal challenge that wound its way to the U.S. Supreme Court before being sent back to […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers late Friday approved barring students in elementary and middle schools from using cell phones during the school day — and testing the idea in high schools. Current law prevents students from using cell phones during instructional time, but the change would expand that […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Santa Ono, who has led the University of Michigan since 2022, is the sole finalist to become president of the University of Florida, UF announced Sunday. A presidential-search committee recommended that the UF Board of Trustees approve Ono after a search that began last year […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would make a series of changes related to charter schools, including allowing charter schools to have stricter codes of conduct than traditional public schools. The Republican-controlled House voted 86-25 along almost straight party lines to […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies and take aim at labeling of plant-based products as milk, meat and eggs. The Republican-controlled House voted 88-27 to pass the bill (SB […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A special House committee will begin hearings this week to consider possible alternatives for asking Florida voters to cut property taxes. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, on Tuesday announced the creation of a select committee to look at potential property-tax changes that could go before […]
By The News Service of Florida Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, said Monday he hopes formal budget talks with the House can start later this week, with lawmakers finishing the spending package next week. Under such a scenario, Hooper said, lawmakers would take the weekend off before returning to Tallahassee. The Senate and the […]