By The News Service of Florida Florida totaled nearly $3.43 billion in net general revenue in January, $40.1 million more than had been projected in a January forecast. The Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research on Wednesday released a report that showed sales taxes, which make up the largest part of general revenue, totaled […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida A federal appeals court Tuesday said the Florida High School Athletic Association did not violate First Amendment rights when it blocked a Tampa Christian school from offering a prayer over a stadium loudspeaker before a 2015 high-school football championship game. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. […]
A political committee leading efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to allow recreational use of marijuana raised $11 million from Aug. 16 through Aug. 23, with $10 million coming from the Trulieve cannabis company, according to a new finance report. The Smart & Safe Florida political committee had raised a total of $82.62 million in […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida A day after being indicted by a grand jury on forgery and other charges, state Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-Windermere, turned herself in at the Orange County Jail on Thursday. The 29-year-old legislator, who is running for re-election in November, was indicted on charges of forgery, uttering a […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Trying to quell a bipartisan uproar, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that “half-baked” plans to bring golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts to state parks will be revamped. DeSantis said the Department of Environmental Protection will gather more public input before it could move forward with […]
By The News Service of Florida A federal judge next week will consider a renewed attempt to shield Escambia County School Board members from testifying about a decision to remove the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” from school libraries. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor is scheduled to hold a hearing Sept. 4 on a […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Environmentalists are seeking assurances that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has scrapped plans for a series of golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park after a state spokeswoman said the proposal has been dropped. Audubon Florida, the Sierra Club and other groups also are rallying against additional changes […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing a controversial proposal to add lodges, pickleball courts and golf at state parks, as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office on Thursday defended the idea of making the sites “more visitor-friendly.” The Florida Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the proposal, dubbed the […]
By The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Port Canaveral leaders acquiesced Wednesday to demands by the state and reversed plans for a new cruise terminal that could have been an impediment to future needs of the space industry. The Port Canaveral Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to end plans set in May for redesignating […]
By The News Service of Florida Democratic-endorsed school board candidates fared somewhat better Tuesday than candidates backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. In July, DeSantis pitched an initial list of 23 endorsements for 2024 races. Of those candidates, six won primaries Tuesday, 11 lost and six others moved on to runoffs that will be decided in […]