New Year Brings Lobbying Restrictions, Toll Breaks

New Year Brings Lobbying Restrictions, Toll Breaks

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Beefed up lobbying restrictions and breaks for motorists who frequently use toll roads are among state laws and other changes that will arrive with the new year. The laws, passed during this year’s regular legislative session and special sessions, also include making available land-preservation money, […]

DeSantis Takes Aim at Teacher Union Dues

DeSantis Takes Aim at Teacher Union Dues

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signaled that he will make a priority of passing a long-debated proposal that would prevent teachers from having union dues deducted from their paychecks. DeSantis supported the proposal Monday during a speech in Orlando, describing it as “paycheck protection legislation.” The […]

State Sets Stage for More Marijuana Licenses

State Sets Stage for More Marijuana Licenses

By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State health regulators on Monday set in motion a process to issue up to 22 more medical-marijuana licenses, in a highly anticipated move that could double the size of Florida’s medical-cannabis industry. The state Department of Health also published an emergency rule that would make […]

Ten Big Issues in Insurance Overhaul

Ten Big Issues in Insurance Overhaul

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers this week held a special session and passed a 105-page bill aimed at stabilizing the state’s troubled property-insurance system. The bill (SB 2-A) deals with numerous issues, including lawsuits, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and critical reinsurance coverage. Here are 10 key […]

Florida Unemployment Claims Down

Florida Unemployment Claims Down

Unemployment claims in Florida dipped slightly last week, while the number of first-time claims nationally fell to the lowest mark since September. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday released a report that estimated 5,685 new claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended Dec. 10, down from a revised count of 6,393 […]

School LGBTQ Support Guides Face Scrutiny

School LGBTQ Support Guides Face Scrutiny

By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — The State Board of Education is slated this week to scrutinize LGBTQ support guides and bathroom policies for transgender students in 10 school districts, as state officials question whether they are violating a law known as the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” and other measures. The […]

Red States, Blue States Choose Sides on Education Law

Red States, Blue States Choose Sides on Education Law

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The legal battle over a Florida law that restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation is pitting red states against blue states. Republican attorneys general of 14 states last week sought approval to file a brief supporting Florida in a fight about the […]

Insurance Proposals Could Bring Big Changes

Insurance Proposals Could Bring Big Changes

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With a special legislative session poised to start, the Florida House and Senate late Friday released proposals that would make far-reaching changes in the state’s troubled property-insurance system. The bills (HB 1A and SB 2A) would take steps to reduce litigation costs, move policies out […]

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