Justices’ Ruling Could Affect Gun Age Case

Justices’ Ruling Could Affect Gun Age Case

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — A U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday upholding a ban on gun possession by people under domestic-violence restraining orders will refuel a legal battle about a Florida law that prevents people under age 21 from buying rifles and shotguns. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals […]

Jobless Rate Stays at 3.3 Percent

Jobless Rate Stays at 3.3 Percent

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE —With state officials pointing to issues such as job growth in the construction industry, Florida’s unemployment rate remained at 3.3 percent in May, according to a report released Friday. The rate also was 3.3 percent in April, after inching up from 3.2 percent in March and […]

State Urges Rejection of Abortion ‘Statement’ Ruling

State Urges Rejection of Abortion ‘Statement’ Ruling

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A state panel will meet in July to consider revising a “financial impact statement” that has touched off a legal fight as Floridians prepare to vote this fall on a proposed constitutional amendment about abortion rights. But while revisions could be coming, state lawyers Thursday […]

Citizens Insurance Rate Hikes Backed

Citizens Insurance Rate Hikes Backed

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida While saying Florida’s insurance market is improving, the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors on Wednesday backed a proposal that would lead to customers across the state seeing double-digit rate increases in 2025. The proposal, in part, would lead to an average 13.5 percent rate increase […]

Judge Weighs Arguments in FSU-ACC Fight

Judge Weighs Arguments in FSU-ACC Fight

BY Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A Leon County circuit judge on Tuesday heard arguments about whether Florida State University’s lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference should be allowed to continue, in the latest chapter in a series of legal fights playing out in Tallahassee and North Carolina. Much of Tuesday’s […]

DeSantis Gets Final Batch of Bills

DeSantis Gets Final Batch of Bills

By The News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday received a final batch of 37 bills that passed during the 2024 legislative session. The bills include measures about regulation of vacation rental properties (SB 280), prohibiting drivers from cruising in the left lanes of highways (HB 317) and controversial changes in ethics laws […]

House, Senate Leaders to Tap ‘Rainy Day’ Money

House, Senate Leaders to Tap ‘Rainy Day’ Money

By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate leaders plan to use “rainy day reserve” money to keep afloat about 200 jobs after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $56 million from part of the state budget that pays for “legislative support services.” The vetoes wiped out funding for joint […]

Democrats Lock Up 11 Legislative Seats

Democrats Lock Up 11 Legislative Seats

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Eleven candidates, mostly incumbents, won legislative races Friday as they did not draw opponents before a qualifying deadline, while the Florida Democratic Party hit a goal of having candidates vie for every seat up for election. Two Democrats — former House members Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando […]

Passidomo, Renner: Don’t Worry After Vetoes

Passidomo, Renner: Don’t Worry After Vetoes

By The News Service of Florida House and Senate leaders rushed to assure about 200 legislative workers that “they do not need to worry” after Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday slashed more than $56 million from part of the state budget that pays for “legislative support services.” DeSantis’ vetoes included roughly $28.3 million for the […]

DeSantis Signs $116.5 Billion Budget

DeSantis Signs $116.5 Billion Budget

By Jim Turner & Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a $116.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, after vetoing close to $950 million in spending approved by lawmakers in March. “Some of the stuff I don’t think was appropriate for state tax dollars,” DeSantis […]