By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Expect an economic impact study as a first step as discussions ramp up about the future of property taxes in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis in recent weeks has called for cutting property taxes, while also criticizing spending by local governments. Meanwhile, lawmakers have proposed a […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — While saying Florida has been a leader on issues such as cracking down on illegal immigration, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday helped launch the 2025 legislative session by calling for revamping the ballot-initiative process, curbing property taxes and revisiting gun laws. DeSantis largely stuck to […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With school districts across the state expressing support, Florida senators Monday started moving forward with a bill that would repeal requirements aimed at later daily start times in many high schools. Lawmakers in 2023 approved the requirements, citing a need for older students to get […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A 2024 Florida law aimed at keeping children off of social-media platforms came under scrutiny Friday, as lawyers for the state told a federal judge the measure is addressing a “mental-health crisis” and attorneys for industry groups argued the restrictions violate First Amendment rights. The […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After announcing his candidacy Tuesday night on Fox News, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds filed paperwork Wednesday to formally enter the 2026 race for governor. Donalds, a Naples Republican, became the first major candidate to enter the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds made […]
TALLAHASSEE — Taking a page from billionaire Elon Musk’s push to cut federal spending, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday announced a new panel that will review about 900 state positions, university spending, local government spending and the need for about 70 state boards and commissions. Embracing the rapid action by the federal Department of Government […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — All of the state’s 67 counties have entered agreements with federal immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrant criminals in jails, the Florida Sheriffs Association announced on Monday as the state rushes to assist President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. The agreements bring counties into compliance […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers next week will start the annual legislative session, which will include considering hundreds of bills. Here are 10 issues to watch during the 60-day session: — BUDGET: Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a $115.6 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida port leaders continue to point to supply-chain problems in recent years as they push lawmakers to increase transportation infrastructure funding. Appearing before the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee on Thursday, a panel of port officials pointed to a need for improvements as a hedge against […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLHASSEE — Three days into his job, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday announced a class-action lawsuit that alleges Target Corp. did not properly disclose to investors the risks of a 2023 LGBTQ Pride campaign that drew a consumer backlash and caused a drop in the […]