By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida House members Wednesday began moving forward with a proposal that would raise limits on payments by state agencies, local governments, school districts and public hospitals in lawsuits over people getting injured. The House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee approved a bill (HB 301) that […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With Gov. Ron DeSantis describing him as a “bulldog,” James Uthmeier was elevated Monday to become Florida attorney general after serving as the governor’s chief of staff. While DeSantis had said earlier he would appoint Uthmeier to succeed former Attorney General Ashley Moody, he made […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — President Donald Trump emerged as the biggest winner Thursday as the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a suite of measures aimed at strengthening enforcement of illegal immigration. Quickly signed into law by the governor, the wide-ranging plan toughens penalties for crimes committed by […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After a bipartisan uproar last year about a proposal dubbed the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” the Florida Senate on Tuesday began moving forward with a bill that would prevent building such things as golf courses, pickleball courts and hotel-style lodges in state parks. The Senate Environment […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers on Tuesday launched a third special session aimed at increasing enforcement of illegal immigration, putting aside an intraparty clash with Gov. Ron DeSantis over plans to help carry out one of President Donald Trump’s top priorities. Lawmakers are slated to vote Thursday on […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After a special session late last month spiraled into a clash between Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida lawmakers will meet in another special session this week to pass a package of bills targeting illegal immigration — with DeSantis’ support. Senate President Ben […]
A federal appeals court will not reconsider an opinion last year that sided with the Florida High School Athletic Association in a long-running dispute about a blocking a Tampa Christian school from offering a prayer over a stadium loudspeaker before a high-school football championship game. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week turned […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Special Florida House panels are teed up next week to scrutinize Gov. Ron DeSantis’ line-item budget vetoes, setting up possible overrides amid a dispute between the governor and Republican legislative leaders over immigration-enforcement plans. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, on Thursday assembled four “combined workgroups” […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After spending a week castigating a legislative plan addressing illegal immigration, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday adopted a more conciliatory tone as he laid out his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. DeSantis has been locked in a fierce battle with House Speaker Daniel […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis late Sunday proposed a $115.6 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that calls for increasing pay for state law-enforcement officers and firefighters, eliminating a commercial-lease tax and holding a new sales-tax “holiday” on guns and ammunition. The proposal is an initial […]