By The News Service of Florida First-time unemployment claims in Florida continued a downward trend, with fewer claims recorded last week than during any non-holiday shortened week since Hurricane Ian hit the state in September. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday released a report that estimated 5,034 claims were filed in Florida during the […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers next week will start the annual 60-day legislative session. Here are 10 big issues to watch: — AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, has made a priority of trying to find ways to make housing more affordable for workers. The Senate could […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Nikki Fried, the last Democrat to hold a statewide office in Florida, was selected Saturday to chair the Florida Democratic Party as it looks to recover from its latest disastrous election cycle. Fried emerged the winner in a four-way contest at the Sheraton Orlando North […]
The News Service of Florida A House panel Wednesday approved a proposal that could lead to people and organizations getting hit with the tab for legal fees if they unsuccessfully challenge changes to comprehensive growth-management plans. The House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee approved the bill (HB 359) despite opposition from environmental […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Senate began moving forward Tuesday with a proposal that would make every Florida student eligible for state-backed vouchers that could be used for private-school tuition and various other expenses, while opponents argued the measure would harm traditional public schools. The Senate Education PreK-12 Committee […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — For the second time in less than five months, a federal judge has rejected a lawsuit seeking to block a controversial Florida law that restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor on Wednesday issued a 21-page decision dismissing […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined a legislative proposal Monday to expand rules to prevent state pension investments that use ratings he and other Republican leaders consider “woke.” DeSantis said the legislation, which will be pursued during the legislative session that will start March 7, would block […]
The News Service of Florida After losing a campaign last year for governor, former state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has launched a bid to chair the Florida Democratic Party. In a prepared statement Monday, Fried said she would “commit to rebuilding our party from the ground up” after Democrats in 2022 lost every statewide race […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine on Friday refused to scrap new rules prohibiting doctors from using gender-affirming care for trans youths, after dozens of transgender men and women pleaded with them to reverse the treatment bans. Also, at […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After an outcry, the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors on Thursday dropped questions about student-athletes’ menstrual cycles from a physical evaluation form. The board voted 14-2 to drop the questions from the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation form. The board was slated later this […]