By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers Thursday gave final approval to a bill that seeks to keep children under age 16 off social-media platforms, as Gov. Ron DeSantis continued to raise concerns about the measure. The House voted 108-7 to pass the bill (HB 1), which has been a […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Legislation backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that seeks to prevent homeless people from sleeping in public places is ready to go to the full Senate and House. The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Thursday voted 14-4 to back the Senate version of the bill (SB […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate on Thursday revamped a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social media, as a debate continued about the proposal’s constitutionality and whether it would infringe on parental rights. House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, has made the bill (HB […]
By The News Service of Florida Local law-enforcement review boards could be filled with appointees of sheriffs or police chiefs under a bill that was revised Tuesday by the Senate Community Affairs Committee. The bill (SB 576), sponsored by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, initially sought to do away with existing civilian police-review boards and […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday supported legislation that seeks to prevent homeless people from sleeping in public places such as streets, sidewalks and parks, as a Senate committee moved forward with the proposal. “I think what we’re envisioning is providing some support for counties for […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In a win for Gov. Ron DeSantis, a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the state unconstitutionally retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts because of the company’s opposition to a controversial education law. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor issued a 17-page ruling […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With the full House ready to take up a bill that would loosen work restrictions for 16- and 17-year-old youths, the Senate began moving forward Tuesday with a proposal that would not be as far-reaching. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved a proposal (SB […]
By The News Service of Florida The Florida House and Senate on Friday released proposed budgets for the 2024-2025 fiscal year that top $115 billion — but would be less than the current year’s spending plan. The Senate proposal (SB 2500) totaled $115.9 billion, while the House proposal (PCB APC 24-01) came in just under […]
By The News Service of Florida First-time unemployment claims dropped in Florida after a brief post-holiday season increase. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 5,610 unemployment applications were filed last week in Florida, down from 7,103 during the week that ended Jan. 13. Last week’s total was similar to the state’s 5,697 weekly […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — With his presidential campaign in the background, Gov. Ron DeSantis used his annual State of the State address Tuesday to tout Florida’s accomplishments — while offering few new details of priorities for the 2024 legislative session. DeSantis’ speech in the state House chamber formally launched […]