By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Secretary of State Laurel Lee, a former circuit judge who helped steer Florida through the 2020 elections, is stepping down after a little more than three years in her post. Lee’s resignation is effective Monday and came as Florida prepares for the Aug. 23 primary […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Six months away from becoming the state House Democratic leader, Rep. Ramon Alexander on Thursday announced he won’t seek re-election this year to his North Florida seat amid a controversy involving sexual-harassment allegations. Alexander was chosen last year to become House Democratic leader after the […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Calling it a “blockbuster day for freedom,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that will require public-school students to observe “Victims of Communism Day” on Nov. 7 each year. The new law, which went into effect immediately, describes the day as being geared […]
Florida State Representative Jason Shoaf (R) is calling for the removal of a Leon County middle school principal after the principal posted on Facebook that parents are “getting in our way.” Shoaf’s call for action is in response to a media report about comments in a Facebook post by Sarah Hembree, the principal of Elizabeth […]
Kevin Cate, the campaign consultant for Florida gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, recently noted the Republican electoral advantage facing Democrats running for statewide office. Cate previously worked on the 2014 Charlie Crist campaign and the 2018 Andrew Gillum campaign for Florida governor. In a series of tweets, Cate provided his “perspective on the Florida Democratic primary […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In a win for the rooftop-solar industry and environmental groups, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed a controversial bill that would have made major changes in rules for rooftop-solar energy. The bill (HB 741) dealt with a somewhat-wonky issue known as “net metering.” But it […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers will return to the Capitol the week of May 23 to address problems in the property-insurance system that have led to homeowners losing coverage and facing soaring premiums. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday called a special session from May 23 to May 27 […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill aimed at dissolving a special taxing district that has granted Walt Disney World unique self-governing powers for more than five decades, even as a leading bond-rating agency cautioned investors about the proposed changes. The bill (SB 4-C) […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A Florida federal judge on Monday struck down a requirement that travelers wear masks in airports and on planes, trains and buses, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority as it tried to prevent the spread of COVID-19. U.S. District Judge […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As state leaders take on what they are calling a “fatherhood crisis” in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that will provide about $70 million to bolster programs aimed at equipping dads with parenting resources and helping foster youth. The measure (HB […]