Senator Albritton Eyes Phasing Out ‘Dreamers’ Tuition Break

Senator Albritton Eyes Phasing Out ‘Dreamers’ Tuition Break

By Jim Turner and Tom Urban, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Senate President Ben Albritton on Monday suggested phasing out a decade-old law that allows some undocumented immigrant students, known as “dreamers,” to receive in-state tuition rates at Florida universities and colleges. Albritton addressed the issue during a media availability, after Sen. Randy […]

UF Picks Site for Jacksonville Campus

UF Picks Site for Jacksonville Campus

By The News Service of Florida The University of Florida on Thursday announced a site for a new Jacksonville campus that will offer graduate programs and include research on semiconductor technology. The UF Board of Trustees’ Governance, Government Relations and Internal Affairs Committee approved a site near the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, according […]

Chief Justice Criticizes ‘Black Box’ PSC

Chief Justice Criticizes ‘Black Box’ PSC

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz this week sharply criticized utility regulators for not adequately justifying decisions, likening the state Public Service Commission to a “black box.” Muniz repeatedly raised the issue Tuesday as the Supreme Court heard arguments in an appeal of a 2023 Public Service Commission order approving rates for […]

Bill Cotterell: Bondi Seems a Safe Bet for Trump

Bill Cotterell: Bondi Seems a Safe Bet for Trump

There are several good reasons that Pam Bondi will be confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general. When her appointment was announced, so soon after the withdrawal of former Pensacola Congressman Matt Gaetz, reaction in Washington pretty much broke down along party lines. But mostly, there was relief that a nasty confirmation fight over Gaetz […]

New Faces & Trading Places in the Florida Legislature

New Faces & Trading Places in the Florida Legislature

By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s 2025 legislative session will begin with 26 new lawmakers in the 120-member state House and nine new Florida senators out of 40 — but the make-up of the chambers will shift in the coming months, due to President-elect Donald Trump. Republicans maintained supermajorities in […]

Jobless Claims Continue to Drop

Jobless Claims Continue to Drop

By The News Service of Florida Florida continues to see a slowdown of first-time unemployment claims since brief spikes following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The federal agency on Wednesday estimated that 6,085 initial unemployment claims in the state were filed last week, down from a revised count […]

Medical Marijuana Operators Ready to Light Up

Medical Marijuana Operators Ready to Light Up

By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis helped quash a proposal seeking to allow recreational marijuana, state health officials announced they intend to award medical-marijuana licenses to 22 of dozens of applicants who vied for the licenses more than a year ago. The move, posted on the […]

Senators Start Filing Bills for 2025 Session

Senators Start Filing Bills for 2025 Session

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State senators are off to a quick start filing bills as they gear up for the 2025 legislative session, which begins March 4. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, officially took over as leaders of their respective chambers for the […]

Patronis Seeks to Replace Gaetz

Patronis Seeks to Replace Gaetz

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Receiving President-elect Donald Trump’s endorsement and setting off political dominoes, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced Monday he will run for a Northwest Florida congressional seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. Trump also threw his endorsement behind state Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard […]

Gaetz: ‘Eight Years is Probably Enough’

Gaetz: ‘Eight Years is Probably Enough’

By The News Service of Florida Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz ended speculation Friday about whether he would return to his Northwest Florida seat when the new Congress takes office in January. “I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz said in a podcast interview with Turning Point USA founder and President Charlie […]