By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers ended the 2023 legislative session Friday. During the 60-day session, the Republican-controlled House and Senate passed numerous high-profile bills that lined up with priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Here are snapshots of 10 big issues: — ABORTION: After passing a 15-week abortion limit […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Turmoil continued Wednesday in the public-corruption trial of former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum amid revelations that a juror posted information about the case on social media after deliberations began. Information about the social-media posts surfaced a day after jurors told U.S. District Judge Allen […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Mostly silent on the issue for the past year, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit arguing its First Amendment rights were violated and business harmed by a “relentless campaign” of retribution orchestrated by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials. The […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — A key Senate committee on Tuesday approved a scaled-back proposal aimed at requiring transgender men and women to use restrooms that line up with their sex assigned at birth, as protesters marched to the Capitol to speak out against bills targeting the LGBTQ community. Florida […]
BY Jim Turner & Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate negotiators expressed optimism Monday as they began trading budget proposals, despite gaps in spending over issues such as public schools, land preservation and tourism marketing. “I think we’re in great shape. We’ve been working really well with our House […]
A House plan to eliminate the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida and relocate tourism-marketing efforts also would lead to a change in the name of the state Department of Economic Opportunity. The House Appropriations Committee on Friday voted 19-7 to approve a bill (HB 5) that would do away with Enterprise Florida and change the name […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to shift to holding partisan school-board elections. The proposal (HJR 31) will go on the 2024 ballot and, if approved by voters, would do away with a requirement that school-board […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In the latest round in a years-long fight about Florida elections laws, the House on Wednesday moved forward with a proposal that would make wide-ranging changes such as placing additional restrictions on voter-registration groups. Republican supporters said the bill, in part, would help ensure that […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Escalating his attacks on Walt Disney Co., Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday announced plans to revoke changes made by the former Reedy Creek Improvement District board and to increase state oversight of the entertainment giant’s theme-park rides. Also, DeSantis said his hand-picked board to replace […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Moving quickly on what supporters call the “Heartbeat Protection Act,” Gov. Ron DeSantis late Thursday signed a bill that would prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. DeSantis’ office announced the signing about 11 p.m., several hours after the House gave final approval to the […]