By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis drew praise as “a true environmental leader” but was also criticized for not putting more money toward the Florida Forever program and failing to adequately prepare the state for climate change as he released a proposed $91.4 billion budget on Monday. DeSantis […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday proposed a $91.4 billion state budget for next year, touting plans to funnel more money to public-school teachers and continue “momentum” on environmental issues. The proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare for the January start of the annual legislative […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the Florida Legislature to abandon the embattled “Best and Brightest” bonus program and replace it with a new plan to offer bonuses to public-school teachers and principals. The governor said Thursday his proposed bonus program aims to provide incentives to teachers […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Facing the possibility that Floridians could be asked next year to legalize recreational marijuana, a House panel on Tuesday turned to Oregon to learn more about the economic, environmental and health impacts the state has faced since authorizing adult pot use four years ago. Chris […]
The News Service of Florida After scoring a victory Tuesday when the NCAA governing board moved toward letting college athletes make endorsement money, Florida lawmakers are looking to add “safeguards” to legislative proposals filed for the 2020 session. Before the NCAA’s announcement, four Florida lawmakers had filed bills aimed at allowing college athletes to cash […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis will prioritize a controversial proposal that would require Florida businesses to use a federal system to check the immigration status of new hires, but the leader of the Florida Senate said Tuesday he is “cautious” about passing such a plan. “I expect […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Heeding the pleas of parents whose children were slaughtered in the state’s worst school shooting, the Florida Senate delivered a major victory Wednesday to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis by removing embattled Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel from office. DeSantis, as a candidate for governor last […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In a battle about a constitutional amendment passed last November, a federal judge said Friday that Florida cannot deny the right to vote to felons who have served their sentences but are “genuinely unable” to pay legal financial obligations. The ruling, however, was only a […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel faced a legislative showdown Monday in the fight to get his job back, amid procedural wrangling that began before senators even began considering his fate. The Senate formally opened a special session Monday morning on Israel’s appeal of his […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Potential environmental impacts from a series of controversial toll-road projects could start to be known shortly after the start of the new year. Will Watts, chief engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation, said Wednesday that preliminary routes for the three projects will be based […]