By The News Service of Florida The Florida Senate isn’t expected this year to address a major state Supreme Court ruling that said unanimous jury recommendations are not necessary before death sentences can be imposed. “I don’t think we’re going to take steps in the Florida Senate to change or address that,” Senate President Bill […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration contends the state is “threatened with irreparable harm” if a federal judge’s ruling is upheld. But attorneys for felons who want voting rights restored say the state’s position seeks to undermine a “bedrock constitutional principle.” More than a year after Floridians […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to make a priority of reshaping the Florida Supreme Court, he will choose from among nine nominees to replace former justices Barbara Lagoa and Robert Luck. The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominee Commission on Thursday released the list of nominees, […]
By Amy Farnum-Patronis, Florida State University News Four of Florida State University’s online graduate programs are ranking in the nation’s Top 20, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Online Programs. “It is very exciting to see our online graduate programs recognized among the top 20 in the nation,” said Robert Fuselier, director of […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers this week kicked off the 2020 legislative session with an action-packed schedule that featured speeches from Republican leaders, early tension over high-profile issues and a key Florida Supreme Court ruling. In his State of the State address Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis told legislators […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Siding with Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Supreme Court decided Thursday that a state law requiring payment of “legal financial obligations” properly carried out a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences. DeSantis asked the court for what is known […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Republican-dominated Legislature has long pushed back against requiring employers to conduct immigration background checks for new hires, but a bill filed Friday includes a potential compromise that could hand a win to Gov. Ron DeSantis on the controversial issue. The bill, filed by Rep. […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Gaining initial legislative support last year might have been the easy part for controversial and expensive toll-road projects envisioned to cut through more than 300 miles of mostly rural land from Collier County to the Georgia border. With many environmental and business groups split about the need […]
By The News Service of Florida A day before the 2020 legislative session starts, a Senate panel will consider legislation aimed at increasing teacher pay, a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill (SB 1088), sponsored by Senate Education Chairman Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, is meant to be a vehicle for the governor’s pitch […]
By Jim Saunders, Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The 2020 legislative session will start Jan. 14 as House and Senate members gather to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address. Lawmakers will take up a wide range of issues during the 60-day session, along with negotiating a budget for […]