The News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did not get as much money as he wanted for teacher bonuses in the new state budget, but he told reporters Wednesday it will be an issue that he would like to tackle during the 2020 legislative session. “I think the formula is a little bit different […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Republican lawmakers on Wednesday gave final passage to a wide-ranging school safety bill that would allow classroom teachers to be armed, reversing a decision made last year after the mass school shooting in Parkland. Despite backlash from Democrats, the Republican-dominated House passed legislation (SB 7030) […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Two decades after then-Gov. Jeb Bush started a broad push for school choice, the Florida House on Tuesday approved a closely watched expansion that will provide vouchers to thousands of children to attend private schools. As a sign of the significance of the bill (SB […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Law enforcement officers could pull over motorists they see texting and driving on Florida roads, under a bill now headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis. With a vote of 108-7, the House on Monday passed a compromise measure (HB 107) that blends a ban on texting […]
As first reported by FloridaPolitics.com, a new survey from St. Pete Polls finds Floridians support the Legislature’s proposals to ban sanctuary cities and wants the body to keep the current 60 percent threshold for amendments to the Florida Constitution. The poll of 2,227 registered voters found that 31 percent said they thought the Legislature was […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE — The Senate on Friday passed legislation outlawing so-called sanctuary city policies in Florida, reversing course on a politically charged issue that it has blocked for the past three years. In a nod to one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ top legislative priorities, a sharply divided Senate voted […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After a long and fiery debate about how the state should deal with illegal immigration, the Florida House on Wednesday passed legislation that seeks to crack down on local governments that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The measure, if passed by the […]
The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Buckle up. The 2019 legislative session is about ready to pick up speed. When lawmakers come back from the holiday weekend, they will be poised to start budget negotiations and to try to resolve a laundry list of major — and controversial — issues. That means a sprint […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As calls from hurricane-battered Northwest Florida grow more desperate for state and federal financial help, Sen. Bill Montford on Tuesday removed a request for $315 million from a relief package while lawmakers prepare for budget talks. Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who is one of three […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday downplayed growing concerns that President Donald Trump is putting Florida’s coastal waters back in play for oil exploration. A political ally of the president, DeSantis said he will “be raising Cain” if drilling plans advance that include Florida waters, particularly […]