By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A campaign about free speech on Florida college campuses — a hot-button issue across the nation — is being backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and public university presidents, who signed a resolution vowing to welcome all types of debate unless they promote “true threats or […]
By The News Service of Florida Staff With this year’s legislative session in its final three weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis took time Monday to rally support for his education priorities at a Tampa Christian school. He told a crowd that he thinks his administration is on track to deliver on a number of his priorities […]
More than five months after Florida voters approved a ban on workplace vaping, the issue is on the way to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The House on Thursday gave unanimous approval to a bill (SB 7012) that would carry out the voter-approved constitutional amendment. The Senate unanimously passed the bill last month. The constitutional amendment, placed […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate’s top Democrat struggled Wednesday to quell a bipartisan firestorm over her opposition to a measure designed to snuff out anti-Semitism at schools and colleges. Speaking to reporters, Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson stopped short of apologizing but insisted that she is not […]
By Tom Urban, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After rallying and testimony from numerous activists on both sides of the issue, a Senate panel Monday approved a proposal that would require minors to receive parental consent before having abortions. The Senate Health Policy Committee voted 5-4 to support the bill (SB 1774), sponsored […]
Next week Republican voters will go to the polls to choose between four candidates in the primary special election for Florida House District 7. Voters are tasked with choosing between candidates that are all running as conservatives. The candidates include Mike Watkins, Lynda Bell, Jason Shoaf and Virginia Fuller. The media buzz and campaign donations […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers are ready for the big dance. The Florida House on Thursday overwhelmingly passed an $89.9 billion spending plan, setting the stage for the annual ritual of negotiating a budget with the Senate. Big picture, the House and Senate are about $400 million apart, […]
By John Haughey, Watchdog.org Last wee a Senate committee approved a proposal to restrict local governments’ ability to levy and collect fees from communications providers as part of a proposed cut in the state’s communications sales tax that Florida TaxWatch projects could save consumers $128 million over the next two years. Three House panels green-lighted […]
By The News Service of Florida State regulators Tuesday approved a plan by Duke Energy Florida to recoup money from customers for two solar power plants in Columbia and Hamilton counties. Duke sought approval from the state Public Service Commission to collect about $29.2 million a year for the 74.9-megawatt facilities in the North Florida […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A move to eliminate Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system advanced Monday in the Senate, though a similar House proposal has not been heard as the annual legislative session reaches its halfway point this week. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 5-3 to approve the […]