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Bill banning oil drilling near Florida’s estuarine research reserves passes unanimously in House
There are three such reserves in Florida — the Apalachicola in North Florida.
Florida Phoenix
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Florida House approves proposal to protect state parks from development
The bill says that state parks must be managed to provide the greatest benefit to the state, with plans for managed areas larger than 1,000 acres required to provide an analysis.
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Amid tax talk, some Florida lawmakers want to close ‘loopholes that let giant corporations shift profits’
‘Right now in Florida, multinational corporations are treating our state like an all-you-can-eat buffet.’
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Florida is one step closer to officially preventing public water systems from using fluoride
The omnibus proposal would also bar plant-based products from using ‘milk’ and ‘meat’ and ‘egg’ labels.
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Trump’s cancellation of environmental justice grants affects communities like St. Pete’s Childs Park
Recently-planted trees helped battle urban heat island effect.
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Gov. DeSantis says Florida doesn’t need federal funds to handle disasters
He emphasized that he doesn’t anticipate Trump would eliminate FEMA without the federal government giving grants to the states.
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Gov. DeSantis says he’ll veto legislation ending remote work for state agency heads
While the governor’s bashing was aimed at the House, the Senate is also moving forward with the proposal.
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Florida Senate leader lays out bill that explores implications of permanently reducing property taxes
The bill directs the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to conduct a study to establish a framework to reduce, or eliminate taxes for homesteaded property.
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Florida House advances bill requiring Florida DEP ‘balancing test’ before considering to drill for oil
The House bill sponsors said that their legislation is a response to a decision last year by the FDEP to permit an exploratory oil well along the Apalachicola River..
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Florida’s proposed cell phone driving, and shotgun purchasing, bills among those struggling as end of session approaches
Education and health care bills are also in jeopardy.
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University of South Florida joins list of state universities planning to work with ICE
Four UF students have had visas revoked.
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Florida House advances bill allowing parents to claim damages in the wrongful death of a fetus
Democrats’ attempts to allow only the pregnant person to bring suits and to shield people helping someone secure an abortion from the wrongful death suits failed.
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Florida House panel advances bill that limits local councils’ power to give themselves raises
Tampa City Council last summer approved an almost 40% pay raise for themselves, from $54,000 to $75,000.
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Tampa Rep. Karen Gonzalez-Pittman opposes amendment term-limiting county officials
If passed, voters would be asked to impose eight-year term limits on commissioners and school board members.
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After amendments, environmentalists now support bill to limit development on Florida state parks
HB 209 is a response to plans to construct lodges, golf courses, pickleball courts and disc golf courses in nine state parks.
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Pinellas representative’s bill requiring E-Verify for all Florida businesses advances to House
Florida is one of 23 states that use E-Verify in some fashion, although only a handful require all private companies to use the system.
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In latest spat with Florida House, DeSantis complains about inaction on boating bill
The the ‘Boater Freedom Act’ would prohibit police from stopping boats to conduct safety inspections.
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St. Pete consultant responds to critics of massive fundraising in Florida’s special elections
Jackson McMillan’s candidates in deep red districts lost by double digits, despite the campaigns hauling in more than $20 million.
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Florida bill allowing some workers to make less than minimum wage advances to House floor
South Florida Democratic Rep. Felicia Robinson said that in the current economic climate, ‘I cannot see someone working for less than the minimum wage. Period.’
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Inmate advocates work to air-condition some Florida prisons this session
The idea started with prison rights advocate Connie Edson, who has worked for five years to try to give inmates relief from the scorching Florida temperatures.