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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 17, 2025May 25, 2025

News & Views

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.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 16, 2025April 19, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 16, 2025May 6, 2025

News & Views

Trump’s cancellation of environmental justice grants affects communities like St. Pete’s Childs Park

Recently-planted trees helped battle urban heat island effect.

by Nada Hassanein and Florida Phoenix April 16, 2025July 30, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix April 15, 2025July 2, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix April 15, 2025July 26, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 15, 2025April 24, 2025

News & Views

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..

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 15, 2025April 19, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 14, 2025August 3, 2025

News & Views

University of South Florida joins list of state universities planning to work with ICE

Four UF students have had visas revoked.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix April 11, 2025July 23, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix April 10, 2025June 1, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 9, 2025June 18, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 9, 2025May 21, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2025June 3, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2025April 24, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2025May 21, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2025June 29, 2025

News & Views

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.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2025June 15, 2025

News & Views

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.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 7, 2025April 10, 2025