News & Views

Florida Supreme Court will hear dispute over state law punishing cities that pass gun-related regulations

Florida since 1987 has barred cities and counties from passing regulations that are stricter than state firearms laws.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 31, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida lawmakers didn’t address ‘radical growth’ of Citizens insurance during special session

Citizens had 851,006 policies on April 30, up from 453,911 policies two years earlier.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 27, 2022March 16, 2024

News & Views

In special session, Florida lawmakers skip changes specifically addressing Citizens Insurance’s growth and premiums

With more than 850,000 policies, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has become an 800-pound gorilla in Florida’s troubled insurance market.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 26, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

‘$2 billion tax giveaway’: Tampa Sen. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa criticizes proposed property insurance changes

Bill sponsor says Florida’s property insurance chances likely won’t lead to immediate rate cuts for homeowners

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 25, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Legislators want to stabilize Florida’s property insurance crisis, but it may not be enough

“We are being tone deaf, I believe, to what is really going on out in our communities.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 24, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

State of Florida disputes ‘racist motivations’ ruling in so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ law

Lawmakers passed the measure in May 2019 along nearly straight party lines, before Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 23, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Fraudulent roof-damage claims eyed for Florida’s property insurance crisis special session

Insurers blame questionable, if not fraudulent, roof-damage claims for driving up costs.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 23, 2022September 16, 2024

News & Views

Florida property insurance companies seek rate hikes as high as nearly 50 percent

The proposals are the latest evidence of problems in the state’s property-insurance system.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 18, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Judge lifts stay on injunction against Florida’s new congressional maps

Monday’s decision to lift the stay could lead to supervisors beginning to use the map that Smith ordered.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 17, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Voting-rights groups want to fast track Florida’s battle over congressional districts

The case centers on District 5, which, after a 2015 Florida Supreme Court decision, has stretched from Jacksonville to west of Tallahassee.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 16, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida fires back in congressional redistricting lawsuit

Attorneys said keeping the current District 5 would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 10, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Tampa’s District 14, and other hotly contested Florida Senate races to watch

Some of the most hotly contested — and expensive — races will be for seats in the state Senate, where Republicans hold a 24-16 majority.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 3, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Tampa-based Lighthouse Property Insurance liquidated, as problems with Florida’s property-insurance market mount

Lighthouse became the third Florida property-insurer to be declared insolvent since late February.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 2, 2022May 12, 2025

News & Views

Amended federal lawsuit targets Florida’s ‘discriminatory’ redistricting plan

Meanwhile, the plan passed during the special session also faces a challenge in Leon County circuit court.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 2, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Federal court takes up case involving Ocala police chief who led prayer vigil

Ocala contends that the event had a secular purpose as police sought community assistance in combating the crimes.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida April 28, 2022October 30, 2024

News & Views

Florida Gov. DeSantis vetoes controversial ‘net metering’ roof-top solar bill

Opponents of the bill quickly praised the veto, saying it would help efforts to boost renewable energy.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida April 28, 2022January 9, 2025

News & Views

Florida’s gopher tortoises may get increased federal protections

“They’re severely threatened by development-caused habitat loss and fragmentation.”

by Jim Saunders April 27, 2022September 19, 2024

News & Views

Florida Department of Health is now targeting health care for transgender youth

“DeSantis wants the government to intrude into doctors’ offices to pander to extremists in service to his political ambitions.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida April 20, 2022April 21, 2025

News & Views

Move against Disney shows Florida Gov. DeSantis’ grip on Republican Party

“To govern by revenge, to govern for punishment is not governing. It’s authoritarianism. It’s fascism.”

by Dara Kam, Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida April 20, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

DeSantis is now going after Disney World’s self-governing special district

“His real purpose is to punish Disney for having the nerve to stand up and say, “Don’t say gay is wrong.'”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida April 19, 2022October 9, 2023

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