News Service of Florida

“Sports teams are going to play here whether we pay them or not.”

The surge in demand for benefits caused a tax increase on businesses that took effect in January.

“It gets a little frustrating to have to keep going back and talk about” a court martial that occurred over 30 years ago, he added.

“I am all about staying ahead of whatever problems could develop,” Baxley said.

“There’s no useless degrees. But there should be a way to wire hire-ability into this, because people need to make a living,” Baxley said.

“The Biden administration’s actions will allow criminal aliens to be released into and move freely in the state of Florida…”

“We can’t wait any longer.”

The change will take effect March 15 and was announced after more than 2.64 million people ages 65 and older have been vaccinated.

“This is clearly going to reduce vote-by-mail in Democratic counties. … And so, I can’t support this.”

“The fact pattern is simply just too clear to avoid. Give campaign-contribution big dollars, and get special access to vaccines, ahead of seniors and ahead of our teachers.”

President Joe Biden signed an executive order in January authorizing the special enrollment period because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In these crazy times we live in, what is the definition of a grandparent, and how far do we expand that?” asked Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach.

John Mower, public policy director for the LGBTQ advocacy organization Equality Florida, said the Senate measure “could compel schools to out LGBTQ youth.”

“Businesses are afforded some of the same First Amendment rights as individuals,” the staff analysis said.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat, took issue with DeSantis’ priorities and said people in the state are “still suffering.”

“The current system is working with ZERO problems. Unlike the pharmaceutical and alcohol industry where we see deaths routinely and huge human suffering.”

On Friday, DeSantis issued an executive order that allows physicians to vaccinate people under 65 who are deemed “extremely vulnerable” to the disease.

The order said Florida is “leading the effort to distribute the vaccine to the elderly and vulnerable populations of the state.”

Nationally, the Department of Labor estimated 730,000 first-time unemployment claims were filed last week.

The plan, sponsored by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, would also fold existing voucher programs into two main scholarships.