Florida Republican behind state’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill pleads guilty to $150K COVID relief fraud

Harding, who received $150,000 in disaster assistance, in February 2021 admitted to federal investigators that he lied on the application.

by News Service of Florida March 22, 2023October 20, 2023

News & Views

Florida Republicans advance bill cracking down on drag shows

“This manufactured moral panic about drag shows is about policing culture.”

by News Service of Florida March 22, 2023August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida lawmakers are considering sending students to school year-round

“Number one, this bill could help every child that participates. Number two, we have lost two years due to COVID for education.”

by Ryan Dailey and News Service of Florida March 21, 2023June 12, 2025

News & Views

Florida Senate panel backs six-week abortion ban

“Women’s lives are being put at risk,” Book said. “What are we doing?”

by News Service of Florida March 21, 2023September 11, 2024

News & Views

Florida Republicans want to legalize ‘Back the Blue’ flags for homeowners with HOAs

Bill sponsor James Buchanan, R-Osprey, said the measure was inspired by a “Blue Line Club” club of homeowners in his district.

by News Service of Florida March 20, 2023March 8, 2025

News & Views

Florida lawmakers debate future of state’s film and entertainment office

The Entertainment Industry Sales Tax Exemption program returned 49 cents for each $1 invested.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida March 20, 2023October 1, 2023

News & Views

Florida House passes bill expanding private school vouchers, allows home-schooled students to receive funds

Home-schooled students who receive the vouchers would be classified as participating in a “personalized education program” under the bill.

by Ryan Dailey and News Service of Florida March 20, 2023April 6, 2025

News & Views

Florida legislature appears to nail down plan that helps shield insurance companies from costly lawsuits

Critics said the plan is tilted too far toward insurers at the expense of injured people.

by News Service of Florida March 17, 2023September 9, 2023

News & Views

Federal court puts Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE Act’ on hold

In issuing the injunction, Walker described the law as ‘positively dystopian.’

by News Service of Florida March 17, 2023July 2, 2024

News & Views

Part of Florida is under quarantine to contain the spread of the African land snail

They can carry a parasite that causes a form of meningitis in humans.

by News Service of Florida March 16, 2023August 3, 2023

News & Views

New Florida bill would make it easier for people to object to instructional materials and library books

The measure also would limit instruction on ‘human sexuality,’ including topics such as STDs, for middle- and high-school students.

by Ryan Dailey and News Service of Florida March 16, 2023October 4, 2024

News & Views

Florida Senate proposal would block local governments from removing confederate monuments

SB 1096 is designed to stem efforts that have increased during the past few years to remove monuments and markers.

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

News & Views

Florida House panel supports lowering a threshold for sentencing defendants to death

HB 555 would eliminate a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before death sentences can be imposed.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida March 15, 2023August 3, 2023

News & Views

Hearing for Florida’s six-week abortion ban bill is scheduled for this week

The debate will come after lawmakers last year passed a measure to prevent abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

by News Service of Florida March 15, 2023October 22, 2023

News & Views

Amendment to make Florida school board elections partisan could go to voters in 2024

If the amendment passes, partisan school-board races would begin in 2026.

by News Service of Florida March 15, 2023November 14, 2024

News & Views

Latest election data shows more Republican gains when it comes to voter registration in Florida

The GOP’s 436,990-voter edge over the Democratic Party was larger than a 383,954-voter advantage at the end of December.

by News Service of Florida March 14, 2023July 18, 2024

News & Views

‘Why are you so afraid of me’: Florida Senate committee approves measure targeting transgender treatments, despite emotional testimony

Major medical associations in the United States maintain that gender-affirming care is safe.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida March 14, 2023August 29, 2023

News & Views

Republicans on Florida House panel vote to approve bill that allows 18 year olds to buy rifles

HB 1543 would reverse part of a 2018 law that set the minimum age at 21.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida March 14, 2023August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida’s gas prices are up 9 cents per gallon since last week

Demand in Florida might not slow like in other areas.

by News Service of Florida March 13, 2023August 3, 2023

News & Views

Ethics commission dismisses dispute over Nikki Fried financial disclosure

The case involved income from periods before Fried was elected agriculture commissioner in 2018.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida March 13, 2023September 22, 2023