Florida GOP rejects amendment saying inflation is even remotely tied to the coronavirus pandemic

Republicans titled the bill the “Budgeting for Inflation that Drives Elevated Needs Fund” — which has an acronym of “BIDENF.”

by News Service of Florida February 16, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida lawmakers want to double fines for social media-fueled ‘pop-up’ parties

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, called the bill “crazily overly broad, wildly disruptive.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 16, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

DeSantis now backs taking $200 million from Florida schools that mandated masks

The plan is part of a proposed $105 billion state budget that the House is poised to approve Wednesday.

by Ryan Dailey and News Service of Florida February 15, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Judge will decided fate of federal lawsuit over Tampa Bay’s Piney Point

Piney Point includes hazardous phosphogypsum stacks, a byproduct of phosphate production, which took place at the site from 1966 to 1999.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 15, 2022July 1, 2024

News & Views

Two Florida Sheriffs now say ‘Marsy’s Law” should not apply to law enforcement officers

“VSO (the Volusia Sheriff’s Office) is interested in this appeal as it believes that the citizens should know the names of deputies who are involved in the use of deadly force while carrying out their official duties,” the motion said.

by News Service of Florida February 15, 2022April 3, 2024

News & Views

DeSantis against massive budget cuts to Florida school districts that required masks, says he’d rather let them be sued

The proposal would redirect the $200 million to districts that did not require students to wear masks.

by News Service of Florida February 14, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

‘Take that to the bank’: DeSantis threatens to veto Florida congressional map

DeSantis’ proposal, while different, also could give Republicans 18 seats.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 14, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida Supreme Court slaps down DeSantis request for redistricting opinion

The governor’s office quickly said it accepted the decision.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 10, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida’s citrus crops are not OK

“The grit and determination of Florida citrus growers does not waver.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 10, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

With nearly 4,500 vacancies, Florida faces a massive teacher shortage

State lawmakers this year are pursuing the continuation of a plan to raise minimum teacher salaries to $47,500.

by Ryan Dailey and News Service of Florida February 10, 2022June 28, 2025

News & Views

Florida Surgeon General won’t say if he’s been vaccinated during tense Senate confirmation hearing

Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Ocoee, said Ladapo’s “policy positions are dangerous.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 9, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida Senate moves ahead with controversial ‘don’t say gay’ bill

“I don’t want the schools to kind of be a playground for ideological disputes,” DeSantis said Tuesday.

by Ryan Dailey and News Service of Florida February 9, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida House moves forward with union busting bill that excludes cops

“Florida is already facing a massive shortage of our teachers and our support professionals.”

by News Service of Florida February 8, 2022May 28, 2025

News & Views

After consistently losing, Florida Democrats vow to spend $2.5 million on voter registration

“The pitch is very simple. We’re going back to basics,” Ulvert told reporters.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida February 8, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida Gov. DeSantis endorses controversial ‘don’t say gay’ bill

The proposal (SB 1834), filed by Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee.

by News Service of Florida February 8, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida’s controversial State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo set for confirmation hearing

The surgeon general doubles as secretary of the Florida Department of Health.

by News Service of Florida February 7, 2022March 28, 2025

News & Views

Florida House proposal would cut students grants at private colleges

Currently, the roughly 40,500 students who qualify for the grants receive $2,841 in tuition aid annually.

by Ryan Dailey and News Service of Florida February 7, 2022July 2, 2024

News & Views

State of Florida eyes a record $108.6 billion budget

This far surpasses the roughly $100 billion budget during the current fiscal year.

by News Service of Florida February 4, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

In new lawsuit, Florida activist groups argue lawmakers knew voting law would adversely impact people of color

“I can’t honestly say that, 40 years later, that it is easier to register to vote because African Americans and Latinos are constantly fighting these barriers.”

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida February 4, 2022August 3, 2023