News Service of Florida

Democrats criticized the new laws and the special session, which they decried as a waste of time and as being about DeSantis’ widely speculated White House ambitions in 2024.

Under the bill, Florida private-sector workers could avoid vaccination requirements if they provide medical reasons, religious reasons or can demonstrate “COVID-19 immunity.”

“Our focus remains on operating our ships in a responsible way that continues to create magic for all on board.”

Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith said health-care providers have asked to be excluded from the state plan because of fears that they could lose federal funding.

“This anti-vax rhetoric will also lead to childhood disease outbreaks, and I’m afraid that’s what this bill is leading us down the road towards,” said Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton.

Gov. Ron DeSantis championed the bill (HB 1) during this spring’s legislative session as a way to crack down on violent protests.

The latest twist came after UF flip-flopped on a decision to block the tenured political-science professors from testifying in the high-stakes elections case.

“This is not about helping anyone. This is not about guaranteeing anyone’s freedoms. This is not about governmental policy.”

“We oppose efforts like these that undermine evidence-based, public health policies and endanger those with chronic illnesses.”

“We don’t anticipate widespread shortages, but there certainly will be some items that aren’t as easily found on the shelves.”

Florida, Georgia and Alabama and other plaintiffs, including two Florida Christian schools, contend that OSHA overstepped its legal authority.

Now, all eight school districts that faced state financial penalties because of mask mandates have reversed course.

The bill, in part, points to the Florida Strawberry Festival held each year in the area.

The governor will ask lawmakers to raise per-student spending in public schools by more than $200 over the current fiscal year, to $8,000 a student.

“I don’t think there are clear definitions right now in the written policies at least, about what is a conflict of interest, what is an ‘outside activity.”

All but $50 million of the money has come from federal sources.

The committee is proposing a ballot initiative that would allow people 21 or older to grow and use marijuana, with a cap of 18 plants per household.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surged in July and August before steadily declining in September, October and early November.

In addition to arguing that the rule exceeds OSHA’s authority, Florida and the other opponents contend it conflicts with the First Amendment and a law known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.