Posted inNews & Views
‘We cannot have every town smelling like marijuana’: DeSantis says his new PAC will fight recreational pot amendment
“We already have medical marijuana, it’s out there.”
Ron DeSantis
Posted inNews & Views
Gov. DeSantis signs bill banning balloon releases in Florida
Oceana, an ocean advocacy organization, said the signing marks a great day for ocean wildlife.
Posted inNews & Views
Bicycles, paddleboards, gym memberships: Here’s what you can get tax-free during Florida’s new ‘Freedom Month’
The Freedom Holiday is expected to reduce state and local tax revenues by $91.8 million.
Posted inNews & Views
DeSantis signs bill protecting Florida Gaming Control Commission from public records requests
The bill (SB 692) was approved unanimously by the Legislature this year after drawing little attention.
Posted inNews & Views
U.S. Supreme Court will rule on trans treatment bans, a decision that could impact Florida law
Justices will hear the case in the fall, with a decision likely coming in June or July 2025.
Posted inNews & Views
From ‘identity politics’ to stripper restrictions, here are some of the Florida measures slated to take effect July 1
Lawmakers also tucked another $2 billion in spending into bills, with that money not showing up in the budget (HB 5001).
Posted inNews & Views
DeSantis signs bill allowing Florida homeowners to shoot bears, vetoes bill banning left lane abusers
Annimal-rights activists argued the bill will create an “open season” on bears.
Posted inNews & Views
Florida Supreme Court sides with DeSantis over ‘anti-riot’ law cracking down on protesters
DeSantis championed the law after nationwide protests following the 2020 death of George Floyd.
Posted inNews & Views
Florida appeals federal judge ruling blocking ban on transgender healthcare
The notice of appeal, as is common, does not detail arguments the state will make at the Atlanta-based appeals court.
Posted inNews & Views
Juneteenth goes unobserved by Florida state government
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation in 2020 recognizing Juneteenth but hasn’t done that since then.
Posted inNews & Views
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bills into law aimed to address cancer and rare diseases
One of the bills (SB 7072) involves distribution of money to cancer centers across the state through the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa Bay Rep. Kathy Castor calls on OSHA to speed up federal heat protections for outdoor workers
Her request comes two months after Gov. DeSantis signed legislation banning local governments from implementing heat protections
Posted inNews & Views
US Supreme Court refuses to hear Florida sports betting case
“It will accelerate Florida’s path to online casino gaming, using the same compact language and potentially as early as next year or 2026.”
Posted inNews & Views
A federal appeals court is weighing Florida’s Stop WOKE Act
The state appealed after Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in November 2022 issued a preliminary injunction against the law.
Posted inNews & Views
DeSantis signs $116.5 billion budget in Tampa, vetoes $32 million in cultural grants
Millions of dollars in stormwater projects, school safety and infrastructure fixes were also vetoed.
Posted inNews & Views
Groups ramp up calls for DeSantis to veto Florida ‘Self-Defense Act’ that lets people kill bears
It was sponsored by a Republican who evoked ‘crack bears’ in support of the bill.
Posted inNews & Views
Report says revision to Florida’s ‘Live Local Act’ reduces affordable and workforce housing stock
There now 6.6 billion fewer square feet of land available for this kind of development, according to LandTech.
Posted inNews & Views
Feds push back on Florida’s effort to block rule about sex-based discrimination in education programs
Florida is among four states seeking a preliminary injunction against the rule, which is designed to help carry out Title IX
Posted inNews & Views
Florida hemp industry breathes temporary sigh of relief after DeSantis veto
The governor nixed a bill that they say if signed would have presented an existential threat to their livelihoods.