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FL Legislature approves extreme 6-week abortion ban, after weeks of protests and debates
In less than a year, Florida has moved from a 15-week abortion ban to the passage of one of the most restrictive bans in the nation — a 6-week abortion ban. The state House approved the legislation after at least six hours of questions, amendments, debate, protests and a final vote that will clear the […]
Protests erupt in FL House as lawmakers consider restrictive 6-week abortion ban
Multiple disruptions, demonstrations and protests erupted Thursday morning as abortion rights protesters threw handfuls of stickers and small pieces of paper on lawmakers as House members tried to discuss the 6-week abortion ban. By noon, no one was able to be in the House gallery except lawmakers and press because of the disruption. “Abortion is […]
Senators revise contentious higher ed bill after uproar over the state of FL’s public universities
State senators on Wednesday did an overhaul on a higher education bill that has been under scrutiny by university communities in Florida and nationwide over academic freedom, tenure provisions, limits on class instruction and the DeSantis administration’s overreach into Florida’s university system. One of the major changes in the document removed a provision related to […]
Florida senators call out Rep. Barnaby’s ‘dangerous’ anti-LGBTQ+ comments
Lawmakers in the Florida Senate were set to discuss attacks on drag shows and other performances on Tuesday, but several senators decided to talk about what happened Monday, when a House member went on a tirade against transgender Floridians. “I want to acknowledge that that type of vitriol, it’s coming because that is the type […]
Are partisan school board races good or bad? Legislation heads to full FL Senate for consideration
GOP lawmakers say that partisan school boards would provide greater transparency for voters, but Democrats and other critics argue that nonpartisan boards should serve all families in Florida’s massive education system, rather than cater to a particular political party. The voters would be the ones to make the decision — through a Constitutional amendment on […]
GOP lawmakers push for sweeping bans on COVID-19 vaccines and tests, plus face mask requirements
Florida GOP lawmakers are looking to restrict face mask coverings, proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 tests at private businesses, governmental agencies and public and private schools, based on “discrimination” — though Democrats have argued that the safety of others need to be in consideration as well. The bill, HB 1013, states that “it is […]
FL Senate confirmations for higher ed officials: No appointees were there
Early Wednesday morning, a Senate committee took up confirmations for a dozen appointees for high-level university officials in Florida. Those top-tier positions must ultimately be confirmed by the full Senate. But Wednesday, none of the appointees were there. No one asked the appointees any questions because they weren’t there. During the 2023 legislation session, lawmakers […]
FL Senate would prohibit transgender minors from receiving puberty blockers, other procedures
The Florida Senate Tuesday approved a wholesale prohibition on allowing transgender minors to receive gender affirming care in the form of hormone replacement therapies, puberty blockers, or any surgeries with the goal of “sex-reassignment” for a minor. The bill, SB 254, was approved by the Senate Tuesday largely on party lines, with Republicans in favor […]
Abortion rights activists call for trespassing charges to be dropped following Monday arrests
About a dozen abortion rights activists arrested Monday evening for alleged trespassing at Tallahassee’s City Hall are calling for charges to be dropped, according to a press conference Tuesday near the state Capitol building. Among those arrested include Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, who spoke at the Tuesday press conference, and Senate Democratic Leader […]
Tensions boil over in the FL Senate as GOP senators push through restrictive 6-week abortion ban
The GOP-controlled Florida Senate approved an extremely restrictive abortion ban that prohibits most abortions past six weeks, after several disruptions and outbursts from members of the public who opposed the legislation. “People will die!” someone shouted towards the lawmakers. Those individuals usually left the Senate chamber after outbursts on their own accord, but after several […]
GOP lawmakers in House are molding FL’s K-12 school system to fit ultraconservative values
About halfway through the 2023 session, Florida House lawmakers are molding the Florida K-12 education system into conservative values, potentially for generations to come. Contentious education bills were approved Friday by the GOP-dominated House covering a wide range of issues — limiting instruction on LGBTQ+ topics through 8th grade, prohibiting how school employees use certain […]
FL House fast-tracking contentious K-12 bills that could impact public education for years to come
The Florida House is fast-tracking several big changes to Florida’s K-12 education system — for better or worse. The legislation involved — a roundup of several education bills — includes prohibiting further discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in classrooms, determining the start times of middle and high schools and removing books from classrooms and school libraries […]