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The tumultuous 2020-21 school year will end with more than 115,000 cases of COVID-19 in FL’s K-12 schools
The first full academic year under the COVID-19 pandemic is coming to a tumultuous close in Florida schools, with more than 115,000 infections accounted for by students, teachers, staff and others. But while the numbers continued to rise throughout 2020-21, the Florida Department of Health’s COVID updates in schools became a difficult task, the Phoenix […]
TaxWatch identifies $157.5 million in ‘budget turkeys’ improperly added to 2021-22 Florida budget
Florida TaxWatch, an independent budget watchdog organization, has identified more than $157.5 million in so-called “budget turkeys” that it says the Legislature included outside the formal rules within its $101.5 billion budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The group urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto these projects because they did not receive proper scrutiny during […]
‘I wish I could feel better about our progress’: Panel recaps FL legislative session’s harm to minority communities
Nearing the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by former police officer Derek Chauvin in Minnesota, a Florida lawmaker and local officials and community members gathered via Zoom in Palm Beach County to reflect about Florida’s 2021 legislative session’s implications for racial and LGBTQ equity. Progressive efforts to quash bills penalizing transgender athletes […]
Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy and other Central Florida contenders want to unseat U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio
U.S. Rep. Val Demings, a Democrat once on the shortlist for vice president and a tough adversary during the U.S. House impeachment inquiry into then-President Donald Trump, is signaling that she’ll take on U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in 2022. Media outlets earlier this week posted stories about a Demings v. Rubio race, and Demings tweeted: […]
Rally against gambling expansion at state Capitol: ‘Keep Florida family friendly. No Casinos!’
Carrying signs saying “No More Casinos!” and “This is All Unconstitutional!,” about 100 Floridians trekked to the state Capitol Tuesday to protest a multi-billion dollar gambling compact that is coming close to fruition in the Legislature. “We have concerns that this is sidestepping what the voters voted on with Amendment 3,” said Joey McKinnon, who […]
Gaming compact appeared to open the door for teens 18+ to play fantasy sports, but lawmakers are closing it
In several states, 18, 19 and 20-year-olds play fantasy sports, but lawmakers in Florida are pushing back, instead setting a minimum age of 21 for the contests as they shape new gambling regulations — part of a compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. But businesses operating the popular fantasy sports platforms, […]
Amid final stretch of 2020-21 school year, districts may change mask protocols after new CDC guidance
Florida school districts are reconsidering mask protocols following an update this week from federal health officials saying residents fully vaccinated for COVID no longer have to wear masks in most indoor and outdoor settings. School administrators are reviewing the details and some are considering whether to lift mask mandates just weeks before the final days of […]
FSU president candidates include several FL names, but so far only one woman in the running
With FSU president John Thrasher stepping down soon, Florida State University is looking at nine candidates for its next president, a mixture of Floridians and out-of-state candidates but only one woman in the running. It also appears that only one Black male is in the mix. Some candidates have well-known Florida names in Tallahassee, including […]
Tweens in middle school and high school could soon get COVID vaccines. Will their parents let them?
Ahmed Forehand is hesitant about allowing his 13-year-old son to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. His son attends middle school in Leon County, where the school district has been hosting mobile vaccination clinics for students, faculty, staff, and the public. “My opinion is there’s not enough research supporting the reason to get vaccinated,” Forehand said in […]
DeSantis signs school-choice bill that lets more kids into private schools on public dollars
More Florida families will have the opportunity to send their children to private schools on public dollars now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved legislation raising cap on the household income eligibility to participate in school choice scholarship programs. During a press conference Tuesday, DeSantis signed HB 7045 into law as Republican officials including bill […]
School choice and vouchers: Should some FL middle class families attend private schools on public dollars?
The traditional justification for using public tax dollars to finance school vouchers is that struggling families shouldn’t be locked into substandard public schools just because they can’t afford tuition at presumably better private schools. Should that privilege extend to solidly middle class families? The Florida Legislature answered yes during its recently concluded regular session. It […]
Restricting abortion access fizzled in the 2021 Legislature; reproductive rights advocates expect future battles
On the abortion front, GOP lawmakers tried to restrict abortion access in Florida but various bills failed in the 2021 Legislature. “Every year there is an onslaught of anti-abortion bills,” Amy Weintraub, reproductive rights program director for Progress Florida, said in an interview with the Phoenix. “We expect those types of bills to be back.” […]