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Paid family leave joins the agenda as FL Legislature prepares to convene next month
Working families in Florida may have an opportunity to take paid time off to bond with a newborn, newly fostered, or adopted child under legislation filed for the regular legislative session next month. As legislation to that end for federal workers has made progress in Congress, state lawmakers have filed similar bills that would require […]
Andrew Gillum to campaign in targeted legislative districts throughout Florida in 2020
Andrew Gillum and his political committee, Forward Florida, are hitting the ground running ahead of the new year to try to flip the Florida House blue. According to a press release from his PAC, the former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate will travel to districts across Florida to campaign with Democratic candidates running […]
Team Democrat: Trump abused his office and to protect the Republic must go
Update: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a South Florida member of the Judiciary Committee, walked through the the evidence against Trump. “Some say this impeachment is about eight lines in a call transcript, but there is so much more,” Deutch said. “This was about a scheme that lasted months and it involved dozens of Trump administration […]
Q & A with Tobacco Free Florida: The bottom line is e-cigarettes are unsafe for kids
State health officials and lawmakers are concerned with the upsurge in youth vaping, due to a nationwide outbreak of reported deaths and lung injuries associated with its use. Data from the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey shows that about 27 percent of middle and high school students have used an electronic vapor product in 2018. And […]
Historic impeachment vote: Here’s what FL lawmakers are saying on social media
A divided U.S. House Judiciary Committee voted on Friday to approve articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, and Florida Congress members are taking to social media with commentary on the historic vote. All 17 Republicans voted no, while 23 Democrats voted yes. The full House will likely vote next week. Matt Gaetz, Republican U.S. […]
Lawmakers seek stricter consequences for leaving kids unattended in car and failing to use seat belts
A state lawmaker wants to increase current child welfare protections in Florida, focusing on instances where children are unattended in a vehicle or aren’t buckled up in seat belts or child safety seats. State Rep. Cord Byrd, a Republican who represents Nassau and part of Duval County, presented legislation Thursday before the House Children, Families […]
Second death reported in FL linked to vaping, CDC releases new findings
Shortly after the Florida Department of Health reported one death related to e-cigarette use, also known as vaping, the agency disclosed an updated report showing a second death this year. National and state health departments launched a nationwide investigation on an outbreak of lung injuries and diseases associated with e-cigarette or vaping use. Florida has […]
More movie stars in FL? Lawmakers want the state to compete in film and television, by spending thousands for high-paying jobs
State lawmakers want to bring in more film, television, digital media and maybe some big stars, by offering incentives for production companies to operate in Florida. A Senate committee approved a proposed bill (SB 530) Tuesday to get the production going and enhance the entertainment industry. The legislation still has to pass in the full […]
FL bill that helps victims of housing discrimination passes in Senate committee
People who claim they’ve been discriminated against in housing would have another way to fix the problem, under legislation moving through the Florida Legislature. The bill, SB 374, passed unanimously in a Senate committee Monday, would help alleged victims of housing discrimination to pursue a civil lawsuit. Sen. Darryl Rouson, who represents parts of Pinellas […]
Trying to flip from Red to Blue: Andrew Gillum endorses 21 Democratic candidates
A day after Andrew Gillum announced efforts to reengage voters and upend a GOP-controlled Legislature, the former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 gubernatorial candidate endorsed 21 state legislative candidates across Florida. The candidates, all Democrats, either plan to run for election after a loss; try to move from a state House member to a Senate position; […]
Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, Democratic Party, set sights on minority and young voters in 2020
The Democratic Party wants to flip the Florida Legislature blue ahead of next year’s elections, challenging the GOP-controlled House. Andrew Gillum, the Florida gubernatorial candidate in 2018, will be pushing that initiative. He made an announcement Thursday that he’ll be leading efforts to reengage voters in 2020. That means targeting those voters who may have […]
Florida man collapses in tears, falls to the ground, after Gov. Ron DeSantis denies pardon
When Roy Allen Helmick Jr., 61, approached the podium during Wednesday’s Executive Clemency meeting, he appeared hopeful that Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Cabinet members would grant him a pardon for his past crimes. But in a shocking few moments, the governor said, no. Helmick burst into tears, in agony, and begged for a different […]