FL Legislature 2023
FL lawmakers love developers so much, they want to put us at risk of being killed by hurricanes
When people talk about the great love stories of history, they often mention such figures as Marc Anthony and Cleopatra, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (not in a can), and Johnny and June Carter Cash, who got married in a fever hotter than a pepper sprout. But this roll call of romance leaves out one […]
Democratic lawmaker in House labeled ‘evil’ after calling for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war
Democratic State Rep. Angie Nixon pleaded with her peers on the state House floor Tuesday afternoon to humanize innocent Gazans with a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Even two from her own party denounced her attempt. Nixon, of Duval County, was the lone lawmaker to mention Palestinian deaths, and she was […]
Special session: House OKs more funding for Jewish school security; more special needs vouchers
On issues of education and security in Florida’s public and private school systems, the state House on Tuesday approved legislation to increase funding for schools and other settings deemed vulnerable to terrorist attacks and expand vouchers for special needs students this school year. Overall, House lawmakers approved $45 million (HB 7 C) to fund physical […]
FL farmers came to the state capital to get relief from Idalia’s destruction; lawmakers are helping
Timothy Solano is a second-generation clam farmer from Cedar Key who said that before Hurricane Idalia hit North Florida last August, his company was on track to break $50 million in sales this year. But not anymore. “When Hurricane Idalia barreled through our town, it changed our lives forever,” Solano told the House Appropriations Committee […]
Politics and money: FL special session to cover Idalia relief, expand vouchers, support Israel
Against the backdrop of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign and a war thousands of miles away, the Florida Legislature will launch a special session starting Monday about politics and money, with a list of bills from Idalia relief to voucher expansion and support for Israel. DeSantis, who likes to brag about being the country’s most […]
In Tampa, activists call on the Biden administration to authorize work permits for the undocumented
With businesses in the U.S. still struggling to find enough workers to fill job openings, a group of immigration advocates held a press conference in Tampa on Friday to call on the Biden administration to authorize work permits for undocumented immigrants. The demand comes a month after the Deptartment of Homeland Security offered Temporary Protected Status […]
The private prison industry in FL is now changing; the state is taking more control
When private prisons began operating nearly 30 years ago in Florida, they were one of the few systems in the nation to place oversight outside of the usual state corrections administration. Now, after a damning audit released a year ago showing failures in oversight, the Department of Corrections has taken over the oversight of seven […]
Advocates hailed a new law to help stabilize FL’s housing crisis, but implementation has been rocky
Local officials on the ground working to help alleviate Florida’s housing crisis are now asking for a favor when the Legislature convenes in 2024: Fix the unintended consequences that came out of a signature policy initiative in the state Senate. Florida lawmakers have already been hearing from elected local officials in the past few weeks, […]
Advocacy groups promote ‘Decline to Answer’ regarding immigration question in hospitals
As part of Florida’s new sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, any hospital that accepts Medicaid must include a question on its admission or registration forms inquiring whether the patient is a citizen of the United States. That question must be followed by a statement that the response will not affect patient care or result in […]
Howard Simon returns, tries to right ‘the good deal of turmoil’ inside the FL ACLU
There’s been tumult inside the ACLU of Florida, the preeminent civil liberties group that has been defending civil rights of individuals in the courts, the Legislature, and the streets of Florida for nearly 60 years. A series of events this spring and summer have shaken the nonprofit, with numerous board members ousted, an executive director […]
Top FL officials celebrate GOP dominance in Orlando (plus a sneak preview on 2026 Gov candidates)
Thursday night’s Republican Party of Florida Statesman’s dinner in Orlando was not only an occasion for the party to raise money and celebrate their dominance in state politics, but the event showed an early sneak preview of a group of likely 2026 candidates looking to succeed Ron DeSantis as Florida’s next governor. Lt. Gov. Gov. […]
Attempting to reverse the tide, a South FL House Democrat files bill to protect tenant rights
The 2023 legislative session was a brutal one for tenant rights in Florida, with state lawmakers passing bills preempting local tenant protection ordinances and eliminating local governments from enacting rent control laws. Now a South Florida House Democrat is trying to bring back some rights to renters. West Palm Beach state Rep. Jervonte Edmonds has filed legislation for the […]