Florida Legislature 2023
In Jerusalem, DeSantis says U.S. should not “butt in” when it comes to Israel’s affairs
Speaking in Jerusalem Thursday at an event marking Israel’s 75th anniversary as a country, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that when it comes to Israel’s internal affairs, the U.S. shouldn’t “butt in.” “The U.S. must defend Israel against disfavored treatment by the United Nations and other international bodies and agenda driven international advocacy organizations. We must […]
Voting rights group sue the state over what they claim is the state’s ‘flawed’ voter registration form
The League of Women Voters of Florida and the Florida State Conference of the NAACP filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against Florida’s Secretary of State Cord Byrd, claiming that the state’s voter registration application form violates the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). The groups allege that the form’s lack of information […]
Tenant bill of rights ordinances in FL on the verge of elimination
As rent costs rise dramatically in Florida, dozens of cities and counties have been passing ordinances — often called tenant “bill of rights” — to give some protections to renters. But the Legislature is now looking to eliminate those ordinances. In fact, the Florida House is one vote away from repealing all of those ordinances, […]
A problem? FL election bill puts onus on voters – not the state – to find out if they can vote
Ever since the Florida Legislature required felons to pay court fees after completing their sentences, voting rights groups have requested that the state provide an accessible system for those “returning citizens” to determine their eligibility to vote. Instead, an election bill this session that runs nearly 100 pages includes a provision to make voters responsible […]
DeSantis signs law allowing 8 jurors, not 12, to recommend death penalty; lowest in U.S.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a new requirement that lowers the number of jurors needed to recommend the death penalty from a unanimous 12-person vote to just eight jurors, the lowest threshold in the country. “Today, I signed legislation ensuring the victims of the most heinous crimes get justice,” DeSantis tweeted. “Once […]
Should FL school boards be partisan? Voters will be able to decide through a constitutional amendment
Florida’s local school boards have been nonpartisan for at least two decades, but that could change immeasurably. The Florida Senate voted 29-11 on Wednesday to allow voters to decide if the boards should be partisan or not. The measure would be in the form of a constitutional amendment in the next general election or at […]
On tax day, progressive advocates call for corporate accountability in Tallahassee
April 15 having fallen over the weekend, Tuesday officially was designated as Tax Day, when individual income tax returns are due with the federal government. To mark the occasion, Florida progressives held a news conference to blast Florida’s tax system, in which the overwhelming majority of corporations pay absolutely no income taxes. Orlando Democrat Anna […]
Big development: Bill sponsor says regulations on hemp are O.U.T., ‘Out’
Over the past month, hemp entrepreneurs have traveled to the state Capitol to advocate against a proposal to regulate hemp-derived products that could potentially hurt the hemp industry. But Monday, many of those same professionals were cheering after the sponsor of the latest version of the bill removed any reference to limiting the THC dosage […]
Legislature says yes to require 8 jurors — not 12 — to impose the death penalty in FL
The state would no longer require a jury to rule unanimously to sentence someone to death under legislation approved by the House Thursday, putting Florida among a distinct minority of states around the country. The Senate passed the measure last month, and now the bill will go to Gov. Ron DeSantis desk for his consideration. […]
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 […]
FL Dem warns of ‘state of vigilantism’ when ‘we’re so gun-crazed and gun-obsessed’
Florida House Democrats were well into their weekly media availability Monday when caucus leader Fentrice Driskell announced that she’d just received notice on her cellphone of the active mass shooting happening in Louisville, Ky. Driskell, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was participating in the Zoom session, had been complaining that Republican supermajorities were […]
Late-filed election-law revision would add yet more barriers to the right to vote
Florida Republicans have dropped a proposal into the state Legislature that would erect even more barriers to voter-registration drives and use of mail-in ballots, along with steeper fines for registration groups that make any wrong steps and the potential that voters could see their ballots trashed. The proposal (SB 7050) reduces the number of days […]