News
Drag queens defend their livelihood while lawmakers try to define ‘adult live performances’
Friday at 8 a.m., House lawmakers gathered at a commerce committee meeting to consider a bill that would limit minors from attending so-called “adult live performances.” At issue is that some businesses may lose their licenses if they host an event involving so-called “lewd conduct” and where minors are present. As Rep. Randy Fine discussed […]
Permitless carry passes in the Florida House – the measure now goes to the Senate
The Florida House of Representatives passed a permitless carry bill (HB 543) along party lines Friday that would allow people to carry guns without being required to obtain a concealed-weapons license from the state. If ultimately approved, it would make the Sunshine State the 26th state in the nation to have such a law. The […]
FL House approves $700 million affordable housing package, but bill excludes rent control measures
In an ambitious effort to improve Florida’s affordable housing crisis, the state House Friday passed legislation to add more than $700 million to existing housing programs and bolster initiatives for developers as well as working Floridians, though critics bemoaned that rent control measures were excluded in the bill. The bill would create tax incentives for […]
DeSantis withdraws to his office to sign limits on lawsuits into law
Gov. Ron DeSantis skipped the fanfare when signing one of his priority bills into law on Friday. He marked the enactment of new restrictions on civil lawsuits against insurance companies with a quiet announcement on his Twitter thread. “Florida has long been known as a ‘judicial hellhole’ due to the legal system’s incentivizing of excessive […]
GOP bill establishing a federal parental bill of rights passed in U.S. House
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Friday passed a bill designed to empower parents to inspect books and other teaching materials in local public schools, but Democrats sharply criticized the measure, saying it would censor teachers and ban books. The legislation, called the Parents Bill of Rights, passed on a 213-208 vote. It would codify federal education law to […]
DOJ memo on threats to local school boards lambasted by Republicans at U.S. House hearing
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Thursday continued to press accusations that a “woke agenda” is deteriorating parents’ rights in their local school districts. The first hearing this Congress of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government convened to examine whether a 2021 Department of Justice memo played a role in […]
Members of Congress blast TikTok CEO as bipartisan support for U.S. ban looks possible
A U.S. House panel grilled TikTok’s CEO for more than five hours Thursday over the social media giant’s ties to China, and indicated there may be bipartisan consensus for a national ban on the platform. Members of both parties showed an unusual level of agreement during tough questioning of TikTok CEO Shou Chew. Several members […]
FL House poised to vote on ‘permitless’ carry bill; Dems, gun safety advocates raise concerns
The Florida House is hours away from approving gun legislation to allow individuals who carry concealed weapons to forego a license or training course. Democrats and gun safety advocates say the proposal will make the state less safe — right now, people must get a permit through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Currently, […]
Public-sector bill will dismantle unions, but they’re not going down without a fight
Dozens of union members from around the state lined the Fourth Floor Rotunda of the Florida Capitol Thursday, game-day style, to welcome lawmakers before a meeting of the full Senate. They raised signs and sang the union anthem, “Solidarity Forever,” opposing what they saw as an impending attack on public workers. “They know we’re […]
DeSantis, insurers win tort-reform vote in FL Senate but injured parties lose clout
Insurance companies will have an easier time deflecting lawsuits by policyholders claiming denial or low-balling of benefits under legislation that cleared the Florida Senate Thursday. Ordinary Floridians, meanwhile, will face higher risks, less safety, and fewer options to hold wrongdoers accountable, critics warned. Because the state House had already OK’d the bill, it heads to […]
Massive school voucher program headed to Gov. DeSantis’ desk; questions remain about costs
Nearly all Florida families may soon be able to send their K-12 children to private schools with taxpayer money, even if their household incomes exceed millions or billions of dollars — an expansive effort that critics say could drain the state’s public school system for years to come. The Legislature pushed through the bill, HB […]
Democratic report on U.S. debt default predicts disrupted benefits for seniors, veterans
WASHINGTON — Congress’ Joint Economic Committee released a report Thursday detailing the economic repercussions of defaulting on the nation’s debt, adding fuel to the fire as Democrats pressed Republicans to address the nation’s borrowing limit without tying action to spending cuts. The report, from Democratic staff on the bipartisan Joint Economic Committee, says that a […]