Politics & Law
Bill to repeal the death penalty in Florida will not get a hearing
Lawmakers and advocates gathered in the Florida Capitol Tuesday to express their disappointment that a bill that would have eliminated the death penalty for capital murder will not receive a hearing during the 2020 session. “Unfortunately, when it comes to implementation of the death penalty, Florida is leading the nation in a very, very bad […]
House panel backs warning labels for Florida Lottery tickets
Despite a gubernatorial veto of a similar bill last year, state lawmakers again are trying to slap a warning label on state Lottery tickets. In an 8-3 vote, the House Government Operations and Technology Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday endorsed a bill (HB 991) that would require a “PLAY RESPONSIBLY” warning on the front of Lottery […]
As a California patient tests positive for coronavirus, Florida officials release few details regarding infections
Another case of the potentially fatal coronavirus has been detected in San Diego, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed, increasing the number of U.S. cases to 13. Meanwhile, Florida hasn’t reported any cases, and state health officials remained silent about individuals being tested for the virus. “No cases of [coronavirus] have […]
PAC report: Business lobby shares its wealth with Florida Cabinet members
Political committees linked to the Associated Industries of Florida shared their considerable resources among members of the Florida Cabinet during January, contributing big checks to committees benefiting the two Republicans on the panel as well as the lone Democrat. The largest gift to Florida Consumers First, which raises money for that Democrat, Commissioner of Agriculture […]
Another setback for the LGBTQ community: Anti-discrimination bills stall in the FL Legislature
Forty percent of Florida lawmakers in the House and Senate are sponsoring legislation to make it illegal for an employer to fire a worker because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. But as the 2020 Florida Legislature hits its halfway mark on Wednesday, prospects for the measure remain dim. In fact, chances are good […]
Bill would end tenure of long-time public advocate on utilities with major rate cases on the horizon
Legislation that would force out veteran Public Counsel J.R. Kelly, who represents ordinary utility customers before the Florida Public Service Commission, passed its first committee test Monday on the strength of a lopsided Republican vote. The bill (SPB 7052) would limit public advocates to as many as three four-year terms – 12 years total – […]
Women won right to vote in 1920 but still fighting in 2020 to get ERA heard in FL Capitol
As the nation commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment – granting women the right to vote –conservative leaders of the Florida Legislature still have not scheduled a single hearing this session on the long-fought Equal Rights Amendment that would guarantee gender equality. Bipartisan, bicameral groups led by female state legislators will celebrate the […]
Appeal court sustains Florida House’s subpoena of Visit Florida’s ‘Emeril’ contract
A state appeal court has handed a victory to the Florida House in a dispute over financial records kept by the company that produced the “Emeril’s Florida” cooking show under contract with Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion arm. The outcome could strengthen the House’s hand in the continuing drama over Visit Florida. That chamber […]
Patients should be of aware of treatments other than opioids, lawmakers say
Trying to curtail the opioid epidemic, Florida lawmakers are pushing legislation to require healthcare providers to notify patients about non-opioid treatments for pain management. A bill in the state House is advancing, with lawmakers approving the legislation Thursday in the Health & Human Services Committee. The bill now heads to the full House for a […]
Amid uncertainty over felon voting rights, elections supervisor says: ‘Come get registered’
The first vote-by-mail ballots in Florida’s March 17 presidential preference primary are on their way to registered voters amid continued uncertainty about the rights of former felons under a constitutional amendment that was supposed to ensure their right to participate. There’s no telling when the courts will settle the matter. And the Legislature is unlikely […]
Fl Senate approves parental-consent bill; opponents fear an “abortion desert”
In a civil but strenuous debate, the Florida Senate Thursday voted 23-17 to approve a controversial bill that requires parental consent for a minor to get an abortion. The vote came after a crowd of protesters in and around the Capitol rallied for and against the bill earlier this week. And approval of the legislation […]
Why haven’t FL officials told the public that a patient was tested for coronavirus at a South FL hospital?
At Surgeon General Scott Rivkees’ confirmation hearing Tuesday, state senators asked the doctor about the deadly coronavirus that has spread to the United States from China. “Are we prepared and are you prepared for what could be a coronavirus outbreak in Florida?” State Sen. Janet Cruz, a Tampa Democrat, asked Rivkees. Rivkees, the state’s chief […]