Governor signs record $100 billion budget
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a record $100 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year this week, but not before slashing about $1.5 billion from the spending plan using his line-item veto power.
Off and running: Nikki Fried enters gubernatorial race
State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried entered the 2022 gubernatorial race this week, marking the second major Democratic challenger to DeSantis as he seeks re-election.
Rocky start to pride month
DeSantis riled the LGBTQ community on Tuesday when he signed into law a wide-ranging education bill that includes a ban on transgender females participating in girls’ and women’s high-school and college sports.
The measure (SB 1028), one of the most-controversial bills of the 2021 legislative session, will make female athletes’ eligibility for sports teams contingent on their “biological sex” on birth certificates issued “at or near the time of the student’s birth.”
DeSantis signs bill on transgender athletes
Speaking at a private school in Jacksonville on the first day of Pride Month, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a wide-ranging education bill that includes a ban on transgender females participating on girls’ and women’s high-school and college sports teams.
The measure (SB 1028), one of the most-controversial bills of the 2021 legislative session, will make female athletes’ eligibility for sports teams contingent on their “biological sex” on birth certificates issued “at or near the time of the student’s birth.”
Moody wants quick action in immigration appeal
After a lower-court judge rejected the state’s arguments, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wants a federal appeals court to quickly take up a challenge to immigration-enforcement moves by President Joe Biden’s administration.
Number of fully vaccinated long-term care residents, staff unknown
Florida is not keeping track of the number of nursing home staff and residents who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The state requires nursing facilities to report to the state Emergency Status System the number of residents and staff who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The facilities also must report the number of residents and staff who have not been vaccinated.
Disney expects full Florida theme parks by year end
Walt Disney World could approach full capacity by the end of the year, Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Chapek said during the JPMorgan 49th Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Monday. Chapek said his team anticipates “low double-digit growth” as the company follows federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus operating guidelines, according to a transcript of the conference.
GOP leaders expect hiring as added aid ends
Florida Republican leaders touted the state’s economy Wednesday and said they expect businesses to boost hiring as additional federal unemployment benefits end in the coming weeks.
“We have emerged from the pandemic. At least, I feel like we’ve emerged from the pandemic,” state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said while appearing at the Florida Chamber of Commerce “Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit” in Sarasota.
By the numbers: Santa Rosa has one of lowest unemployment rates in state
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity last week released an April unemployment report. Here are April county unemployment rates:
— Hamilton County: 6.9 percent
— Miami-Dade County: 6.9 percent
Florida shutting off federal jobless aid
Florida plans to stop providing $300 a week in additional federal unemployment benefits as it pushes for people to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.