State readies ‘work search’ requirement
People in Florida’s unemployment system will have to show they looked for work on a weekly basis after Memorial Day, as the state pushes to get workers back on the job, particularly at restaurants.
Also, a process is being set up for business owners to report unemployment claimants who don’t follow the “work search” rule, which will require people to apply for five jobs a week.
Wildlife officials eye shark encounters
State wildlife officials are trying to better understand increased encounters between sharks and people fishing in Florida waters.
The incidents haven’t made the waters deadlier. But as conservation efforts have helped some shark species repopulate, the encounters appear more prevalent amid reports of sharks consuming catch before it’s brought onto boats or shortly after it is released back into the water, said Jessica McCawley, director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
DeSantis signs major school voucher bill
DeSantis, during a ceremony at St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Hialeah, said the bill (HB 7045) will help provide educational choices to families who might otherwise struggle to pay private-school tuition. “We will be doubling down on our commitment to supporting our working families and making sure they have the ability to get […]
DeSantis signs bill on gun regulations
Amid a legal battle that could be decided by the Florida Supreme Court, Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a measure that will ratchet up a ban on local gun regulations.
State ballot initiative challenged
Just a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a constitutional challenge Saturday to a measure that would limit contributions to political committees backing ballot initiatives.
Boating accidents, deaths up in 2020
Florida waters last year were the deadliest for boaters in at least a decade, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Disney safe from new state measure cracking down on social media companies
Gov. Ron DeSantis distanced himself this week from a carve-out for entertainment giant Disney in his crackdown on social-media companies that block users from their platforms.
Lawmakers stuck a provision into the bill aimed at keeping the Disney Plus streaming service from getting “caught up” in the measure (SB 7072), which is aimed at tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter.
DeSantis signs controversial elections bill
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed an elections overhaul that was one of the most-contentious issues of the 2021 legislative session, as opponents immediately filed two lawsuits alleging that the measure is unconstitutional.
Work search requirement to return for those in the unemployment system
Gov. Ron DeSantis expects late this month to reinstate a requirement that people in the unemployment system submit weekly “work search” updates.
Referring to some businesses saying they are unable to find new employees as they regroup from the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis said Wednesday unemployment claimants will likely have to start showing how they looked for work once an executive order waiving a work-search requirement ends May 29.
‘Marsy’s Law’ dispute goes to Supreme Court
The city of Tallahassee filed a notice that is a first step in asking the Supreme Court to decide whether the constitutional amendment, which is designed to bolster crime victims’ rights, can apply to police officers who were threatened in use-of-force incidents. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal last month sided […]