Apr 30, 2021
Republican lawmakers pass elections overhaul
With time running out before the end of this year’s legislative session, Florida lawmakers signed off Thursday night on a controversial elections bill that would make it harder for voters to cast ballots by mail.
Republican lawmakers backed away from more-stringent proposals contained in earlier versions of the elections overhaul. But the bill continued to draw fierce opposition from Democrats who said it would put up barriers to voting.
Apr 30, 2021
Lawmakers sign off on tax package
A $196.3 million tax package is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, after lawmakers Friday signed off on a series of proposals, including sales-tax “holidays” for back-to-school shopping, hurricane-season preparations and encouraging people to get out for some entertainment and recreation.
Apr 30, 2021
Republican lawmakers pass elections overhaul
With time running out before the end of this year’s legislative session, Florida lawmakers signed off Thursday night on a controversial elections bill that would make it harder for voters to cast ballots by mail.
Apr 29, 2021
Lawmakers back higher ed protections, tuition breaks
Public and private colleges and universities could soon be protected from coronavirus-related lawsuits under a wide-ranging higher education bill that also includes tuition breaks for “non-traditional” students.
Apr 29, 2021
House looks to stabilize insurance market
With homeowners facing increasing premiums and insurers dropping policies, the Florida House on Wednesday approved a plan aimed at shoring up the state’s property-insurance system.
Apr 29, 2021
Lawmakers revive, pass transgender athlete ban
With Democrats decrying the “eleventh-hour” move, the Florida House and Senate on Wednesday revived and passed a controversial plan that would ban transgender female athletes from competing on high-school girls’ and college women’s sports teams.
Apr 28, 2021
Hospitals fight new state rules
Some of Florida’s largest health-care systems and children’s hospitals are challenging two proposed state rules, alleging that facilities could get shut out of the market and quality of care could be harmed.
Apr 28, 2021
House backs social-media crackdown
After a debate that focused on free speech and former President Donald Trump, the Florida House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a proposal that would crack down on social-media giants that block users from their platforms.
Apr 28, 2021
Deal on tap for ‘alcohol to go’
Florida lawmakers appear ready to give final approval to a restaurant industry-backed measure that would make permanent a practice of allowing alcoholic drinks to be included with take-home meals.
Apr 27, 2021
Budget deal funnels bonuses to first responders
House and Senate leaders Monday night finished nailing down details of a roughly $100 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, after agreeing that first responders statewide should get $1,000 bonuses for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.