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.
By the numbers: COVID deaths by age
As of Monday, nearly 35,000 Florida residents had died of COVID-19. Here is a breakdown of the resident deaths by age group:
— Ages 0-4: 1 death
— Ages 5-14: 5 deaths
Senate passes controversial vote-by-mail changes
With Democrats likening the measure to Jim Crow-era practices aimed at keeping Black people from voting, the state Senate on Monday passed an elections package that would make it harder for Floridians to cast ballots by mail.
Voucher expansion going to DeSantis
Moving Florida a step closer to a major expansion of school vouchers, the Senate on Monday passed a measure that would widen eligibility for taxpayer-funded aid to send children to private schools.
Social media crackdown clears Senate
In one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ top priorities of the legislative session, the Florida Senate on Monday passed a measure to crack down on social-media companies that remove users from their platforms.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 22-17, along almost straight party lines, to approve the proposal (SB 7072), which now will go to the House.
Vaping regulation bill backed in Senate
The Florida Senate on Monday passed a plan that would regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes and raise the state’s legal age to use tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21.
Local governments want Supreme Court to decide gun case
Pointing to “far-reaching, statewide implications,” local governments want the Florida Supreme Court to rule in a case about a 2011 state law that threatens tough penalties if city and county officials approve gun-related regulations.
House backs ban on ‘disability’ abortions
After an often-emotional debate, the Florida House on Friday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would prevent doctors from performing abortions that women seek because of tests showing that fetuses will have disabilities.
Senate presses to increase jobless benefits
Despite opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida senators plowed ahead Thursday with a proposal to increase state unemployment benefits, which are among the lowest in the nation.
The Senate voted 40-0 to approve a bill (SB 1906) that would increase maximum weekly payments from $275 to $375 and add more weeks in which benefits would be available. The vote came days after DeSantis voiced opposition and the House rejected efforts to boost benefits.
Parental rights measure heads to DeSantis
A proposal that would outline a series of rights for parents on issues related to education and health care is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis after clearing the Senate on Thursday. Senators voted 24-15, along almost straight party lines, to approve the measure (HB 241). Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, was the only Democrat who voted for the bill.