Senate ready to pass elections revamp
The Republican-controlled Florida Senate is poised to pass a controversial revamp of state elections laws, including putting new restrictions on voting by mail. The Senate took up the bill (SB 90) on Thursday and positioned it for a vote.
Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Day eyed for holidays
A bill that would expand a list of legal holidays in Florida is headed back to the House, after the Senate on Wednesday added two days linked to the end of slavery.
School voucher expansion clears House
The Florida House on Wednesday passed a bill that would significantly expand eligibility for the state’s school-voucher programs. The measure (HB 7045) was approved in a 79-36 vote, largely along party lines. In part, it would consolidate the Gardiner and McKay scholarship programs, which serve students with special needs, with the Family Empowerment Scholarship program, which serves a broader population of low- to middle-income families.
Court rules against transgender woman in rights case
A sharply divided appeals court Wednesday rejected a lawsuit alleging that a transgender woman faced illegal discrimination when she was asked to change seats at a Black Chippendales show because performers objected to her presence.
Senate continues looking at higher jobless benefits
Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, held out hope that unemployment benefits can be increased after the House approved an unemployment-system revamp Wednesday that does not include boosting benefits.
By the numbers: Vaccinations by age
As of Monday, more than 8.14 million people in Florida had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Here is a breakdown by age groups:
— Ages 16 to 24: 395,449 people
— Ages 25 to 34: 612, 238 people
Exemption could shield lottery winners
Big winners of Florida lottery games could have three months to start spending the money before they are publicly identified, under a measure set for a vote Wednesday in the House.
Senate scraps alimony overhaul effort
Senate Republican leaders have dropped a perennially controversial effort to overhaul the state’s alimony laws, saying Tuesday they’ll take another stab at a revamp during next year’s legislative session.
House rejects effort to boost jobless benefits
House Republicans on Tuesday rejected Democratic efforts to increase unemployment assistance, days after Gov. Ron DeSantis opposed boosting benefits that are among the lowest in the nation.
Guns at church bill goes to Senate floor
An effort to allow people to carry guns at churches that share locations with schools is going to the Senate floor. The Rules Committee on Tuesday approved a measure (HB 259) that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to bring guns on properties shared by churches and schools. Florida law generally allows people to carry concealed weapons at churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions, but it bars being armed on school properties.