DeSantis administration pushes for ‘job growth’ money
February 17, 2021
As state lawmakers face a revenue shortfall amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration says a request for $50 million for business incentives wouldn’t have that large of an impact…
Vote-by-mail change sparks Senate debate
February 16, 2021
After Florida has received widespread praise for its handling of the 2020 election, Republicans and Democrats clashed Tuesday as a Senate committee approved a bill that would require voters to more f…
Vacation rental proposal on the move in Senate
February 16, 2021
A controversial effort to further limit local governments’ ability to regulate and inspect vacation rental properties is advancing in the Florida Senate, as the proposal’s sponsor on Tuesday assured…
Storm delays COVID-19 vaccine delivery
February 16, 2021
A shipment to Florida of more than 200,000 doses of Moderna vaccine has been delayed due to a storm that has battered parts of the country, and the state’s top emergency management official doesn’t k…
Moment of silence in schools backed by house
February 16, 2021
With the proposal’s sponsor saying children growing up now “have issues” in part because “they don’t have time for moments of reflection,” a House panel Tuesday approved a controversial bill that wou…
Alcohol ‘to go’ proposal motors ahead
February 16, 2021
Driving home with sealed mixed drinks or other alcoholic libations as part of “to go” meals, an option allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic to help restaurants, moved closer Tuesday to becoming perma…
Florida tourism numbers lowest since 2010
February 16, 2021
COVID-19 ended a decade of record-setting tourism numbers in Florida, with the industry seeing a 34 percent drop in visitors in 2020 compared to the prior year.
Business liability protections delayed in Senate
February 16, 2021
A scheduled committee vote on a high-profile bill that would protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits was delayed Monday after the measure’s primary sponsor, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Pete…
State grants extra time for standardized tests
February 15, 2021
Amid a debate about whether students should be required to take standardized tests in person as COVID-19 continues to spread, the state Department of Education is giving an additional two weeks for t…
No-fault repeal backed in Senate
February 15, 2021
Florida senators continued moving forward Monday with a proposal to do away with the state’s longstanding no-fault auto insurance system, with trial attorneys and insurers closely watching the debate.