State

Gov. Ron DeSantis/ File photo

DeSantis backs efforts to get homeless off streets

News Staff

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday supported legislation that seeks to prevent homeless people from sleeping in public places such as streets, sidewalks and parks, as a Senate committee moved forward with the proposal.

Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral, is sponsoring a bill about the Florida State Guard. Colin Hackley/File

State Guard could get go-ahead outside Florida

News Staff

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The Florida State Guard, revived by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could operate outside Florida and be called into service anytime he “deemed necessary,” under a bill approved Thursday by a House panel.

Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, is backing a budget proposal for construction projects in the prison system. Colin Hackley/File

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State budget proposals start taking shape

News Staff

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Lawmakers could boost spending on the state prison system, but Gov. Ron DeSantis’ requests to increase funding for tourism marketing and economic development weren’t included Wednesday as the Legislature started releasing initial budget proposals.

DeSantis drops presidential bid. File photo

DeSantis drops presidential bid

News Staff

Monday, January 22, 2024

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday dropped his bid for president, saying he didn’t have a “clear path to victory” and that a majority of Republican voters back former President Donald Trump. DeSantis, who announced the decision on social media, endorsed Trump over former South Carolina Gov.

Florida State Capitol building, Tallahassee

Fees proposed in school books challenges

News Staff

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Amid widespread controversy about removing books from school shelves, the Florida House is moving forward with a bill that could lead to fees for people who challenge numerous library books or learning materials.

Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, is sponsoring a bill about lawsuits over "unborn child" deaths. Colin Hackley/File

Panel backs lawsuits over 'unborn child' deaths

News Staff

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Less than a year after passing a measure that would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, Republican lawmakers are pursuing an effort to allow parents to file civil lawsuits seeking damages for the wrongful death of an “unborn child.

House Speaker Paul Renner. File photo

House panel backs curbing minors’ social media use

News Staff

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Florida House on Thursday began moving forward with a plan to restrict minors’ use of social media, with House Speaker Paul Renner saying that the sites are “highly addictive and also highly damaging” to youths.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives in Tallahassee on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

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DeSantis message: 'Stay the course’

News Staff

Thursday, January 11, 2024

With his presidential campaign in the background, Gov. Ron DeSantis used his annual State of the State address Tuesday to tout Florida’s accomplishments — while offering few new details of priorities for the 2024 legislative session.

Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, is helping sponsor a bill designed to prevent social-media use by minors under age 16. Colin Hackley/File

Updated: Child social media use targeted

News Staff

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

In a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, House and Senate Republicans have filed bills designed to prevent minors under age 16 from having social-media accounts. The House version of the bill (HB 1), filed by Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, and Rep.

Capital building, Tallahassee, Fl. File photo

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Weekly political notes from The News Service of Florida

News Staff

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Home for the holidays Gov. Ron DeSantis was able to leave the presidential campaign trail and go south for “a few days” over the holidays. “We did get to go to Florida for Christmas,” DeSantis said during an interview on “Max & Amy In The Morning,” on the Des Moines, Iowa, radio station WHO.