State

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.

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a State of the State address to start the 2022 legislative session. Tom Urban/File

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10 big issues in the 2024 session

News Staff

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Florida lawmakers will start the annual 60-day legislative session on Jan. 9, with Gov. Ron DeSantis giving his State of the State address.

Rep. Dana Trabulsy, R-Fort Pierce, chairs a House panel looking at the problem of chronic student absenteeism. File photo

Lawmakers look to curb student absenteeism

News Staff

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Florida lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session could look to address the problem of chronic absenteeism among public-school students. Data collected by the Florida Department of Education showed that 20.