State

Capitol building, Tallahassee. File photo

Capitol building, Tallahassee. File photo

Lawmakers look at recognizing tribes

State recognition of three Native American tribes in the Panhandle has been proposed in the Florida House and the Senate for the 2024 legislative session. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, on Tuesday filed a bill (SB 1010) similar to a measure, introduced in November by Rep.
The Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida. File photo

The Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida. File photo

Feds fire back in transit money fight, reject union targeting

The Biden administration wants a federal judge to reject a lawsuit filed by Florida in a dispute about transit funding and a new state law that placed additional restrictions on public-employee unions. Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S.

House panel backs easing teen job rules

A House panel Wednesday approved a proposal that would loosen regulations about the numbers of hours that 16-year-old and 17-year-old youths can work, rolling back parts of a decades-old child labor law.
House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, will be a key player in budget negotiations. Colin Hackley/File

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, will be a key player in budget negotiations. Colin Hackley/File

Lawmakers start weighing DeSantis budget plan

Describing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed 2024-2025 budget as “very responsible,” House and Senate Republican budget chiefs on Tuesday brushed aside concerns about the $114.4 billion spending plan.
Ron DeSantis. File photo

Ron DeSantis. File photo

DeSantis proposes $114.4B State budget

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday pitched a $114.4 billion budget for next fiscal year that includes a variety of tax cuts and spending on such things as teacher salary increases and police recruitment bonuses.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola, Jr. reached a gambling deal in 2021. File photo

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola, Jr. reached a gambling deal in 2021. File photo

State fires back in sports betting fight

Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders late Friday urged the Florida Supreme Court to reject a challenge to a deal that allowed the Seminole Tribe to offer online sports betting statewide, saying it does not violate a 2018 constitutional amendment that restricted casino gambling.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about the constitutionality of a 2021 Florida law that placed restrictions on large social-media companies. File photo

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about the constitutionality of a 2021 Florida law that placed restrictions on large social-media companies. File photo

Supreme Court urged to reject Florida teach law

Arguing the law is “entirely incompatible with the First Amendment,” two industry groups Thursday urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a ruling that blocked key parts of a 2021 Florida law placing restrictions on large social-media companies.
Then-President Donald Trump with Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019.  Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Then-President Donald Trump with Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Bill Cotterell: Swapping free speech for right-wing votes

As a graduate of Harvard Law School, Gov. Ron DeSantis is presumed to have more than a passing grasp of the Bill of Rights, particularly the First Amendment.
Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview. File photo

Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview. File photo

Personal pronouns targeted in the workplace

In what could fuel a new round of legislative battles about gender identity, a House Republican on Tuesday filed a bill that would place restrictions on government agencies in the use of personal pronouns. The bill (HB 599), filed by Rep.