Statewide News

A bill that would expand vaccine exemptions for K-12 schools passed its second committee hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, but only after some Republican members expressed concern over the proposal.(Photo Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

A bill that would expand vaccine exemptions for K-12 schools passed its second committee hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, but only after some Republican members expressed concern over the proposal.(Photo Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

'Medical Freedom' bill advances despite GOP concerns

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Ana Goñi-Lessan News Service of Florida A bill that would expand vaccine exemptions for K-12 schools passed its second committee hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, but only after some Republican members expressed concern over the proposal.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, is sponsoring a bill aimed at using "granny flats" to help address the state's affordable housing problems. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, is sponsoring a bill aimed at using "granny flats" to help address the state's affordable housing problems. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Senate passes bill creating public registry of animal abusers

News Service Of Florida
Monday, February 23, 2026
By Ana Goñi-LessanNews Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE – People who abuse animals would be put on a public registry under a bill passed unanimously by the Florida Senate on Friday.
If 60 percent of voters approve the measure, it would take effect in the 2027 tax year. But it’s far from certain the proposal – at least this version – will make it to the ballot. (Photo/Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

If 60 percent of voters approve the measure, it would take effect in the 2027 tax year. But it’s far from certain the proposal – at least this version – will make it to the ballot. (Photo/Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

House backs referendum to cut most homestead property taxes

Jim Turner
Thursday, February 19, 2026
News Service of Florida — A proposal asking voters in November to eliminate most homestead property taxes cleared the House Thursday, while the Senate has yet to advance a similar measure.
House Appropriations Chairman Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, R-Trinity, speak to reporters after finalizing budget talks on Friday. (Photo/Jim Turner, News Service of Florida)

House Appropriations Chairman Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, R-Trinity, speak to reporters after finalizing budget talks on Friday. (Photo/Jim Turner, News Service of Florida)

State Senate delays budget while House releases theirs

News Service Of Florida
Friday, February 13, 2026
By Gray RohrerNews Service of FloridaLet the budget battle begin. Hours after the State Senate announced it would delay the release of its budget to align its timing with the House, the House unveiled its spending plan. The $113.
Last week Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable on artificial intelligence at New College of Florida in Sarasota where he stressed that the state has a responsibility to channel technology to benefit people and enhance, rather than supplant, the human experience. (Photo/Joe Raedle/Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Last week Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable on artificial intelligence at New College of Florida in Sarasota where he stressed that the state has a responsibility to channel technology to benefit people and enhance, rather than supplant, the human experience. (Photo/Joe Raedle/Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

DeSantis, state House of Representatives differ on AI legislation

Jim Turner
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up his concerns last week about potential “serious harms” from the growth of artificial intelligence and the need for state regulations.
(Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

(Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

Senate passes housing bill

Jim Turner
Friday, February 6, 2026
News Service of Florida: A proposal to boost affordable housing through garage apartments and other accessory dwellings on single family home lots passed the Florida Senate on Wednesday.However, the action once again awaits action by the House.
House Bill 1205, which has been in the courts almost since its signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 2, 2025, imposed additional hurdles on the ballot-initiative process and heightened penalties for wrongdoing.

House Bill 1205, which has been in the courts almost since its signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 2, 2025, imposed additional hurdles on the ballot-initiative process and heightened penalties for wrongdoing.

Proposed Constitutional amendments fail to gain ballot access

Jim Turner
Monday, February 2, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida Decides Healthcare, a political committee sponsoring a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at expanding Medicaid coverage, was quick to turn its eyes to 2028 as the state declared an end to all initiative petition drives for the November ballot.
Republican lawmakers are trying to revive an effort to create an exemption to the state’s voter-approved minimum wage that would apply to workers classified as trainees.

Republican lawmakers are trying to revive an effort to create an exemption to the state’s voter-approved minimum wage that would apply to workers classified as trainees.

State GOP lawmakers OK minimum wage change

Jim Turner
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
News Service of Florida — Republican lawmakers are trying to revive an effort to create an exemption to the state’s voter-approved minimum wage that would apply to workers classified as trainees.
As the Florida Senate continues to ponder an approach to lowering property taxes, House committees Thursday advanced two tax-cut proposals that could go before voters in November.

As the Florida Senate continues to ponder an approach to lowering property taxes, House committees Thursday advanced two tax-cut proposals that could go before voters in November.

Property tax proposals moving forward in Legislature

Jim Turner
Sunday, January 25, 2026
News Service of Florida: As the Florida Senate continues to ponder an approach to lowering property taxes, House committees Thursday advanced two tax-cut proposals that could go before voters.
Senate President Ben Albritton was hospitalized after experiencing chest pain. (Photo/Colin Hackney, News Service of Florida)

Senate President Ben Albritton was hospitalized after experiencing chest pain. (Photo/Colin Hackney, News Service of Florida)

Senate President Ben Albritton hospitalized after chest pain

Jim Saunders
Sunday, January 25, 2026
WEDNESDAY UPDATE — Albritton was released late Tuesday afternoon from UF Health Shands Hospital and returned to Tallahassee after a health scare that started with chest pain over the weekend.
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