Statewide News

Among points in Gov. DeSantis' proposed budget are tax cuts and boosting spendingfor the Florida Education Finance Program, which is the main funding formula for public schools and voucher programs. FILE PHOTO

Among points in Gov. DeSantis' proposed budget are tax cuts and boosting spendingfor the Florida Education Finance Program, which is the main funding formula for public schools and voucher programs. FILE PHOTO

DeSantis Proposes $114.4 billion state budget

Jim Turner And Ryan Dailey
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
News Service of Florida — Governor Ron DeSantis 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.
At least one Florida legislator think it’s time to look at redesigning the standard state of Florida license plate. PHOTO/FLA DEPT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES

At least one Florida legislator think it’s time to look at redesigning the standard state of Florida license plate. PHOTO/FLA DEPT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES

Is the Florida license plate at end of road?

Jim Turner
Saturday, December 2, 2023
News Service of Florida -- Florida’s standard license plates have long featured a pair of oranges and an orange blossom. But Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, said this week that talks are underway to update the design.
A pair of candidates in a election for the third calendar-year in a row will face off for the vacated Florida State House of Representatives district 35 seat; the election day is Jan. 16 but polls will open and vote-by-mail ballots will go out sooner.

A pair of candidates in a election for the third calendar-year in a row will face off for the vacated Florida State House of Representatives district 35 seat; the election day is Jan. 16 but polls will open and vote-by-mail ballots will go out sooner.

Booth, Keen outline platforms for Jan. 16 State House special election

Ken Jackson
Thursday, November 30, 2023
After one holiday and leading into another, most of us just want a little time to decompress before ramping back up again. For Erika Booth and Tom Keen, they don’t have that luxury — if they want to represent eastern Osceola and Orange counties in Tallahassee come January.
Just over 35 million people traveled to Florida during the third quarter of 2023, 1.4 percent more than during the same period of 2022 and 7.9 percent above the total in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic began. TAILOR MADE FLORIDA HIGHWAYS

Just over 35 million people traveled to Florida during the third quarter of 2023, 1.4 percent more than during the same period of 2022 and 7.9 percent above the total in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic began. TAILOR MADE FLORIDA HIGHWAYS

Florida tourism numbers get boost

Jim Turner
Thursday, November 30, 2023
News Service of Florida With international travel clawing closer to pre-pandemic levels, Florida is on pace for a record-setting year for tourism, tourism-marketing agency Visit Florida estimated Thursday. It said just over 35 million people traveled to Florida during the third quarter of 2023, 1.
Advertised as the “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, pictured here in Kissimmee in 2021, will square off for 90 minutes Thursday with California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Fox News. NEWS-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Advertised as the “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, pictured here in Kissimmee in 2021, will square off for 90 minutes Thursday with California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Fox News. NEWS-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Battle of the Governors — Florida's DeSantis, California's Newsom debate Thursday on Fox News

News Staff
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
News Service of Florida -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will square off for 90 minutes Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern with California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Fox News.DeSantis and Newsom will debate in Alpharetta, Ga.
Florida’s near-historic low unemployment rate remained at 2.8 percent in October, as the state’s labor force continued to grow. FILE PHOTO

Florida’s near-historic low unemployment rate remained at 2.8 percent in October, as the state’s labor force continued to grow. FILE PHOTO

Florida jobless rate stays at 2.8 percent

Jim Turner
Friday, November 24, 2023
Florida’s near-historic low unemployment rate remained at 2.8 percent in October, as the state’s labor force continued to grow. But, economists think Florida might be due for an uptick in the jobless rate — which might not necessarily be a bad thing.
Simpson said the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a way for farmers and ranchers to continue operating amid the pressures of rising land values and a rapidly growing population. PHOTO/FLA. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

Simpson said the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a way for farmers and ranchers to continue operating amid the pressures of rising land values and a rapidly growing population. PHOTO/FLA. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

Ag commish Simpson seeks $300M for conservation program

Jim Turner
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Ag commish Simpson seeks $300M for conservation program Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is seeking $300 million for a program designed to keep swaths of rural land from commercial and residential development, triple the amount vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year.
Frequent users of local toll roads, including the Turnpike (pictured) and Central Florida Expressway Authority roads like Poinciana Parkway and State Road 417, have gotten high-use discounts in 2023. Tallahassee Republicans have talked of extending the break in 2024. FILE PHOTO

Frequent users of local toll roads, including the Turnpike (pictured) and Central Florida Expressway Authority roads like Poinciana Parkway and State Road 417, have gotten high-use discounts in 2023. Tallahassee Republicans have talked of extending the break in 2024. FILE PHOTO

Could toll breaks continue in 2024?

Jim Turner
Monday, November 13, 2023
News Service of Florida -- As Governor Ron DeSantis prepares proposals for the 2024 legislative session, continuing to give financial breaks to frequent users of toll roads could be on the table. Lt. Gov.
On a recent episode of the News Service of Florida’s “A Deeper Dive with Dara Kam” podcast, guest host Jim Rosica, editor-in-chief of City & State Florida, and NSF state writer Jim Turner held a “way-too-early” discussion of those who could be a part of that ’26 gubernatorial race.

On a recent episode of the News Service of Florida’s “A Deeper Dive with Dara Kam” podcast, guest host Jim Rosica, editor-in-chief of City & State Florida, and NSF state writer Jim Turner held a “way-too-early” discussion of those who could be a part of that ’26 gubernatorial race.

A way-too-early look at the ’26 Governor’s election

Ken Jackson
Saturday, November 11, 2023
So, who’s going to win the election? Not the one next year — let’s have a little fun at looking at the next next one: the 2026 to follow Ron DeSantis as Florida’s governor.
The Seminole Indian Tribe quietly got its sports betting app back this week, allowing a limited group of gamblers to again place wagers anywhere in Florida. FILE PHOTO

The Seminole Indian Tribe quietly got its sports betting app back this week, allowing a limited group of gamblers to again place wagers anywhere in Florida. FILE PHOTO

Seminole Tribe launches ‘limited’ online sports betting

Dara Kam
Saturday, November 11, 2023
After scoring a major legal victory, the Seminole Tribe of Florida Tuesday quietly relaunched a sports betting app allowing a limited group of gamblers to place wagers anywhere in Florida.
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