Statewide News

House Speaker Daniel Perez (left) and Senate President Ben Albritton (right) took part in a traditional hanky-drop ceremony marking the end of the legislative session. (NSF Photo/Tom Urban)

House Speaker Daniel Perez (left) and Senate President Ben Albritton (right) took part in a traditional hanky-drop ceremony marking the end of the legislative session. (NSF Photo/Tom Urban)

Florida lawmakers pass $115.1 billion budget as session ends

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
By Jim Turner and Tom Urban—One of the more-contentious legislative sessions in recent history came to a close late Monday as lawmakers approved a $115.1 billion budget for next fiscal year and prepared to send it to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
House Budget Chairman Lawrence McClure, in tie, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, right, discuss the state budget. (NSF Photo/Jim Turner)

House Budget Chairman Lawrence McClure, in tie, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, right, discuss the state budget. (NSF Photo/Jim Turner)

State budget poised for Monday vote

Jim Turner
Sunday, June 15, 2025
News Service of Florida: Six weeks after the state budget was expected to be completed, legislative leaders Friday finished negotiating details of a spending plan for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and set the stage for the House and Senate to vote on Monday.
While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

FWC: Florida bear hunt planned for December

Jim Turner
Saturday, June 14, 2025
News Service of Florida: Amid support from hunters and warnings of a “slaughter” from animal-rights advocates, state wildlife officials Wednesday moved forward with Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper said work continued through the weekend on a new state budget. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper said work continued through the weekend on a new state budget. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Florida House, Senate continue hammering out budget

Jim Turner
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
News Service of Florida: House and Senate budget leaders Monday rushed to finalize a new state spending plan, while Governor Ron DeSantis continued calling for giving property-tax rebates.
The House and Senate returned to Tallahassee this week and are expected to have a spending plan finalized in time for June 16 votes.

The House and Senate returned to Tallahassee this week and are expected to have a spending plan finalized in time for June 16 votes.

Lawmakers agree on Everglades, citrus money

Jim Turner
Friday, June 6, 2025
Florida lawmakers Wednesday continued slowly trying to bridge differences on a new state budget, with the House agreeing to a Senate stance on money for the Everglades and $104.5 million for citrus research.
The law, which was one of the top issues of the 2024 legislative session, seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts on certain platforms — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts.

The law, which was one of the top issues of the 2024 legislative session, seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts on certain platforms — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts.

Federal judge blocks Florida social media age law

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
News Service of Florida — A federal judge Tuesday blocked a 2024 Florida law aimed at keeping children off social-media platforms, saying it likely violates First Amendment rights and pointing to the role of parents in policing social-media use.
Florida House and Senate leaders issued memos late Friday night that indicated they expect to pass a budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year on Monday, June 16.

Florida House and Senate leaders issued memos late Friday night that indicated they expect to pass a budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year on Monday, June 16.

Florida House, Senate agreement sets stage for budget talks to resume Tuesday

Jim Saunders
Saturday, May 31, 2025
News Service of Florida -- Nearly a month after leaving the Capitol without passing a budget, House and Senate leaders said Friday night they had reached an agreement that will clear the way for lawmakers to begin hammering out details of a spending plan Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Tallahassee.
The Legislature on Friday formally sent bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis that would prevent elementary and middle school students from using cell phones during the entire school day.

The Legislature on Friday formally sent bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis that would prevent elementary and middle school students from using cell phones during the entire school day.

School cell phone bill goes to DeSantis

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
The Legislature on Friday formally sent bills to Governor Ron DeSantis that would prevent elementary and middle school students from using cell phones during the entire school day and create a new third-degree felony offense of animal cruelty for people who restrain dogs outside during natural...
While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

FWC: Florida bear hunt planned for December

Jim Turner
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
News Service of Florida — Amid support from hunters and warnings of a “slaughter” from animal-rights advocates, state wildlife officials Wednesday moved forward with Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez said the House continues to make offers to the Senate about a tax package and a budget that must be completed by the July 1 start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez said the House continues to make offers to the Senate about a tax package and a budget that must be completed by the July 1 start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Legislature: state budget talks not ‘any closer’

Jim Turner
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
News Service of Florida — As budget talks remain stalled, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez said Tuesday the House has offered possibilities including a “lean, critical-needs budget with minimal spending and no tax cuts.
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