Statewide News

Senate President Ben Albritton hopes to pass a "rural renaissance" plan during the 2026 session. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

Senate President Ben Albritton hopes to pass a "rural renaissance" plan during the 2026 session. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

10 Legislative issues to watch during the current session

Jim Saunders
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Florida lawmakers started the 2026 legislative session Tuesday. With hundreds of bills filed for consideration during the session, here are 10 issues to watch:ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a priority of creating what he has dubbed an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.
State Legislature leaders spoke of providing voters the opportunity to pass "meaningful property tax relief" at the start of the legislative session Tuesday.

State Legislature leaders spoke of providing voters the opportunity to pass "meaningful property tax relief" at the start of the legislative session Tuesday.

Tallahassee lawmakers start new 'journey'

Jim Turner
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Republican legislative leaders opened the 2026 legislative session Tuesday citing a need to make life more affordable for Floridians.But they offered few clues about what will pass in the coming weeks and downplayed divisions between the House and Senate that emerged during the 2025 session.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announced Monday he will run for governor this year. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announced Monday he will run for governor this year. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

Republican Jay Collins launches Gubernatorial bid

Jim Turner
Monday, January 12, 2026
News Service of Florida — After months of speculation, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins on Monday announced he will run for governor this year, setting up a Republican primary fight against Congressman Byron Donalds, former state House Speaker Paul Renner and investment firm CEO James Fishback.
With Florida’s regular 60-day session starting next week, DeSantis called the special session for the week of April 20, at least in part to give the U.S. Supreme Court time to rule in a pending Louisiana redistricting case. (File Photo)

With Florida’s regular 60-day session starting next week, DeSantis called the special session for the week of April 20, at least in part to give the U.S. Supreme Court time to rule in a pending Louisiana redistricting case. (File Photo)

Gov. DeSantis sets April redistricting session

Jim Turner
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday called a special legislative session in April to redraw congressional districts, as Republicans seek to maintain control of the U.S. House in this year’s elections.
Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, filed a proposed "Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights" on Monday. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF File)

Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, filed a proposed "Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights" on Monday. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF File)

AI ‘Bill of Rights’ emerges in State Senate

Jim Turner
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
News Service of Florida — In a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Senate Republican on Monday filed a proposal dubbed the “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.”The proposal (Senate Bill 482), filed by Sen.
In his final budget proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out a $117.36 billion plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes increased money for teachers and law-enforcement officers.

In his final budget proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out a $117.36 billion plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes increased money for teachers and law-enforcement officers.

DeSantis’s proposed state budget tops $117 billion

Jim Turner
Friday, December 12, 2025
News Service of Florida -- In his final budget proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out a $117.36 billion plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes increased money for teachers and law-enforcement officers.
The lawsuit, filed in 2024, alleges that the company has violated a law known as the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. But attorneys for Meta argued in last week’s petition that the case should be tossed out.

The lawsuit, filed in 2024, alleges that the company has violated a law known as the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. But attorneys for Meta argued in last week’s petition that the case should be tossed out.

Meta seeks to scuttle state’s lawsuit

Jim Saunders
Friday, December 5, 2025
News Service of Florida — Meta Platforms, Inc., has gone to an appeals court after a circuit judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Florida Attorney General's Office alleging that features of Facebook and Instagram are harmful to children and that the company engaged in misrepresentation.
Four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for homeowners continued moving forward Tuesday in the Florida House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services.

Four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for homeowners continued moving forward Tuesday in the Florida House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services.

House panel backs property tax proposals

Jim Turner
Friday, December 5, 2025
News Service of Florida — Four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for homeowners continued moving forward Tuesday in the Florida House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services.
The social media provider claims a federal law "provides an immunity from suit that prevents interactive computer service providers such as Meta from facing liability based on their role as publishers of third-party content." (File Photo)"

The social media provider claims a federal law "provides an immunity from suit that prevents interactive computer service providers such as Meta from facing liability based on their role as publishers of third-party content." (File Photo)"

Meta seeks to scuttle state’s lawsuit

Jim Saunders
Monday, December 1, 2025
News Service of Florida — Meta Platforms, Inc., has gone to an appeals court after a circuit judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Florida Attorney General’s Office alleging that features of Facebook and Instagram are harmful to children and that the company engaged in misrepresentation.
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