Statewide News

The 2024 session came to a close on time, with lawmakers approving a $117.46 billion spending plan to finalize a session that the Senate president touted as targeting “kitchen-table issues” and the House speaker said “addressed the real needs of Floridians.”

The 2024 session came to a close on time, with lawmakers approving a $117.46 billion spending plan to finalize a session that the Senate president touted as targeting “kitchen-table issues” and the House speaker said “addressed the real needs of Floridians.”

SUNDAY SHOWCASE -- That's a wrap!

Ryan Dailey
Sunday, March 10, 2024
The 2024 session came to a close on time, with lawmakers approving a $117.46 billion spending plan to finalize a session that the Senate president touted as targeting “kitchen-table issues” and the House speaker said “addressed the real needs of Floridians.
The bill, in part, would prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts.

The bill, in part, would prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts.

Lawmakers pass social media crackdown

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
(News Service of Florida): TALLAHASSEE — With one lawmaker likening social media to a “dark alley,” the Florida House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that seeks to keep children under 14 years old off social-media platforms.
A key change in the revised version would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts.

A key change in the revised version would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts.

Senate passes revamped social media bill

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
News Service of Florida — Gearing up for an expected legal battle, the Florida Senate on Monday overwhelmingly passed a revamped plan aimed at keeping children off social media.The Senate voted 30-5 to approve the plan (HB 3), three days after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed an earlier version (HB 1).
The bill would provide tuition and fee waivers for students who have dropped out of high school and pursue diplomas and workforce credentials at state colleges. FILE PHOTO

The bill would provide tuition and fee waivers for students who have dropped out of high school and pursue diplomas and workforce credentials at state colleges. FILE PHOTO

College aid OK'd for high school dropouts

Ryan Dailey
Friday, March 1, 2024
News Service of Florida — The Florida Senate Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would provide tuition and fee waivers for students who have dropped out of high school and pursue diplomas and workforce credentials at state colleges.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes related to the 2024-25 gator harvest season. PHOTO/FWC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes related to the 2024-25 gator harvest season. PHOTO/FWC

FWC approves new hunting rules, alligator harvest

Submitted By My Florida Fwc
Sunday, February 25, 2024
At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes related to the 2024-25 hunting seasons, including many dealing with FWC-managed areas, and approved rule changes to establish a special-use alligator harvest opportunity.
Opponents described the bill as “government overreach” and said parents should make decisions about whether children use social media.

Opponents described the bill as “government overreach” and said parents should make decisions about whether children use social media.

Senate passes social media curbs

Jim Saunders
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Amid a debate about the role of government and parental rights, the Florida Senate on Thursday passed a bill that seeks to keep children under age 16 off social-media platforms.
The package would be about half the amount of the $1.3 billion in tax breaks provided during the current fiscal year

The package would be about half the amount of the $1.3 billion in tax breaks provided during the current fiscal year

State House pitches $647.3M tax package

Jim Turner
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA — With legislative leaders saying they expect a tighter budget in the coming year, the House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday will roll out a package of tax cuts that, if left unchanged, would total $647.3 million. The package would be about half the amount of the $1.
Commerce Department on Friday released a report that said Florida had a 3 percent jobless rate in December, with an estimated 334,000 Floridians out of work from a labor force of 11.194 million. FILE PHOTO

Commerce Department on Friday released a report that said Florida had a 3 percent jobless rate in December, with an estimated 334,000 Floridians out of work from a labor force of 11.194 million. FILE PHOTO

Florida Jobless Rate at 3%

Jim Turner
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Florida saw its unemployment rate continue to tick up as 2023 ended.The state Commerce Department on Friday released a report that said Florida had a 3 percent jobless rate in December, with an estimated 334,000 Floridians out of work from a labor force of 11.194 million.The rate was up from 2.
a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the state unconstitutionally retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts because of the company’s opposition to a controversial education law.

a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the state unconstitutionally retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts because of the company’s opposition to a controversial education law.

Judge dismisses Disney lawsuit against DeSantis

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
News Service of Florida — In a win for Governor Ron DeSantis, a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the state unconstitutionally retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts because of the company’s opposition to a controversial education law.U.S.
A federal appeals court on Thursday heard arguments in a challenge to a 2023 law that imposed restrictions on groups that collect voter-registration applications. FILE PHOTO

A federal appeals court on Thursday heard arguments in a challenge to a 2023 law that imposed restrictions on groups that collect voter-registration applications. FILE PHOTO

Appeals court weighs Florida election law

Dara Kam
Friday, January 26, 2024
News Service of Florida — In part of a series of legal battles about Florida election-law changes, a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court on Thursday heard arguments in a challenge to a 2023 law that imposed restrictions on groups that collect voter-registration applications.
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