Statewide News

As soon as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Wednesday requiring voters to prove their citizenship in future elections, voting rights groups filed a legal challenge against it.

As soon as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Wednesday requiring voters to prove their citizenship in future elections, voting rights groups filed a legal challenge against it.

Lawsuit filed as DeSantis signs Florida’s version of the SAVE Act

Jim Turner
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
News Service of Florida — As soon as Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation Wednesday requiring voters to prove their citizenship in future elections, voting rights groups filed a legal challenge against it.The bill (HB 991) part of which takes effect Jan. 1 — after the 2026 election cycle — is...
With the regular session in the rearview mirror, the calls for Gov. Ron DeSantis to apply his signature to bills or bring out the veto pen are just getting started.

With the regular session in the rearview mirror, the calls for Gov. Ron DeSantis to apply his signature to bills or bring out the veto pen are just getting started.

Tallahassee notes: Bill action time

Jim Turner
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
News Service of Florida — With the regular session in the rearview mirror, the calls for Gov. Ron DeSantis to apply his signature to bills or bring out the veto pen are just getting started.Lawmakers pushed 192 general bills and 44 local bills across the finish line before the session petered out...
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday proposed temporarily suspending state gas taxes next year. (News Service of Florida file photo)

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday proposed temporarily suspending state gas taxes next year. (News Service of Florida file photo)

Gov. DeSantis: no ‘simple fix’ For rising gas prices

Jim Turner
Monday, March 23, 2026
News Service of Florida — With average gas prices in Florida approaching $4 a gallon — $3.99 is a common price for regular unleaded around Osceola County — Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday there is no “simple fix” the state could enact.Democrats in the state Legislature have asked the governor to...
Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, is slated Tuesday to be formally designated as the next Senate president. (News Service of Florida photo Colin Hackley/File)

Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, is slated Tuesday to be formally designated as the next Senate president. (News Service of Florida photo Colin Hackley/File)

Budget standoff means lawmakers will return amid ‘Animosity,’ ‘Mistrust’

News Service Of Florida
Friday, March 13, 2026
By Gray Rohrer News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — For the second straight year, lawmakers will need extra time to complete the budget – the one bill the Legislature is constitutionally required to pass each year.Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said talks with House Speaker Daniel...
Rep. Daniel Perez, R-Miami, is preparing to become House speaker after the November elections. (Photo Colin Hackley/File)

Rep. Daniel Perez, R-Miami, is preparing to become House speaker after the November elections. (Photo Colin Hackley/File)

Legislature: budget talks will require overtime

Jim Turner
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
State legislators won't complete the budget by Friday, requiring talks on the spending plan to move beyond the scheduled end of the regular session, House Speaker Daniel Perez said Monday.In advising House members of “what to expect in the months ahead,” the Miami Republican said they will continue...
As the scheduled end of the legislative session nears and committees are slated to stop meeting after Tuesday, some bills that had a fighting chance in January are now on life support. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

As the scheduled end of the legislative session nears and committees are slated to stop meeting after Tuesday, some bills that had a fighting chance in January are now on life support. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Five bills struggling as legislative session nears end

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Ana Goñi-Lessan News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE – As the scheduled end of the legislative session nears and committees are slated to stop meeting after Tuesday, some bills that had a fighting chance in January are now on life support.With less than two weeks remaining in the regular session,...
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.Some GOP members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on...
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.The bill (SB 1004) will require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to include information about people who violate...
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.The Republican-controlled House voted 80-30 along party lines on a proposal (HJR 203) to put a measure on the...
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.
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