Statewide News

An initiative to keep Florida free from abortion restrictions has garnered enough signed petitions to appear on the state's 2024 election ballot.PHOTO/MSI REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES

An initiative to keep Florida free from abortion restrictions has garnered enough signed petitions to appear on the state's 2024 election ballot.PHOTO/MSI REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES

Florida abortion amendment meets signature requirements

Jim Saunders
Friday, January 5, 2024
News Service of Florida -- Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ensuring abortion rights in Florida have submitted enough valid petition signatures to get on the November ballot, a key step in what could become the state’s biggest political battle this year.
Florida's "Move Over Law" expands on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 to include providing space when disabled vehicles are stopped along roads with people visible or such things as warning lights on. GRAPHIC/FLHSMV

Florida's "Move Over Law" expands on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 to include providing space when disabled vehicles are stopped along roads with people visible or such things as warning lights on. GRAPHIC/FLHSMV

New Year, New Laws: see what goes into effect (and ends) in 2024

Jim Turner
Sunday, December 31, 2023
News Service of Florida: Several changes in state laws take hold as 2024 begins, from an expansion of the state’s “move over” traffic law to stricter rules involving investments in Iran.
The tax holiday will start Monday and is similar to the back-to-school holidays that Florida has long offered during the summer. FILE GRAPHIC

The tax holiday will start Monday and is similar to the back-to-school holidays that Florida has long offered during the summer. FILE GRAPHIC

Second school supply sales tax 'holiday’ starts Monday through Jan. 14

Jim Turner
Saturday, December 30, 2023
News Service of Florida: A top retail-industry official is optimistic businesses will get a boost when Florida, for the first time, offers a back-to-school tax “holiday” as students return from their winter break.
Proposal supporters described the proposal as providing “flexible work options” to "youth workers who are driving automobiles ... not children.”

Proposal supporters described the proposal as providing “flexible work options” to "youth workers who are driving automobiles ... not children.”

Florida House panel backs easing teen job rules

Jim Turner
Saturday, December 30, 2023
A Florida House panel has approved a proposal that would loosen regulations about the numbers of hours that 16-year-old and 17-yearold youths can work, rolling back parts of a decades-old child labor law.
Projected to save businesses $219.3 million this fiscal year, the commercial-lease tax is slated to be further lowered to 2 percent next year as part of a 2021 deal.ILLUSTRATION/METRO CREATIVE

Projected to save businesses $219.3 million this fiscal year, the commercial-lease tax is slated to be further lowered to 2 percent next year as part of a 2021 deal.ILLUSTRATION/METRO CREATIVE

Taking aim at the commercial lease tax

Jim Turner
Thursday, December 28, 2023
News Service of Florida — One of the biggest parts of a $1.3 billion tax package passed this spring will take hold Friday: a cut in Florida’s commercial-lease tax from 5.5 percent to 4.5 percent. Projected to save businesses $219.
As announced in late September, through the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, I-4 from Osceola Parkway to Champion Gate, and a separate project from Champions Gate to U.S, 27, are part of a $4 billion state spending plan coming from an allocation from the General Revenue Surplus. FDOT FILE PHOTOS

As announced in late September, through the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, I-4 from Osceola Parkway to Champion Gate, and a separate project from Champions Gate to U.S, 27, are part of a $4 billion state spending plan coming from an allocation from the General Revenue Surplus. FDOT FILE PHOTOS

Money eyed for state’s transportation funding ‘gap’

Jim Turner
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
News Service of Florida -- A $7 billion program to advance a series of transportation projects has hit a funding gap as it enters its second year and will require more money than initially planned from the state’s general-revenue fund. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed $114.
During the upcoming Florida Legislative session starting in weeks, the Florida Senate will take up three bills designed to cut “red tape” on school issues like testing and accountability, financial requirements and personnel decisions. FILE PHOTO

During the upcoming Florida Legislative session starting in weeks, the Florida Senate will take up three bills designed to cut “red tape” on school issues like testing and accountability, financial requirements and personnel decisions. FILE PHOTO

School 'Deregulation' plan backed in Florida Senate

Ryan Dailey
Monday, December 18, 2023
News Service of Florida -- A series of proposals aimed at "deregulation" of public schools, a priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, could be on a fast track for approval by the Senate after receiving backing from a key committee last week.
The Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research released a report that showed the state’s estimated population increased by nearly 359,000 people, or 1.61 percent, over the prior year. FILE PHOTO

The Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research released a report that showed the state’s estimated population increased by nearly 359,000 people, or 1.61 percent, over the prior year. FILE PHOTO

State officials: Florida population growth continues

Ryan Dailey
Friday, December 15, 2023
News Service of Florida — Florida continues to grow as it attracts people from other parts of the U.S., but that growth is projected to slow in the coming years as groups that have been moving to Florida in droves get older, according to state economists.
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.
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