News
Mark McNees: SB 484 is good law, but who decides what’s ‘feasible?’
2+ hour, 5+ min ago (631+ words) Here is a word that does not appear in Florida Statutes with a definition: feasible. The Florida Legislature just sent SB 484 to Gov. Ron DeSantis" desk. The Senate passed it 31-6, and the bill requires Florida"s Public Service Commission to…...
Andy Thomson wins Boca Raton Mayor’s race after recount
4+ hour, 14+ min ago (566+ words) Boca Raton City Council member Andy Thomson has been declared the winner of the city's razor-thin mayoral race after a recount confirmed he defeated political newcomer Mike Liebelson by just five votes. The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections (SOE)…...
Left in the heat: Bills to require air conditioning in prisons stall again as lawsuit advances
5+ hour, 45+ min ago (473+ words) Legislation to guarantee air conditioning and basic rights for Florida inmates is once again dying quietly without a single Committee hearing " even as a related lawsuit moves forward. Substantively identical bills (SB 106, HB 55) by Tamarac Sen.Rosalind Osgoodand Tampa Rep....
Ben Albritton says there is still time to pass budget amid Session criticism from Republicans, Democrats
5+ hour, 2+ min ago (628+ words) Senate President Ben Albritton says he is not alarmed that lawmakers are leaving on Sine Die without a budget as both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the Legislature's paralysis and priorities. The 60-day Regular Session is over and lawmakers are…...
Local builders and contractors group urges support for Rays stadium, as reports indicate possible $1B ask
4+ hour, 36+ min ago (506+ words) The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida Gulf Coast Chapter is urging elected officials in Tampa and Hillsborough County to support the proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium and affiliated development project at Hillsborough College. The support comes as the Tampa…...
Reproductive rights advocates say they ‘dodged a bullet’ this Session
5+ hour, 15+ min ago (567+ words) As the Republican-controlled Legislature wraps up the Regular Session, at least one group is happy with how little was accomplished. Planned Parenthood's political arm issued a statement cheering the failure to pass several bills the group said would be harmful…...
Despite House blessing, Senate’s lack of appetite kills thoroughbred horse racing ‘decoupling’
5+ hour, 53+ min ago (418+ words) A'bill that would have leveled the playing field among pari-mutuel activities while decoupling thoroughbred horse racing from other gambling activities cleared the House last month, but failed to gain traction in the Senate. House lawmakers last month passed a Committee…...
House blocks Anna Eskamani’s late attempt to undo parts of last year’s SB 180 storm recovery law
6+ hour, 48+ min ago (460+ words) A push from St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie'to reverse "unintended consequences" imposed by last year's storm recovery bill (SB 180) received an unexpected last gasp in the House with support by Orlando Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, but it was shot…...
Ben Albritton says ‘laser focus’ led to productive Senate Session
6+ hour, 41+ min ago (351+ words) With the 60 days of the regular Legislative Session now complete and a trio of returns to Tallahassee expected this Spring and Summer, Senate President'Ben Albritton is upbeat about what his colleagues and he got done so far this year. "While…...
Legislature OKs land-use preemption bill after nixing UDB change, keeping Fontainebleau provision
7+ hour, 5+ min ago (1197+ words) After more than an hour of Senate floor debate and a flurry of amendments, followed by brief but contentious discussion in the House, the Legislature has approved a sweeping land-use measure to significantly curb local governments" authority over development decisions....