Tag Archives: Florida

Florida Politics reports: If Florida bans cultivated meat, it will be the first in the nation to do so. With food scarcity challenging modern agriculture, those behind the development of alternative protein sources fear this will set a dangerous precedent. That hasn’t stopped legislation from plowing forward in the House and Senate. Language completely banning the manufacturing, sale or distribution …

The Tallahassee Democrat reports: Transgender Floridians can no longer change the listed gender on their driver licenses. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced the change in a memo late last week sent to county tax collectors, where state residents can get licenses. “Permitting an individual to alter his or her license to reflect an internal sense …

Florida Politics reports: “Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport,” urged Ron DeSantis about U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, who is taking criticism from the Right for comments she made privileging Somalia over the United States. As Newsweek notes, Omar recently told a crowd of Somali American constituents that she was “Somalian first, Muslim second” and “here to protect the interests of …

“My opponent is a complete liar. She’s a socialist, she’s a liar and she’s a radical. I’ve been clear — I’m pro-baby, I’m pro-life. I think we have to have reasonable limitations for rape, incest and the life of the mother. In the Senate every Democrat has voted for abortion up until the moment of birth. She ought to say …

Florida Politics reports: Sen. Jonathan Martin’s legislation (SB 1530) would ban counties and municipalities from permitting public sleeping or public camping on public property without explicit permission via temporary permits, a move deemed by the bill language to fulfill an “important state interest.” Localities may designate certain public property for sleeping or camping with the sanction of the Department of …

The Insider reports: On Sunday, Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida was asked about federal funding she’s been bragging about bringing to her Miami-area district. It didn’t go so well. In an interview with CBS Miami on Sunday, host Jim DeFede asked Salazar about her votes against three bills: an omnibus bill to fund the government for 2023, the …

Florida Politics reports: CFO Jimmy Patronis seems to believe Gov. Ron DeSantis wasn’t fully informed before his veto threat against legislation that would have slotted $5 million of state dollars to a former President’s much-needed legal defense. To that end, Patronis seeks a “dialogue” about proposals which would provide up to $5 million from a fund that gives public money …

The Messenger reports: Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ so-called “anti-woke” crusade has now removed sociology as a core class from all 12 of the state’s public universities. What the board refers to as a “factual history course” is replacing Principles of Sociology in the universities in what is widely seen as the start of a general rout of sociology classes. When …

Miami’s NBC affiliate reports: Florida election officials confirmed Friday that a proposed abortion rights amendment has qualified for the 2024 ballot, but its future hinges on a Florida Supreme Court decision. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody submitted the measure to the Florida Supreme Court for judicial review last October, but justices have yet to make a decision. The court is …

NBC New reports: The University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, will close its Office of Diversity and Inclusion — and, with it, its interfaith, intercultural, women’s and LGBTQ centers — to comply with the new law, President Moaz Limayem said in a letter. Cassandra Edwards, a spokesperson for the university system, said in an email Thursday that Florida “will remain …

The Messenger reports: The Florida House of Representatives has passed two bills banning social media for minors under age 16 and requiring age verification for pornographic sites, just two weeks into their 2024 legislative session. With House approval, the bills will now head to the state Senate before making its way to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk. If the governor …

Florida Politics reports: The House Choice and Innovation Subcommittee is advancing a bill that would give some groups certain rights in K-12 schools. Rep. Wyman Duggan’s bill (HB 1317) would allow representatives of so-called “patriotic organizations” time to meet with students and distribute recruitment materials, with schools providing designated time for these groups to pitch their attendees. The bill also …

CBS News reports: A Florida House panel has backed a measure that would require state-issued identification cards to reflect a person’s sex assigned at birth and impose requirements for insurers who cover gender-affirming care. The Republican-controlled House Select Committee on Health Innovation approved the bill (HB 1639) along party lines, despite opposition from transgender people and their allies. Under the …

Florida Politics reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis left the presidential race after the first caucuses in Iowa this year. But in four years, he may run again, he said on the “Steve Deace Show.” “We’ll see what the future holds,” DeSantis said. DeSantis said he viewed this year as “really a hinge point in American history and if we don’t get …

The Huffington Post reports: Ron DeSantis ran for president for less than nine months before ending his campaign following the Iowa caucuses, and before a second nominating contest in New Hampshire that he was primed to lose to both Donald Trump and Nikki Haley. But in that time, the DeSantis campaign and its allied super PAC, Never Back Down, spent …

Florida Politics reports: Florida’s Governor nipped in the bud proposed legislation that would put the taxpayers on the hook for Donald Trump’s legal bills. “But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen,” Ron DeSantis tweeted from his campaign account, responding to a story about legislation that would provide up to $5 million from a fund that gives public …

Florida Politics reports: A bill that would protect historical memorials, including controversial monuments to the Confederacy erected after the Civil War by White citizens’ groups, moved through a committee in the Senate, powered by a Republican supermajority on the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability. Sen. Jonathan Martin’s bill (SB 1122) would impose penalties on local officials who removed …

Marijuana Moment reports: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) says a marijuana legalization initiative will be on the state’s November ballot, predicting a favorable legal outcome for activists in the Supreme Court in the face of a challenge from the attorney general who is seeking to block the vote. Days before dropping out of the race for the 2024 Republican presidential …

Florida Politics reports: Former President Donald Trump could receive $5 million from Florida coffers if Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’ proposal to pay his legal fees over alleged “political discrimination” passes the Legislature. Patronis previously called for the fund to be set up after Trump was hit with indictments and charges relating to several allegations in various jurisdictions. “We’ve got …

Florida Politics reports: U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee was the only member of Florida’s congressional delegation to endorse Ron DeSantis for President. Now she’s following his lead and backing former President Donald Trump. “Our country needs a conservative leader in the White House,” said Lee, a Thonotosassa Republican. Lee announced her support a day after DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign. She …