Tag Archives: Florida

ABC News reports: During his first bid for statewide office in 2018, Ron DeSantis was grappling with a key issue that he could soon face again during his potential 2024 bid for the White House: how to not alienate Donald Trump’s base. “Is there any issue upon which you disagree with President Trump?” DeSantis was asked by Florida Rep. Matt …

From the editorial board of the Orlando Sentinel: The best that can be said about Friday’s finish of the 2023 legislative session is that it has ended. Senators and representatives packed up and headed home, where most can no longer do more damage to Florida citizens. But the misery will continue as Gov. Ron DeSantis gleefully signs into law the …

“First, the big issue with Disney was they exercised a lot of political influence in this town. And they tried to fight us on things like parents’ rights and things that are really important to the people of Florida. “We beat them on that. We signed a parents’ rights bill and we’ve expanded protections and we’ve done a lot of …

ABC News reports: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving more aggressively toward making his 2024 presidential campaign official, with sources telling ABC News the governor’s team is leaning toward skipping the launch of an exploratory committee altogether and is instead expected to launch a full presidential campaign next month. DeSantis will enter the race with just months to go until …

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports: The 2023 hurricane season officially begins on June 1, and Arlene sits at the top of this year’s list of storm names. The National Hurricane Center moves through an alphabetical list throughout the season. Though hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30, storms can form at any time. It is not uncommon for …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis wasted no time signing a bill into law that allows the board he chose to oversee Disney World’s sprawling 25,000-acre domain to ignore development agreements approved by the previous board handpicked by the entertainment giant. DeSantis signed the bill (SB 1604) on Friday, a day after the Senate approved it. Sarasota Sen. Joe …

The Associated Press reports: Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton lashed out Thursday at anti-LGBTQ measures enacted by Florida lawmakers and ripped the state’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law with a reference to oppression seen in Saudi Arabia. “It’s not good at all,” Hamilton said ahead of F1’s highly anticipated race in suburban Miami this weekend. “I stand by those …

ABC News reports: Florida mayors across the state are speaking out in support of LGBTQ rights in light of several bills targeting the community that have been passed by the state legislature and are heading to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis. At least eight mayors from Orlando, Miami Beach, Tampa, Tallahassee and more have signed the pledge in support …

Florida Politics reports: The Legislature has passed a bill seeking to retroactively invalidate Disney’s agreement with its outgoing board — a contract now at the center of an ongoing civil lawsuit. Senators approved SB 1604 with a 27-13 vote Thursday evening. The bill is seeking to roll back an agreement Disney made with its old Reedy Creek Improvement Board in …

The New Republic reports: The Florida legislature passed a bill Thursday that will let the state take transgender minors away from their families if they are receiving gender-affirming care. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 26–13, mainly along party lines, and the House shortly after by a vote of 83–28, again along party lines. The measure now …

The Tallahassee Democrat reports: After five days of behind-the-scenes drama and deliberations, jurors found former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum not guilty of lying to the FBI about a “Hamilton” ticket and other gifts he got from undercover FBI agents in New York. They deadlocked on the most serious charges against Gillum, the 2018 Democratic nominee for governor, and his co-defendant, …

Florida Politics reports: A proposal to return the minimum gun-buying age to 18 is officially dead this year. The House in April passed a bill (HB 1543) on a 69-36 vote that would have reduced the purchase age for rifles and long guns. But no such legislation was ever filed in the Senate, and the clock has run out on …

CNN reports: Florida lawmakers have passed an array of new restrictions on groups that register voters – an action that voting rights experts say could make it harder for people of color in the state to register and participate in future elections. The measures are part of a sweeping elections bill that now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. Several key …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Nearing the end of a legislative session filled with debates about transgender issues, Florida lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at requiring people to use bathrooms that line up with their sex assigned at birth. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 26-12 to approve the bill (HB 1521), with the House following a short time later by …

Florida Politics reports: House members voted 82-33 along party lines for SB 170, a controversial measure that since its introduction last year has put advocates for local governance and home rule on edge. The bill is titled “Local Ordinances,” and that’s its target. The bill, which would largely go into effect Oct. 1 after receiving Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, would …

Climate Wire reports: The Gulf Coast insurance crisis has hit a new low as two state-chartered insurance associations are being forced to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars for the first time in three decades to pay the hurricane claims of insolvent insurers. Borrowing in Florida and Louisiana could reach a combined $1.35 billion and will be repaid largely by …

CNN reports: The FBI on Tuesday arrested a Florida man accused of setting off an “explosive device” in the US Capitol tunnel during the attack on January 6, 2021. In one of the most violent scenes of the Capitol riot, a line of police officers protected an entrance to the building against violent rioters who used poles, bats, fists, stolen …

The Advocate reports: A Florida GOP lawmaker representing one of the highest concentrations of LGBTQ+ constituents in the state has faced repeated calls for his resignation. Florida Rep. Fabian Basabe, a Miami Beach Republican, endured an April of scandal and accusations, one that arguably reached a climax with LGBTQ+ activists chanting “shame” as he participated in a Pride parade. That …

Politico reports: Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature agreed on Tuesday to shield the publicly-funded travel records of Gov. Ron DeSantis, giving his administration a way to block inquiries from the media and political opponents ahead of an expected run for president. The far-reaching bill would not only apply to DeSantis’ future movements but also could be used retroactively to deny access to …

Florida Politics reports: Insurers and providers would have the right to refuse health care that is at odds with their moral religious or ethical beliefs under a bill (SB 1580) the House has passed by an 84-34 vote. Advocates for gay, transgender and women’s health care worry that the bill gives physicians and payors legal protections to discriminate against patients. …