Florida leaders argue over holding special session to strengthen state abortion laws
Rep. Anthony Sabatini, a Republican who represents Lake Countyโs District 32 in the Florida House of Representatives, is calling for a special legislative session after the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion case was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court Friday.
FDOT โaggressively exploringโ how to speed up adding wrong-way detection system to I-4 Express lanes
In a statement to News 6 Tuesday afternoon, FDOT spokesperson Jessica Ottaviano said the state transportation agency is now "aggressively exploring avenues" to accelerate the installation of a wrong-way vehicle detection system on all direct-connect ramps that feed traffic to and from I-4 Express lanes to and from local roads.
Florida House panel gives initial nod to controversial abortion proposal
Despite fierce objections from Democrats who argued the proposal is unconstitutional, a Florida House panel on Wednesday approved a controversial bill that would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
State partnering with faith-based community to bring vaccines into underserved areas
ORLANDO, Fla. โ As part of an effort to get people in underserved communities access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. State Reps. Travaris McCurdy and Anna Eskamani worked with the state to get 600 people vaccinated on Saturday. โWeโve done dozens and dozens and dozens of vaccine sites at churches, predominantly African American churches, since the beginning of January,โ DeSantis said during a news conference Friday in Ocala. โWeโre going to the people instead of putting the burden on people to go to these other sites,โ McCurdy said. The state is hosting a vaccination event on Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church Youth Life Center in Orlando.
Record budget, Big Tech regulation among big issues lawmakers will face during Floridaโs legislative session
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Florida lawmakers are getting ready to descend on Tallahassee to debate policy, pass new laws and put together a state budget. Perhaps the biggest hurdle lawmakers will face during the 60-day legislative session is the record $96.6 billion budget put forth by Gov. News 6 political expert Dr. Jim Clark joined anchor Justin Warmoth on โThe Weekly on ClickOrlando.comโ to break down what to expect over the next two months. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, (D) District 47, also appeared on the program to explain what her legislative priorities are this year and whether sheโs considering a run for governor in 2022. Floridaโs legislative session kicks off Tuesday, March 2.
Florida Republicans proposing changes to Bright Futures, student financial aid
Students whose majors arenโt on the list would receive less funding from the Bright Futures Scholarship. Bright Futures students are currently eligible for 100% or 75% of tuition but under this bill that would depend on their education track. โI went to UCF on Bright Futures and wouldnโt be here today without it,โ said Eskamani. โWe need to protect and enhance Bright Futures not cut it.โAlong with the changes to Bright Futures, the proposal would also create two new financial aid programs. AdThe Florida Endeavor Scholarship would benefit students without a high school diploma who wish to enroll in a certificate or high school equivalency program.
GOP's jobless benefit plan could mean delays, states warn
A Republican proposal to slash the $600 weekly benefit boost for those left jobless because of the coronavirus shutdown could result in weeks or even months of delayed payments in some states. Washington was among the first states to implement the $600 benefit boost. John Bel Edwards said he doesnโt believe any statesโ unemployment systems could handle a variable federal benefit tied to a personโs previous earnings. He has encouraged Louisianaโs congressional delegation to back a flat unemployment benefit instead. โThe Republican proposal on unemployment benefits, simply put, is unworkable.
Single mom forced to leave son with family as her unemployment benefits stop amid COVID-19 pandemic
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Lindsey Bates lost her job as a server with an Orlando IHOP in early March and like thousands of other unemployed workers in Florida and across the country her chase for unemployment benefits has become a never-ending cycle of delays and disappointment. Her records show she has already received two payments from the PEUC but she told News 6 she received one payment on her debit card and nothing after that. Eskamani said she has helped people from the Panhandle to the Keyes and that it usually takes two to threes weeks to have the funds sent. If you would like to help Lindsey Bates and her son or you have an unemployment issue email us at makeendsmeet@wkmg.com. If you would like to file an escalation form through Rep. Eskamani, go to this link.
Florida announces new rent and mortgage assistance
Ron DeSantis announced last week that $240 million will go to rental assistance for affordable housing tenants, along with rent and mortgage assistance. Price said half of the funding, $120 million, will go toward helping tenants in their portfolio around the state, who have been struggling to make rent. Price told New 6, theres still a lot that needs to be worked out, like how far back the rental assistance will go, and how far forward it will go. The other $120 million, Price said, will go to local housing offices. But, as of now, he said they are still figuring out how the money for local governments will be distributed.
Outrage as Floridians navigate glitches on unemployment site
Many who filed on the state's outdated website in March have been waiting five or six weeks with their claim stuck in pending status. However, the state's website has a large disclaimer noting that requirement has been waived due to the pandemic. However, some of those rejected, if not most of them, will be eligible for $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits. Under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, gig workers and other independent contractors like Uber drivers and massage therapists who may not be eligible for state unemployment benefits are nonetheless eligible for the federal benefits. She knows she doesnโt qualify for the state benefits, but meets the criteria for the federal virus assistance.
Drive-thru coronavirus testing site opens at UCF
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ A drive-thru coronavirus testing site is now open at the University of Central Florida, according to school officials. UCF officials said the site is for members of the community who have an appointment. The testing site has 7,000 tests on hand, but Aventus CEO Oliver Dawoud said it only has the capacity to perform 250 tests per day. [RELATED: Coronavirus: Everything you need to know about UCFโs new drive-thru testing site]The site will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until 250 tests have been performed. UCF credits state Rep. Anna Eskamani for bringing together the public-private partnership to offer more access to COVID-19 testing in Central Florida.