Senators back solar tariffs, oppose prairie bird safeguards
The Senate has approved a measure that would reinstate tariffs on solar panel imports from several Southeast Asian countries after President Joe Biden paused them in a bid to boost solar installations in the U.S. Lawmakers also approved a separate plan late Wednesday to undo federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, a rare grouse that’s found in parts of the Midwest and Southwest, including one of the country’s most prolific oil and gas fields.
Texas bill proposes up to $25K for armed school 'sentinels'
Texas schools could offer up to $25,000 stipends to teachers and staff who accept the dual role of being armed campus “sentinels” with specialized mental health training under a proposal that state lawmakers advanced Tuesday in response to the Uvalde classroom shooting.
‘Shame on them!’ Families of Pine Hills shooting victims accuse DeSantis, Scott of exploiting deaths
The families of two of the three victims in a string of Pine Hills shootings last week talked Thursday about their loved ones publicly for the first time, but also to criticize Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott for attacking the Orange-Osceola state attorney in a “coordinated effort to paint a false narrative.”
Immigration advocates urge Florida’s senators to support, vote for Dream Act
With only three weeks left for the current congress to act, Central Florida immigration reform advocates, including faith leaders, urged Florida senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott Tuesday to act now for Dream Act legislation.
By boat and jet ski, volunteers assist in Hurricane Ian rescue efforts
As authorities in Florida try to reach people who have been trapped by floodwaters or isolated on barrier islands since Hurricane Ian came ashore last week, concerned members of the public have been springing into action to aid the official rescue efforts.
Nazis show up outside Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa
A Holocaust center in Florida and others condemned the presence of protesters holding Nazi flags and posters with antisemitic imagery outside a convention of young conservative activists that drew as speakers President Donald Trump, Florida Gov, Ron DeSantis and several Republican U.S. senators.
Florida lawmakers introduce bill to address baby formula shortage
Several U.S. senators introduced a new bill Monday called the “Urgently Feeding America’s Babies Act,” which would direct President Joe Biden and his administration to invoke the Defense Production Act in response to the ongoing baby formula shortage.
Lake Okeechobee water release could curb toxic algae bloom
Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency in seven Florida counties to combat the potentially toxic green algae bloom. While the South Florida Water Management District supported the decision to release water to the St. Lucie Estuary, spokesman Randy Smith said they will closely monitor salinity levels. With rainy season approaching in May, South Florida is still soggy from Tropical Storm Eta last year. If they go wrong, everything goes wrong,” said South Florida Water Management District board member Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch in a February meeting. The Army Corps makes weekly decisions on lake levels, and Perry hopes the water releases end before the April oyster spawning.
More states on board, senators introduce bill (again) to make daylight saving time year round
Rubio and other senators have been trying to pass the federal legislation needed to allow Florida’s 2018 law to actually change the state to daylight saving time. If the bill passes it would apply to the states who currently participate in daylight saving time, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. Rubio and Scott introduced legislation last year citing the coronavirus pandemic as one reason why daylight saving time would be beneficial. The push to make daylight saving time permanent across the country does have support beyond politicians. AdDr. Daliah Wachs, a family medicine physician, says that one-hour time difference of daylight saving causes a spike in car crashes, workplace injuries, heart issues, fertility issues and depression.
With more states on board, Florida senators introduce bill (again) to make daylight saving time year round
ORLANDO, Fla. – Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, is trying again to make daylight saving time permanent across the country after reintroducing the Sunshine Protection Act. If the bill passes it would apply to the states who currently participate in daylight saving time, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. “Studies have shown many benefits of a year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is why the Florida legislature voted to make it permanent in 2018. Rubio and Scott introduced legislation last year citing the coronavirus pandemic as one reason why daylight saving time would be beneficial. The push to make daylight saving time permanent across the country does have support beyond politicians.
With more states on board, senators introduce bill (again) to make daylight saving time year round
Rubio and other senators have been trying to pass the federal legislation needed to allow Florida’s 2018 law to actually change the state to daylight saving time. If the bill passes it would apply to the states who currently participate in daylight saving time, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. Rubio and Scott introduced legislation last year citing the coronavirus pandemic as one reason why daylight saving time would be beneficial. The push to make daylight saving time permanent across the country does have support beyond politicians. AdDr. Daliah Wachs, a family medicine physician, says that one-hour time difference of daylight saving causes a spike in car crashes, workplace injuries, heart issues, fertility issues and depression.
Florida GOP outlines $100M+ plan to tackle climate change
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Low-lying Florida, surrounded by the sea, is one of the most vulnerable U.S. states to ocean level rise driven by climate change. House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, said at a news conference that measures in the upcoming session of the Legislature would address flooding and sea level rise. They include:$100 million a year from 2022-23 to deal with sea level rise and flooding. A grant program providing money to local governments for the costs of planning and dealing with sea level rise. We must adapt to rising seas but, we also must lower the heat and rising temperatures causing seas to rise,” she said.
Gov. DeSantis among Florida lawmakers speaking at CPAC in Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – When the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, comes to Orange County, Florida’s governor will be making an appearance. Ron DeSantis now appears among the long list of speakers for the conservative event set to take place at the Hyatt Regency near the Orange County Convention Center Feb. 25-28. [TRENDING: Plan to track COVID-19 variant | NASA prepares to land Mars rover | REWATCH: Town hall on race, obstacles, opportunities]AdDeSantis is not the only GOP Florida lawmaker set to speak at CPAC. CPAC, which has been running since 1974, is normally held in the Washington, D.C. area. This will be the first time the convention will be held in Central Florida.
Senators introduce school safety act nearly 3 years after Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting
Sorrow is reverberating across the country Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, as Americans joined a Florida community in remembering the 17 lives lost three years ago in the Parkland school shooting massacre. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)Three U.S. senators have introduced a school safety bill named for two of the students killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting almost three years ago on Feb. 14. Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, of Florida, and Sen. Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, introduced the Luke and Alex School Safety Act of 2021. “The Luke and Alex School Safety Act will ensure that the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse remains a resource our schools can access in the future. AdJohnson introduced the Luke and Alex School Safety Act of 2019 to create the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse.
Donor backlash fuels GOP alarm about Senate fundraising
The GOP already faces a difficult Senate map in 2022, when 14 Democratic-held seats and 20 Republican ones will be on the ballot. That includes at least two open seats that Republicans will be defending because of the retirements of GOP Sens. One of those lawmakers, Florida Sen. Rick Scott, is the new chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a post that makes him the public face of the Senate Republican fundraising efforts. But two senior Republican strategists involved in Senate races say the cumulative effect of the companies' decisions could have a bigger impact. That puts more pressure on the NRSC and the leading Senate Republican outside group, Senate Leadership Fund, to cover the difference.
Florida adds 24,000 jobless claims as Trump ponders relief bill
Congress passed the long-sought $900 billion COVID-19 relief package this week, teeing it up for action by Trump. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor on Wednesday estimated that another 24,000 first-time jobless claims were filed in Florida last week, close to the state average for more than a month. DeSantis said it could take weeks for the state to fully grasp all of the Florida-related benefits in the package. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor estimated that 24,092 claims were made in Florida the week ending Dec. 19. However, the federal agency initially put the state’s new claims for the week of Dec. 12 at 21,780.
Florida disciplines teacher for threatening to ‘call immigration’ on students
(Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)BOCA RATON, Fla. – A former Florida middle school teacher has been banned from teaching in the state until at least next summer after being accused of making disparaging and anti-immigrant comments to students. The Education Practices Commission suspended the license of Susan Oyer, 54, last week for remarks she made to students at Boca Raton Middle School, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. She worked for the Palm Beach County school district from 1998 until last spring. The district began investigating in October 2019, after Boca Middle School Principal Peter Slack reported that parents were complaining about Oyer’s comments. A district report said students and parents found the teacher's comments “offensive, insulting or embarrassing.”It was not the first time Oyer has been accused of inappropriate comments, the newspaper reported.
US gives Florida wider authority over wetland development
Florida accounts for about a fifth of the country’s wetlands and includes the Everglades, among the state’s most important environmental jewels. “The fact is that Florida’s proposed program to take over wetlands permitting doesn’t comply with federal environmental laws,” she said. Florida becomes the third state to gain broader permitting authority of wetlands under the federal Clean Water Act. Florida's request to gain sole permitting authority was launched under the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis, also a Republican, took on that mantle and earlier this year formally petitioned the federal government to transfer that authority.
Orlando International Airport expects 90,000 passengers to pass through on Sunday after Thanksgiving
[TRENDING: Gov: Vaccine coming to Florida ‘relatively soon’ | CDC: Avoid Thanksgiving travel | Georgia presidential race recount results]Senator Scott released a statement that said in part, “As we approach Thanksgiving, we know this holiday will be different this year. Orlando International Airport said that it expects about 90,000 passengers to pass through on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Airport officials also add there are still flight restrictions for the European Union and parts of Brazil. “Last year, people would start booking for Thanksgiving well in advance because it would be a heavy travel day. If you do gather with family outside of your household for Thanksgiving, the CDC advises people to eat outdoors, keep social distancing, and wear a mask when not eating.
Florida's Sen. Scott has coronavirus, 'very mild symptoms'
Scott, 67, has been quarantining at home all week after coming into contact in Florida on Nov. 13 with someone who subsequently tested positive. Scott, a Republican, said he was “feeling good” despite the mild symptoms and would be working at his home in Naples. “I want to remind everyone to be careful and do the right things to protect yourselves and others,” Scott said in a statement. House members could be regularly tested in the Capitol starting this week, but there is still no testing protocol for senators. The absence Scott and Grassley on Tuesday helped Democrats block the nomination of Judy Shelton, Trump’s controversial pick for the Federal Reserve.
Sen. Rick Scott tests positive for COVID-19
WASHINGTON – Sen. Rick Scott has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a news release from his office. [TRENDING: Gov: Vaccine coming to Florida ‘relatively soon’ | CDC: Avoid Thanksgiving travel | Georgia presidential race recount results]According to the release, Scott tested negative for COVID-19 multiple times since learning of his exposure but received a positive result back Friday from a PCR test he took on Tuesday. I will be working from home in Naples until it is safe for me to return to Washington, D.C. I want to remind everyone to be careful and do the right things to protect yourselves and others. Quarantine if you come in contact with someone positive like I did,” Scott said.
Too soon? Georgia draws next class of White House hopefuls
Georgia would like a few moments of presidential campaign time. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas senator widely viewed as having presidential ambitions, will campaign in central Georgia on Friday. Meanwhile, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley has sent a flurry of fundraising emails coaxing rank-and-file Republicans to bankroll the Georgia runoff campaigns. That popularity makes it politically risky for Republicans with White House ambitions to call out Trump’s falsehoods. On Cotton’s future plans, Colas said, “The senator remains focused on 2020.”For Democrats, there’s less future presidential intrigue to blend into the Georgia campaign.
‘Imma shoot them:’ Florida woman accused of threatening DeSantis, Rubio, Scott
Karen Jones, 55, was arrested at her South Florida home last Saturday. She is facing three charges of making written threats to kill or do bodily harm to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, according to an arrest report. Jones posted on Twitter last week, “DeSantis, Rick Scott and Marco Rubio are looting my state. Imma shoot them," according to the arrest report.
Sen. Rick Scott quarantines again after contact with COVID-19 patient
Sen. Rick Scott announced on Twitter Saturday afternoon that he would be entering self-quarantine because he learned that he recently came into contact with someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19. Scott said he was in contact with the person Friday night after arriving in Florida and later learned that person was infected. [TRENDING: Gregory Edwards video released | SpaceX Crew-1 launch delayed until Sunday | Fatal Orange County crash]The former governor said he took a coronavirus test Saturday morning that came back negative. He added that he has no symptoms but is choosing to quarantine out of an abundance of caution. In March, when the state first began reporting COVID-19 cases, Scott decided to enter self-quarantine after attending an event in Miami with a Brazilian Embassy member who tested positive.
Eta downgraded to tropical storm again as Florida prepares for hit
Residents clear debris from a flooded street in the Driftwood Acres Mobile Home Park, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Davie, Fla. Tropical Storm Eta was squatting off western Cuba on Tuesday after drifting away from South Florida, where it unleashed a deluge that flooded entire neighborhoods and covered the floors of some homes and businesses. Subsequently, a tropical storm warning was issued for the same general area. The storm has been in the Gulf of Mexico since crossing over South Florida on Sunday. Ron DeSantis issued an expanded emergency declaration to include 13 counties along or near the Gulf coast, adding them to South Florida counties.
Supporters rally downtown after projections declare Joe Biden president-elect
ORLANDO, Fla. – Dozens of supporters filled Lake Eola on Saturday afternoon in support of President-elect Joe Biden, after projections from Nevada and Pennsylvania put the former vice president’s ticket over the top. She campaigned for Biden and was vetted for vice president on his ticket. “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have a plan for that. The historic election with Kamala Harris as the first woman vice president, the first African American female vice president just really means America is living up to its promise. This is really what the American dream is all about.”Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
UPDATES: Trump wins Florida; Floridians approve minimum wage increase
LIVE LOOK | Long line forms at Volusia County voting location LIVE LOOK | Long line forms for voting at McInnis Elementary in Volusia County. In Marion County, voters are also set to surpass 2016 total turnout with 72% by 3 p.m. In fact, President Trump made several campaign stops here within the last couple of weeks. pic.twitter.com/qb22CE2U4e — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 3, 202010:08 a.m.More people have voted in Orange County, Florida, this year than in 2016. Florida residents will also get to vote on six state constitutional amendments, including an increase on minimum wage.
Florida researcher questions using signature matching on ballots
He’s also accused of accessing the voter records of Sen. Rick Scott and sports figures Michael Jordan and LeBron James. I don’t know any place that’s using punch cards anymore,” he said. With record-setting numbers of voters casting their ballots by mail, this year, Gilbert said he’s concerned about a growing issue: signatures on those ballots not matching. For example, in Lake County on Wednesday, a record-setting 56,000 voters had already cast their ballots by mail. He said the software is free for election workers to use, but he’s not sure if any are using it yet.
Florida, butt of election jokes, believes system is ready
State leaders eliminated computer punchcard ballots, implemented statewide recount laws and made it easy to cast and process ballots before Election Day. Though there are other scenarios that make elections officials nervous, the computer punch-card ballots that fueled 2000's chaos are buried in history's landfill. Casting valid ballots and processing them is now easier, even before Election Day, and the Legislature has enacted clearer laws governing recounts. If the statewide margin then is within a half-percentage point — likely about 55,000 votes — a machine recount would occur. These voters are notified and have until two days after the election to prove their identity, but many won’t respond.
Senator, correcting himself, says he does not have COVID-19
ORLANDO, Fla. – U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said he misspoke Saturday when he said on national television that he had tested positive for COVID-19. The Republican from Florida tweeted: “I misspoke this morning in my @FoxNews interview. I was tested yesterday for COVID and tested NEGATIVE." A few moments before he misspoke, Scott had said that senators were still doing their jobs. A short time later, Scott’s spokesman, Chris Hartline, tweeted, “For everyone calling and texting right now, Senator Scott misspoke on tv this morning.
NASA needs $3 billion for lunar lander or 2024 Moon mission in jeopardy
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Jim Bridenstine said if an immediate $3 billion is not appropriated for the Human Landing System, NASA’s goal to get back to the Moon by 2024 would be at risk. The lunar lander only received about 20 percent of full funding in a House spending bill passed in July. “NASA has had a history of seeing programs get developed and then canceled,” Bridenstine testified. “Space has generally always been a very bipartisan effort and that’s encouraging and needed now more so than ever,” Dale Ketcham of Space Florida said. “I just want to thank NASA for their commitment to using the private sector to do things.”
Daylight Saving Time: Florida senators say COVID-19 another reason to nix time change
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s U.S. senators, known for introducing legislation on time changes, are pushing to keep the country on Daylight Saving Time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the two senators, the change will help give families stability during the pandemic. “Our government has asked a lot of the American people over the past seven months, and keeping the nation on Daylight Saving Time is just one small step we can take to help ease the burden,” Rubio said. “More daylight in the after school hours is critical to helping families and children endure this challenging school year. However, Congress has yet to pass legislation allowing Florida to have year-round Daylight Saving Time.
Trump drilling reversal could boost coastal GOP senators
COLUMBIA, S.C. With one stroke, President Donald Trumps abrupt reversal on offshore drilling this week has loosened a political vise that was tightening around three Republicans senators running for reelection in coastal states where drilling is widely opposed. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue of Georgia, all Democratic targets. Brian Kemp, another Trump ally, and his Republican predecessor, Nathan Deal, have opposed drilling off the state's 100-mile (160 km) coast. The decision by President Trump to include South Carolina meets the desires of our coastal communities and states leadership, Graham said. I very much appreciate President Trump for listening to our state and delivering for our people.___Ben Nadler in Atlanta contributed to this report.
Florida governor names new director for states employment agency
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. State Rep. Dane Eagle was appointed as executive director of the state's employment agency on Wednesday, a little more than two weeks after barely losing a Republican primary for Congress in a heavily GOP district. The agency was widely criticized for long delays in paying out unemployment benefits after the economy tanked during the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of people waited weeks and sometimes months for benefits from the glitch-ridden unemployment system after suddenly losing work amid the outbreak. But Crist dropped out of the Republican primary, ran as an independent and lost to Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Lawson remained as director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, but management of the unemployment system was given to Department of Management Services Secretary Jonathan Satter.
Beyond November: At GOP convention, there's a 2024 subplot
WASHINGTON Republicans this week are focused squarely on their convention's star, President Donald Trump, and securing his reelection in November. Theres a lot happening behind the scenes already," said Republican strategist Alex Conant, who worked for the 2016 campaign of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Also allotted time slots: Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Donald Trump Jr. "Theres others out there, but nobody else is even close in that stratosphere.Much will depend on whether Trump secures a second term. In her convention speech Monday night, Haley gave an unabashed endorsement of the president while spending time introducing herself to viewers.
Far-right provocateur vs. Florida congresswoman in November
But that didn't stop 27-year-old Laura Loomer from trumpeting her resounding win over five other candidates Tuesday in the Republican primary. According to federal records, Loomer raised $1.1 million for her primary campaign, a hefty sum for an underdog challenger. Frankel, running against a political newcomer in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, received 75,000 votes, or 86% of the 87,000 votes cast. But the same factors that led to her primary win will make a victory in November difficult, he said. In one tweet, she called on her followers to create a “non-Islamic” ride-sharing company because she did not want to support “another Islamic immigrant driver.” Uber and Lyft banned Loomer in 2017.
Unemployment woes a mounting strain on Trump in Florida
She burned through her savings while awaiting financial relief from Florida’s unemployment office. DeSantis has acknowledged that the unemployment system known as CONNECT was like a “jalopy in the Daytona 500” being “left in the dust." “And that relates to management of the system.”Florida's unemployment woes add to the troubles for Trump five months from Election Day. In April, Florida’s unemployment rate hit 12.9%, up from 2.8% in February. “It’s one of those things where once the issue is solved, it’s going to disappear,” said Florida Republican Party chairperson Joe Gruters.
Sen. Rick Scott self-quarantines after possible contact with coronavirus patient
Republican Sen. Rick Scott, of Florida, said Thursday he will voluntarily self-isolate after possibly coming in contact with a person who tested positive for coronavirus. Scott said in a phone interview with News 6 he was at an investment conference when the possible exposure occurred. The Associated Press reported the Brazilian president’s office said a senior official who met President Donald Trump on March 7 has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The senator said he feels fine and his offices in Washington, D.C. and in Florida remain open and operational. As of Thursday afternoon, according to the Florida Department of Health, there were 34 Florida-related coronavirus cases.
Sen. Rick Scott calls for transparency as cruise ship is forced offshore
Passengers right now on board the Regal Princess are sharing a play by play of their long vacation at sea. At a press briefing in Tampa, Florida Sen. Rick Scott said the goal is to have transparency. Scott said he’s met with Vice President Mike Pence and the Florida cruise industry, working to make sure people are safe. Now there is a new warning for Americans: think twice before traveling by cruise ship. “They have kept us up to date on everything, very professional and comforting,” said a Regal Princess passenger.