Florida says no to $320 million in federal emissions funding
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue has turned down $320 million in federal money aimed at reducing tailpipe emissions, arguing federal transportation officials are overstepping their authority in the program.
Marsy’s Law doesn’t protect anyone’s name, including law enforcement, Florida Supreme Court rules
A Florida constitutional amendment may protect a victim of crime’s information, but that does not include their name and that goes for law enforcement too, the Florida Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday.
Florida seeks go-ahead to enforce law aimed at drag shows
After suffering a setback at the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration on Friday told a federal appeals court that a law aimed at preventing children from attending drag shows is tailored to the state's "unquestioned interest in protecting children from exposure to obscenity."
Student tests, teaching certificates, recess could see changes in Florida bills
Three bills in the Florida Legislature would make some major changes to education regulations if passed, including changes to how school districts hire teachers, how student tests affect graduation, how school districts set recess, and more.
Appeals court weighs fight over fight over Florida’s congressional districts
An appeals court Tuesday took up a battle about the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature last year, with some judges appearing skeptical of a challenge filed by voting rights groups.
Florida settles lawsuit over COVID data, agrees to provide weekly stats to the public
Florida will provide COVID-19 data to the public again after a former Democratic state representative settled a lawsuit with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration over the decision two years ago to stop sharing information on the virus’ spread online.
Full-time teachers get $65K base salaries in Florida lawmaker’s new bill
The minimum base salary for full-time classroom teachers and certified prekindergarten teachers in Florida will be no less than $65,000 starting next July, subsidized by the state’s education department itself; that is, if a bill filed last month in the House were to reach past the governor’s desk.
Florida abortion rights at stake as state Supreme Court takes up challenge to GOP-led restrictions
The Florida Supreme Court must decide whether to overrule broad abortion rights protections provided for decades under the state constitution and instead uphold a law signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that bans the procedure in most cases after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Biden approves disaster declaration for 7 Florida counties hit hard by Hurricane Idalia
President Joe Biden on Thursday approved a federal disaster declaration to help state and local recovery efforts after the Category 3 Hurricane Idalia slammed into North Florida’s Big Bend region and caused widespread damage.
DeSantis requests federal disaster declaration for 25 Florida counties after Idalia
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday said the state has requested a federal disaster declaration for 25 counties that were under a hurricane warning while Idalia pressed into the Big Bend as a major storm the day prior.
Judge is asked to block Florida law making it a crime to drive people who are in the US illegally
Civil rights groups are asking a federal judge to stop Florida officials from enforcing a section of a new state immigration law that criminalizes transporting someone who has entered the United States unlawfully.
Appeals court weighs lawmaker subpoenas in ‘Stop WOKE Act’ legal fight
A federal appeals court sounded skeptical Tuesday of arguments that 14 current and former Florida lawmakers should be required to turn over documents in a legal fight about a 2022 state law that would restrict the way race-related concepts can be taught in universities.