Category: Florida Legislature

DeSantis-Drawn Districts Map Begets Big GOP Boost in Congress

Florida’s newly drawn congressional map, which has not yet been signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, has already resulted at least one lawsuit but is likely to be in place for the state’s August primaries and November general elections. The Florida Senate on Wednesday, and House on Thursday, approved DeSantis’ proposed state congressional district map after…


DeSantis Will Call Back Lawmakers for Second Special Session to Address Property Insurance Problems

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced April 18 that he will call state lawmakers back for a second special session in May “to bring some sanity and stabilize” the property insurance market. In the past several years property insurance rates have soared in Florida and some owners have had their policies canceled, or have had…


Parental Rights in Education Bill Goes to DeSantis’s Desk

PUNTA GORDA, Florida–The Florida Senate voted on March 8 to advance the Parental Rights in Education bill, which limits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. The next stop is the governor’s desk. Although Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not said he would sign the bill, he has signaled approval by saying he thinks…


Florida Lawmakers Want Students to Take Financial Literacy Course Before Graduating High School

Florida lawmakers unanimously approved a bill on Feb. 23 that would require high school students to take and pass a financial literacy course before graduating. House Bill 1115 would add the course requirement starting as early as the 2022-2023 school year. It could become a condition for getting their diplomas. Currently, students are required to…


Floridians Demand DeSantis Veto Bill Extending Near-Immunity to Hospitals Treating COVID-19 Patients

A growing contingent of people concerned about how hospitals treat COVID-19 is calling on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a bill the Republican party is quickly pushing through the state’s legislature. The Republican-led effort seeks to extend a law that grants near-immunity to healthcare providers for their treatment of COVID-19, as long as they…


Floridians Demand DeSantis Veto Bill Extending Immunity to Hospitals Treating COVID-19 Patients

A growing contingent of people concerned about how hospitals treat COVID-19 is calling on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a bill the Republican party is quickly pushing through the state’s legislature. The Republican-led effort seeks to extend a law that grants near-immunity to healthcare providers for their treatment of COVID-19, as long as they…


Florida Legislators Vote to Extend Protections for Health Care Providers

Florida legislators voted Feb. 10 to extend a law making it difficult to sue health care providers for issues related to COVID-19. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis in what looks likely to be its last step in becoming a law.  Florida is one of 29 states across the country…


DeSantis Touts Florida’s Freedom, Prosperity in Annual Speech

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave the Florida Legislature a snapshot of the year’s events, tragedies, and victories, and provided the framework for the future in his State of the State speech on Jan. 11. DeSantis told lawmakers that during the past year, with their help, Florida became the “freest state in the United States.” “Florida has…


DeSantis Uses Annual Speech to Underline What Makes Florida Different From Most Other States

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave the Florida Legislature a snapshot of the year’s events, tragedies, and victories, and provided the framework for the future in his State of the State speech on Jan. 11. DeSantis told lawmakers that during the past year, with their help, Florida became the “freest state in the United States.” “Florida has…


Push to Make Florida School Board Candidates Declare a Party

When Florida lawmakers return to Tallahassee, in January, they will be presented with a bill that will require those running in local school board elections to select a political party. If the bill, introduced by Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters, passes, it will be put to voters next year as a constitutional amendment. In the…