SINE DIE!
The final week of the Legislative Session has come and gone, and with it a series of scraps as Lawmakers rushed to pass their last-minute bills. Sine Die officially came at 2:27 PM on Friday, marked by the signature hanky-drop from the Capitol's sergeants, signifying session is over—and a flurry of bill signing by the Governor will fully commence.
The $117.46 billion state budget was finalized and passed Friday morning, crucially including allocations for landmark issues in Florida, such as housing programs and Everglades restoration.
The Sadowski Coalition – a nonpartisan collection of more than 40 statewide organizations –applauded the governor, stating, "Governor DeSantis, who included full funding in his fiscal year 2024-25 budget recommendations, has been an unwavering advocate of housing, and we look forward to him signing this budget.”
The Everglades Trust and the Everglades Foundation both released statements touting the $740 million guarantee for Everglades restoration. “These critical investments mean that we can keep moving the needle forward on Everglades restoration, which is vital to Florida’s water-based tourism economy and the environment that supports it," the Trust's CEO Anna Upton said.
“Thank you to our legislative leaders – Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner – who have continued the forward progress on restoration with this high level of funding in the budget," the Foundation's CEO Eric Eikenberg agreed.
From stripper ages to sexual violence compensation to social media protections for minors, a series of bills have begun their transition into law as they sit on the Governor's desk, awaiting the final pen stroke granting them final legal authority.
Beyond his bill-signing duties, DeSantis announced his commitment to keeping Miami Beach free from lawlessness this spring break, sending law enforcement south to go toe-to-toe with unruly college kids...
As a final goodbye, this last installment of the Lounge for the 2024 Legislative Session makes sure to hit on all of the hard-hitting legislation in the Session's grand finale week...
On a Pregnancy Resource Website:
Sen. Lori Berman: "We're going to be putting together a website that is going to be an alternative to abortions, even though abortions are legal and safe here in the state of Florida."
Sen. Erin Grall: "I always find it fascinating that everything that we talk about turns into abortion when we're here to talk about pregnancy and parenting and all of the services that we provide as a state."
On the New Social Media Bill:
Rep. Tyler Sirois: "I think that this product is a superior product in terms of protecting our kids from these harmful platforms and these features."
Rep. Anna Eskamani: "I don't think we should spend more public dollars on lawsuits in this state where we know these bills are inherently unconstitutional."
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The Florida Legislature has passed a revamped social media ban for minors following the Governor's veto of its old form, though critics believe that constitutionally, the bill is doomed to fail...READ MORE
DeSantis Deploying Law Enforcement to Combat Spring Breakers
When you think of Spring Break, you think of South Florida. However, a grim atmosphere has recently followed Spring Break in the Sunshine State. In an attempt to curb lawlessness, lawmakers are enforcing...READ MORE
Dreamgirl Nightmare? Florida to Raise Stripper Age to 21—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—In a last-minute move in the final week of session, the Florida Senate altered an anti-human trafficking bill to raise the stripper age from 18 to 21, making Democrats worry this...
Torture, Rape Victims of Horror Reform School to Receive Financial Compensation—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Boys who were tortured and raped at a now-shuttered reformatory school will each receive up to $50,000 in restitution due to a new bill passed...
Volunteer School Chaplains Bill Faces Fears of Animal Sacrifices, Devilish Preachers—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida public schools will soon have their doors open wide for religious officials of all denominations to provide counseling, even—Democrats worry...
DeSantis-Ally and Moms For Liberty Co-Founder's Confirmation Rejected by the Florida Senate—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—In a rare break from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the Republican-led Senate has refused to confirm DeSantis-ally and Moms for Liberty co-founder, Tina Descovich, to the state ethics commission...
Abortion Debate Erupts Over Proposed Pregnancy Resource Website—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—The abortion debate continues to run rampant through the halls of the Florida Capitol, most recently winding its way into a bill compiling state-sanctioned...
Lawmaker Branded as a 'Racist' Accuses Dems of Trying to Ban Books—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—A Republican Lawmaker accused of racism for saying that slaves were paid has turned the spotlight on Democrats, claiming that liberals want to ban books that...
'Y'all Like Strip Clubs So I Don't Understand!': Stripper Age Will be Raised to 21—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—On the last day of the Florida Session, the Legislature has decreed that strip clubs can no longer employ dancers under 21, due to a Republican-led bill...
Revamped Social Media Ban for Minors Flies Past Senate Floor—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Legislature's second attempt at social media regulations for children has passed the Senate Floor, providing for increased parental rights...
Govo Venture Partners General Partner Jonathan Kilman Attends Pitch Day at the Capitol —By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Jonathan Kilman, general partner of Winter Park, Florida-based Govo Venture Partners, attended the recent Pitch Day at the Capitol, an event hosted by the Florida Department of Commerce...
