The Florida Senate passed a bill 37-0 on Tuesday that would set tougher sentencing point multipliers for animal abusers and require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to post the names of convicted animal cruelty offenders on its website. The bill is now greenlit for Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign into law. Sen. Tom Leek […]
The Florida Senate passed a bill 36-0 on Monday that would set penalties for dangerous dogs and their owners after two people were killed in attacks in the state. The bill is cited as the “Pam Rock Act," named after a postal worker who was mauled to death by five dogs as she was delivering […]
The Florida Senate passed a bill 33-3 on Monday that would allow certain correctional probation officers to carry concealed firearms during off-duty hours at the discretion of their superior officers. The bill would also waive the mandatory three-day waiting period for firearm purchases for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and military service […]
Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman gave her first remarks after being elected to replace Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) at the start of today's session, saying in part that her party was "alive and kicking" after the latter said the Florida Democratic Party was "dead." "Today I rise with deep gratitude, a strong sense of […]
Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) put a stake in the Democratic Party in the Sunshine State, saying they have been "soundly defeated" during an appearance on Sunday Morning Features with Maria Bartiromo. Rep. Donalds also credited policies set by Gov. Ron DeSantis for turning Florida bright red during his tenure, which has […]
The Broward County Fraternal Order of Police recently stated that it's standing by Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) despite his decision to leave the Democratic Party and register as an Independent. "Our organization has never based endorsements on political party affiliations. Instead, we prioritize the character, integrity, and actions of individuals - especially their commitment […]
The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill 37-0 on Thursday that would require traditional and charter public schools to be ready and able to administer EpiPens to students going through an allergic reaction before, after, and during school hours. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) filed the bill (SB 1514). He gave the following statement on […]
Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power blasted former Republican turned Democrat David Jolly on Friday as he considers running for Florida governor with his new party. "David Jolly's transition isn't a fresh start - it's a rerun," Power said in a press release. "Like his role model Charlie Crist, Jolly has gone from a failed Republican […]
The Florida Senate passed a bill 37-0 on Thursday that would create excessive speeding penalties for state drivers going 50 mph or more, 100 mph or more while passing or switching lanes, or exceeding the limit by 35 mph or more on non-limited access roads. Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) sponsored the bill (SB 1782). […]
The Florida Senate Democratic Caucus announced on Thursday that Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton) will serve as its new Senate Democratic Leader following the resignation of Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles). Leader Berman issued the following statement on the selection. "I am honored and humbled to have the support of my colleagues to serve as the […]
The Florida Senate passed several bills on Wednesday for Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign, including a repeal of the sale of firearms and ammunition during a state of emergency, and the removal of "deepfake" sexual images from online platforms, among others. Restrictions on Firearms and Ammunition During Emergencies (SB 952) The bill would repeal a […]
Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis celebrated Wednesday after Pensacola Beach updated its sign welcoming travelers to read "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico." "Big shoutout to Pensacola Beach for updating their iconic welcome sign to read “Gulf of America!” Patronis said. This change is in line with @POTUS' Executive Order honoring the spirit of […]
The Florida Senate has passed a bill that would protect consumers by requiring labels on food products containing vaccines and vaccine material and add labeling for specific ingredients in cosmetics. Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) sponsored the bill (SB 196) in the Senate. Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) also cosponsored the legislation. “Thanks to the leadership of […]
Richard Lara is the new city commissioner of Coral Gables after defeating opponent Tom Wells in the city's runoff election on Tuesday night. With all 16 precincts in, Lara earned 55.4% of the vote to Wells' 44.6%. The exact vote total was 4,352 votes for Lara and 3,504 votes for Wells. Technically, this is the […]
A Senate bill that would allow workers to be paid less than the minimum wage appears to have stalled in its latest committee hearing. Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) temporarily postponed the bill (SB 676) in the Senate Rules Committee on Monday. Martin said he was doing so to keep the bill "alive." SB 676 […]
A bipartisan family court reform bill designed to enhance procedures for court-appointed psychologists and strengthen fairness and accountability in family cases is heading to the Senate floor after recently passing in the Florida House of Representatives. Rep. David Borrero (R-Sweetwater) sponsored the bill (HB 901) in the House of Representatives. Sen. Mack Bernard (D-West Palm […]
The House Commerce Committee advanced a bill Tuesday to tighten regulations of hemp consumable THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) products sold in Florida. The hemp THC packaging tends to be appealing to children, causing the change. Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County) sponsored the bill (HB 7029). Rep. Salzman explained the bill and her reasoning to the committee. "Bad […]
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds criticized Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Monday for his recent trip to El Salvador to visit with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national and alleged MS-13 gang member, who was sent out of the United States by the Trump administration despite an immigration court preventing his deportation. "This morning, […]
