The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill 78-29 on Thursday that would mandate state agencies, school boards, and charter schools to update geographic and instructional materials from the “Gulf of Mexico” to the "Gulf of America." Rep. Juan Porras (R-Miami) sponsored the bill (HB 549). Rep. Porras explained his bill on the chamber floor. […]
The Senate Committee on Approprations recently advanced a bill 18-0 to the chamber floor that would create alternative pathways for prosecuting defendants with mental illnesses. Sen. Jennifer Bradey (R-Fleming Island) championed SB 168, also known as the Tristan Murphy Act. Rep. Nan Cobb (R-Eustis) is sponsoring the House version of the bill (HB 1207). Tristan […]
The Senate Committee on Appropriations recently advanced a bill 18-0 to the chamber floor that would expand Florida's anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) law to include academic institutions and non-profit organizations participating in boycotts against Israel. Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) filed the Senate bill (SB 1678). Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach) filed a House […]
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, a Progressive Democrat with a long history in local political ranks, recently announced her candidacy to be the next mayor of the City of Miami. While officially nonpartisan, the mayoral race now has a clear ideological edge with Higgins bringing her Democratic brand front and center. So who is Commissioner […]
The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill 78-27 on Thursday that would amend state statues to replace all mentions of “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America,” aligning Florida law with the federal government's designation begun by the Trump administration. Reps. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) and Meg Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) sponsored the bill […]
The Florida Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced a bill Wednesday to the chamber floor, as well as the implementing bill and conforming bills, associated with a balanced budget for the impending 2025-2026 fiscal year. Sen. Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater), who chairs the committee, provided details of SB 2500 in a press release. The proposed budget includes several […]
The House Student Academy Success Subcommittee forwarded a bill 12-4 on Tuesday that would increase transparency surrounding letter grades earned by Florida schools to a more traditional 'A' through 'F' scale. Rep. Susan Valdes (R-Tampa) explained her bill (HB 1483) to the committee. "The purpose of this bill is to provide truth and transparency to […]
The Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy advanced a bill Tuesday to the chamber floor that would increase school safety protocols by expanding oversight of security personnel and tighten campus security requirements to safeguard students and faculty. Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) sponsored the bill (SB 1470). Sen. Burgess detailed his reasoning for the bill in a […]
It might not have gotten as much publicity as Congressional District 1 on Florida's Panhandle, but Nathan Boyles beat out seven other Republican candidates in the House District 3 Republican primary election on Tuesday night. HD 3 includes Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County on the Florida Panhandle. According to unofficial results, Boyles led with about […]
Republican Brian Hodgers squeaked past Bob White and Terry Cronin to secure the House District 32 GOP special primary nomination on Tuesday night. "Congratulations Brian Hodgers on securing the Republican nomination for Florida House District 32. On June 10th we will bring home a huge VICTORY!" the Republican Party of Florida said. According to unofficial […]
Republican Debbie Mayfield cruised to victory in the Senate District 19 Republican primary over three other GOP candidates on Tuesday night. According to unofficial results, Debbie Mayfield secured over 60% of the vote. She will now face Democrat Vance Ahrens in the SD 19 special general election on June 10. Mark Lightner III followed Mayfield […]
Donate Life Florida proudly announced its first-ever statewide organ donor registration initiative on Monday as more than 5,000 Floridians await hopeful life-saving transplants. The announcement comes during April's National Donate Life Month. Donate Life Florida's initiative seeks to increase the number of Floridians who become registered donors of organs, tissues, and eyes. “Life is such […]
The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced a bill on Monday that would strengthen mental health care in Florida by allowing psychiatric nurses to practice autonomously without barriers. Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) explained his bill (HB 883) to the committee. "The current law allows for advanced practice registered nurses to engage in […]
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried is ironically pitching Republicans to vote for the Democratic candidate ahead of the 1st Congressional District special election on Tuesday. "Now I know that most of you probably voted for Donald Trump. But you certainly didn't vote to have your VA benefits cut, veterans being fired from the administration, […]
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections advanced a bill 8-0 on Monday that would require agents of foreign countries of concern and foreign-supported political organizations to disclose their “identity, affiliations, financial transactions, and political activities" with the Florida Division of Elections. Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) presented his bill (SB 766) to the committee. Rep. […]
President Donald Trump is making one final push to Florida voters to help get Republican Randy Fine across the finish line on Tuesday in Florida's 6th Congressional District. "America First Patriot Randy Fine is running to represent the Wonderful People of Florida’s 6th Congressional District! A highly successful, Harvard educated businessman, and greatly respected State […]
A bill by Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo would allow law enforcement authorities to impound Floridians' cars if they recklessly speed on the roads. Sen. Pizzo is pushing SB 1782, which penalizes drivers going 50 miles per hour or more above the speed limit. The bill also knocks drivers going 100 miles or more while […]
The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill 38-0 on Wednesday that would eliminate the previously proposed later academic start times for middle and high schools set to take effect beginning in 2026. Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) sponsored the bill (SB 296) in the Senate. Sen. Bradley explained her bill and reasons for the change […]
