TALLAHASSEE --- A little more than a year ago, the idea of allowing armed teachers in classrooms nearly scuttled school-safety legislation hurriedly crafted in the wake of the horrific mass shooting at a Parkland high school that left 17 students and staff members dead.
The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved the House version of the bill, which would carry fines and penalties for local governments that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who is one of three Northwest Florida lawmakers behind the proposal (SB 1610), said removing the dollar figure will keep the bill moving. The $315 million amount was more than the House or Senate included in their budget proposals for Hurricane Michael relief, though negotiations on a final spending plan are expected to start next week.
A political ally of the president, DeSantis said he will “be raising Cain” if drilling plans advance that include Florida waters, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex, a military testing range that stretches from the Florida Panhandle to Key West.
The bill has drawn controversy because it would expand a school “guardian” program to allow trained classroom teachers to be armed. Also during the floor session, the Senate will consider a bill (SB 7068), sponsored by Infrastructure and Security Chairman Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, that would lead to three major toll-road projects.
Bill sponsor Jayer Williamson, R-Pace, said the measure bill would help protect private information of consumers as they apply for life-insurance or long-term care coverage. Applicants are already required to provide health information when seeking such coverage, but supporters of the bill say genetic testing information should be shielded.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a rewrite of the proposal to give more flexibility to school districts that want to participate in the controversial guardian program. Other changes Thursday included an expansion of mental-health services in schools that would assist students with suicidal intentions, trauma and violence.
Speaking to reporters, Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson stopped short of apologizing but insisted that she is not anti-Semitic and blamed her “no” vote on a “very confusing” presentation of the bill, which has widespread support from Jewish legislators and organizations.
The lawsuits also accuse the Broward Sheriff's Office of failing to try to stop the gunman during the Parkland massacre.
Noting that Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez ran the search for the new surgeon general, DeSantis said his office worked with the University of Florida, which did its own vetting.
The South Florida appeals court said it was certifying the case as “one which requires immediate resolution by the Florida Supreme Court
“This is one of the more difficult budget years I’ve ever experienced,” Senate President Bill Galvano said.
"This is not a woman issue alone. This is a societal issue," House sponsor Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, said. "We are also talking about the right of the fathers as well as the impact they have on their daughters’ decision-making."
While the House bill would set what many consider a low cap of 10 percent on the level of THC in whole-flower products for smoking,
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Tuesday approved paying more than $15 million to buy and preserve nearly 5,700 acres of land in South Florida
Perry told the News Service of Florida on Monday that the delay could make it "more difficult" to get the bill across the finish line during the 2019 legislative session, which ends May 3
“This office has concluded in prior opinions that the Legislature has the ‘exclusive prerogative’ to regulate the levy and collection of the local business tax
I’m proud of the work our state continues to do for the people of Northwest Florida,” the governor said in the release.
