Education

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Gov. Ron DeSantis has just received 15 new bills to be signed into law, including a controversial workers' union measure and new requirements for prospective Florida State Guardsmen. Propelled through and out of the legislature by Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, SB 1746 alters a union dues law passed last year—also sponsored by Ingoglia. Both […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Florida public schools will soon have their doors open wide for religious officials of all denominations to provide counseling, even—Democrats worry—Satanists and Santeria sacrifices. If signed into law, school chaplains would be available beginning this Fall. The measure provides for volunteer clergymen in schools, charging these religious officials with providing mental health and spiritual counseling […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Florida schools are one step closer to implementing instruction on the history of, and the "increasing threat" of, communism, due to a bill barreling through the Florida Legislature. "27-30 percent of our children right now believe that communism is something that they'd like to try in this nation. If that doesn't bother you, I'm […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Tuesday kicked off Children's Day at the Capitol, with the Progidy Cultural Arts Program for at-risk youth visiting Tallahassee in hopes of earning $3.5 million to continue diversion programs for low-income and struggling families. Partnered with Aetna Health, the Progidy Cultural Arts Program has been around for 23 years and serves eight counties. It's […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill allowing volunteer religious officials in public schools passed its final Senate Committee Monday afternoon, drawing criticisms over untrained professionals providing counseling to children. "This bill authorizes each school district to adopt a policy to authorize volunteer school chaplains to provide support services and programs to students with parental consent," said Republican Sen. […]

Social Media Ban Puts Parental Rights in Crosshairs The past week at the Capitol has been a flurry of activity, with Lawmakers rushing to turn their bills into Florida law. With only a week and a half left in the 2024 Legislative Session, big bills related to Jeffrey Epstein and—in the most controversial news of […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida House moved Thursday afternoon to allow school districts to employ volunteer religious officials as counselors in public schools, dividing Democrats over allowing these clergymen to provide mental health advice to students. Co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels and Republican Rep. Stan McClain, HB 931 provides for volunteer chaplains in schools, defined as […]

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has been criticized by Democrats nation-wide for being authoritarian when it comes to education.  Now the governor is attempting to debunk book banning accusations, calling it a "hoax." Governor DeSantis has now called on the legislature to amend current laws that allow people to abuse standards which are said to be […]

The controversial legislative measure that passed in the Florida House of Representatives that calls for an all-out Social Media ban for children under the age of 16, and is now being taken up in the Florida Senate, could be dead on arrival as a new poll shows that the overwhelming majority of parents in Florida […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A new bill would add an anti-communism curriculum to Florida schools, creating a communist task force of Governor-appointed officials. The bill faced Democratic resistance, with liberal lawmakers calling it divisive and "hurtful". HB 1349, co-sponsored by Republican House Reps. Chuck Brannan and James Buchanan, require an "age-appropriate" curriculum on the history of, and growing […]

The 2024 Legislative Session is now almost halfway completed, closing out the fifth week of the 9-week period. Tempers are wearing thin as we draw closer to the end, with a Republican expressing his "disgust" over Democrats storming out of a bill hearing. Other controversial issues this week included abortion rights, "identity politics" in the […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A Republican-led education bill prohibits teacher prep courses from including a curriculum on "identity politics" or that "systemic racism, sexism, or oppression" is inherent in U.S. institutions. Proposed by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, SB 1372 blocks theories of social, political, and economic inequity from being taught in educator prep courses. The sponsor said the bill […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Top Republican Lawmaker Sen. Jay Collins has proposed a slew of hard-hitting bills this session, covering issues ranging from foster homes to communism to veterans. In an exclusive interview with the Floridian, he outlined his wide-ranging agenda for 2024's legislative season. "I am unequivocally pro-life," Collins, who is adopted, said of his child permanency […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill banning corporal punishment for students with disabilities passed the House Education Quality Subcommittee unanimously, surprising residents and representatives alike in that corporal punishment still exists within some public schools. "While most counties have banned the practice, corporal punishment is still allowed in 19 counties in Florida," HB 439's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Katherine […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Keiser University kicked off its "Keiser Days at the Capitol" with a Wednesday morning press conference. Joined by Republican Rep. Randy Fine, the college's leaders discussed higher education, nursing shortages, and athletic success. "My message is simply that we live in a great state," Belinda Keiser, the Vice Chancellor of the University, said, "If […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Florida's State Board of Education announced last week their imposition of "strict regulations" on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives on college campuses, leading the James Madison Institute, a libertarian non-profit think tank, to laud the state's efforts. The board's ruling will prohibit taxpayer funds going toward DEI programs and replaces the "Principles of Sociology" […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A new education bill would prohibit teachers' prep classes from including a curriculum on the existence of systemic racism, sexism, or oppression in Florida institutions. The bill would also prevent "identity politics" and any "distortion of historical events". "I am looking for the best environment for our students so they can be as successful […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—As Lawmakers enter the third week of the Legislative Session, with it comes a slew of hard-hitting bills, sure to ignite debate in both chambers. This week's agenda covers sex reassignment insurance coverage, the banning of identity politics in teacher preparation courses, drunk driving, and much more. Licenses and Drunk Driving Monday will see […]