Florida lawmakers approve $115 billion budget
The new budget lacks some of the top priorities of legislative leaders and Gov. DeSantis.
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The new budget lacks some of the top priorities of legislative leaders and Gov. DeSantis.
There is now a criminal investigation into Gov.Ron DeSantis' decision to divert $10 million from a Medicaid settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation, money that eventually ended up in a political action committee he controlled.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez described a proposal by Gov. Ron DeSantis to send $1,000 checks to homeowners as an "irresponsible idea."
DeSantis has proposed providing one-time, $1,000 property-tax rebates this year to homeowners as a prelude to asking voters in 2026 to cut property taxes.
On Friday evening, the Florida Legislature formally passed the Tristin Murphy Act, the most comprehensive reform to mental health inside the criminal justice system in decades.
House Bill 593, or The Pam Rock Act, was named after a mail carrier who was mauled to death in Putnam County in 2022.
The program, launched by the first lady, is rooted in the Department of Children and Families and operates across several agencies.
The Florida House overwhelmingly approved a plan that aims to ease financial strains on condominium owners.
Senate Rules Chairwoman Kathleen Passidomo said Monday her committee won't take up a House measure that would lower the minimum age to 18.
Development such as golf courses, pickleball courts and luxury lodges would be prohibited at Florida state parks under legislation passed Wednesday by the state House.
The Florida House unanimously approved a bill that would expand a law that prohibits the use of wireless devices at schools during "instructional time."
Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted the House and suggested the inquiry was intended to derail a possible gubernatorial run by his wife.
New proposal includes a one-time credit on annual vehicle registration fees and extending the current freeze on cellphone taxes.
The inquiry into DeSantis administration spending has raised questions about potentially missing state-owned vehicles, agency leaders earning six-figure salaries while living in other states.
They have a little more than three weeks to mesh their spending goals and reach an agreement on tax cuts.
There was widespread opposition last year to the plan dubbed the "Great Outdoors Initiative" by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a $5.43 billion package dominated by House Speaker Daniel Perez' proposal to lower the state's sales-tax rate from 6% to 5.25%.
Under the proposal, the state's sales-tax rate would go from from 6% to 5.25%
Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Chairwoman Michelle Salzman told her subcommittee that the biggest goal of the bill is "public safety."
The House will consider the bill on Thursday during a floor session that also will include numerous other issues.
House Speaker Daniel Perez said the sales tax proposal is tied to efforts to reduce state agency spending.
The House passed repeal bills in 2023 and 2024, but they did not get through the Senate.
The bill aims to give condo owners a smoother financial path without compromising safety.
The Florida House on Wednesday approved repealing a law that prevents people under age 21 from buying rifles and other long guns. It's unclear if the state Senate will take up the issue.
A Senate bill that would prevent insurers from using artificial intelligence as the sole basis for denying claims.
