Cyberbullying Bill On Its Way To Gov. Scott
In the wake of social media and technology, viral bullying has become a serious issue. Now a bill devised to discipline cyberbullies is one step closer to implementation.
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In the wake of social media and technology, viral bullying has become a serious issue. Now a bill devised to discipline cyberbullies is one step closer to implementation.
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – A House bill aimed at keeping people with mental illness from getting their hands on guns is on its way to Governor Rick Scott's desk. The bill (HB 1355), which was supported by gun rights advocates, was unanimously approved in the Senate on Tuesday. The measure easily cleared the House earlier. The measure seeks to close a loophole to guard against gun purchases by people with mental illness. It deals with people who voluntarily admit themselves for treatment, then check out. At that point, they are able to obtain weapons. Under the bill, their names would be put into state and national databases to prevent them from buying guns. The bill has emerged as the most prominent gun-related bill to come up during the 60-day legislative session that wraps up Friday.
Florida lawmakers sealed an agreement on a $74 billion budget deal late Sunday for the fiscal year that begins July 1, locking down language on $480 million in teacher pay raises, a new formula for paying hospitals under the Medicaid program and a few projects for key lawmakers' districts.
As the final pieces of the state budget fell into place on Saturday, state House and Senate negotiators struck a deal to give state employees a raise of at least $1,000.
With a week left in the legislative session Governor Rick Scott might start twisting some political arms until some action is taken on his top priorities.
Before the speculation can even get out of hand, Florida Senator Bill Nelson said Friday he will not launch a gubernatorial bid in 2014.
Negotiators in the Florida House and Senate are trying to work out a compromise deal that would keep the federal Medicaid money in President Barack Obama's healthcare overahaul law in place while not expanding Medicaid to the level the law originally suggested.
While one in 10 air traffic controllers have been forced to take furlough days to help balance the federal budget, so far, Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale International Airport have avoided any lengthy delays through Monday morning.
Florida's sweeping education bill is being signed into law Monday by Gov. Rick Scott. The bill changes tough graduation standards, while also setting the stage for the University of Florida to take the lead in online education in the state.
Gov. Rick Scott will get the $480 million he wanted for education pay raises. But barring a last-minute change of heart by legislative negotiators, he will not get an across-the-board, $2,500 increase for classroom teachers.
The Florida Arcade Association estimates that 150 adult arcades across the state have voluntarily closed their doors since Gov. Rick Scott signed a law last week intended to close all strip-center gaming parlors.
Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday that will allow optometrists to prescribe oral medications, ending a long-running lobbying battle about the issue.
The Florida House of Representatives' appropriations committee has pushed ahead with a smaller state-funded health insurance plan for Florida's needy rather than embrace a fully federally-funded Medicaid expansion.
Florida's unemployment rate dropped for a second-straight month to 7.5 percent which was the lowest the rate has been since October 2008 when it was 7.4 percent.
The Florida House passed and sent to the governor on Wednesday a bill requiring that animal shelters and animal control agencies keep more records on euthanasia and make them available to the public.
Florida lawmakers sent Gov. Rick Scott a far-reaching education bill that undoes a much-lauded bill from three years ago.
Protesters carrying signs that read "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and other spewing similar hatred will no longer be allowed near funerals.
Some might question Tim Tebow's greatness on the field, but his greatness off the field is being recognized by Gov. Rick Scott.
With little fanfare, Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill that prohibits gaming centers also known as "internet cafes" which will shutdown the industry that critics have likened to "storefront casinos."
One of the longest-serving inmates on Florida's death row is scheduled to be executed Wednesday, 32 years after he kidnapped and murdered a 10-year-old girl who was riding her bike to school after a dentist appointment.
Former Florida A&M band members are pleading not guilty to increased charges of manslaughter related to the death of drum major Robert Champion.
Former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll spoke out Thursday about her alleged involvement in an illegal gambling operation.
The state's Internet cafés are one vote away from being shut down.
Florida House and Senate committees will cast their initial vote Wednesday on their competing budget proposals.
Set against the back drop of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting and the death of Trayvon Martin, a pair of Democrats tried to drum up support Tuesday among their colleagues for gun-control legislation which has stalled during this legislative session.
