The Point

The Point, May 1, 2023: Lawmakers approve change to "resign-to-run" law

WUFT | By WUFT News

Published May 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

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The stories near you

• WUFT News: Gainesville city commissioners seek clarity about Ironwood Golf Course finances. "After years of substantial operational losses and an audit from the state, the Gainesville City Commission wants more transparency about the Ironwood Golf Course."

• WUFT News: Schools request more foster grandparents as program approaches 50th anniversary. "The program, which began in July 1973, is for low-income people aged 55 or over, providing them opportunities to assist children with 'special or exceptional needs' on a case-by-case basis in local schools, daycares and related settings."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Rex and Brody Act unanimously passes Legislature. "Following unanimous support in the Florida House and Senate, the Rex and Brody Act will continue to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for final approval."

• The Alligator: Sasse fires top UF official. "After more than nine years with UF, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Charlie Lane was fired by UF President Ben Sasse — his first major leadership change since taking office in February."

• WUFT News: How Oak Hall School’s lacrosse team has become one of the region’s best. "The lacrosse team only had one win in two years before Montes took over the program, and he transformed the team into a national powerhouse."

• WUFT News: Eighth Circuit Court Judge Sean Brewer sworn in at investiture ceremony. "A former assistant state attorney for the eighth and fifth judicial circuits, Brewer has a legal career spanning nearly 25 years."

• Florida Politics: Budget conference: Jax UF campus will get $75M in state funds. "The University of Florida’s (UF) Jacksonville campus will get $75 million in state money, with the Senate meeting the House offer Saturday night, coming up from a much more modest $5 million."

• WUFT News: Acrosstown Repertory Theatre makes a comeback. "Nine months after losing its home, a Gainesville theater company has embarked on a new adventure as a nomadic troupe. The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre is touring around the city and raising money for a new building in the process."

• WUFT News: Photos: Skaters compete at 2023 Possum Creek Skate Jam. "The competition consisted of multiple divisions of varying skill levels all leading up to the highest division, the sponsor division."

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Around the state

• News Service of Florida: Florida lawmakers pass elections bill, setting up change to the ‘resign-to-run’ law. "The Florida House on Friday gave final approval to a major elections bill that would place additional restrictions on voter-registration groups and help clear the way for Gov. Ron DeSantis to potentially run for president in 2024."

• WLRN-Miami: Florida bill would require patients to share their immigration status. "The bill, which is awaiting a floor vote, would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to change their admission or registration forms. It would mean more than 320 Florida hospitals would need to include a question asking patients whether they're United States citizens, or whether they are lawfully or not lawfully in the country."

• NPR: Critics say Florida's historic monuments are under threat with a new bill. "Florida lawmakers want to weaken historic preservation in coastal areas, worried about old buildings in natural disasters. Critics worry that developers will destroy iconic towns and neighborhoods."

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Florida lawmakers passes security deposit alternative bill for renters. "A bill (HB 133) that lets landlords charge fees instead of security deposits heads to the governor’s desk Friday. Senators voted to pass the bill 31-7."

• News Service of Florida: Florida Senate votes to block DEI spending in higher education. "The Republican-dominated Senate voted 27-12 along near-party lines to pass the bill (SB 266) despite arguments by Democrats that it could hurt the reputation of Florida’s higher education system."

• WMFE-Orlando: Permanent tax-free diapers, incontinence products a bipartisan beacon during legislative session. "Rep. Anna Eskamani said the bipartisan legislation now awaiting the governor's signature includes diapers, incontinence undergarments, incontinence pads, and incontinence liners."

• WFSU-Tallahassee: Jury deliberations in Andrew Gillum's trial are set to resume. "Jurors began deliberations after closing arguments ended on Friday afternoon in the federal trial against the two defendants, who pleaded guilty last year after they were first indicted."

• Florida Politics: Hemp bill with no THC caps passes Senate, looks likely to become law. "A hemp bill that once imposed onerous THC caps and a controversial ban on synthetic derived cannabinoids was changed in the House, and now the Senate version matches that bill."