WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Lawmakers will iron out differences between the two chambers’ budget plans before wrapping up the 2021 legislative session on April 30.
Read More »Florida Senate Scales Back Prison Closure Plan
Recovering From COVID-19, New Florida Spending Plan Includes Estimated $2 Billion Increase In Tax Revenue
As they piece together a new spending plan, state lawmakers can anticipate $2 billion more in tax revenue than previously forecast, months after facing the prospects of a major budget shortfall.
Read More »Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Political Bias Surveys In Florida Universities
Florida lawmakers Wednesday passed a controversial bill to require Florida’s public universities to ask students and faculty to complete yearly surveys to identify political bias in college classrooms. It passed the Senate in a 23-15 vote and awaits the governor's signature.
Read More »Rural Leaders Worry About ‘Devastating’ Prison Closures
A plan to shut down up to four Florida state prisons is drawing concern from officials in rural areas, where some rely on correctional facilities for jobs.
Read More »Marion County Starts Vaccinating Jail Inmates Against COVID-19
It makes them among the first inmates in Florida to receive the shot.
Read More »Florida Budget Discussion Begins With House, Senate Plans About $2B Apart
While the state expects a $10 billion lift from federal coronavirus relief funds, how to use that money remains under debate.
Read More »UF To Provide COVID-19 Vaccines To Campus Community
Hope is on the horizon as more students and faculty return to the University of Florida campus starting this summer and fall.
Read More »Groups Rally In Orlando As Anti-Riot Bill ‘HB 1’ Passes Florida House
As House Bill 1 “Combating Public Disorder” passed the Florida House of Representatives Friday, activist groups rallied in Orlando to protest the legislation.
Read More »Spending Plans Point To ‘Lean Year’ In Florida Higher Education
House and Senate budget leaders are eyeing cuts to higher education spending, but early recommendations would go about it in different ways.
Read More »April 5: The Day All Floridians 18 And Older Can Get A COVID-19 Vaccine, DeSantis Says
Starting March 29, the eligibility requirement for getting the vaccine will drop from 50 to 40, the governor said in a news release. The age requirement dropped from 60 to 50 on Monday.
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