Florida’s contentious medical marijuana legislation is headed to Gov. Rick Scott. The Florida Senate approved a House version of a bill (HB 307) that expands the use of the Right to Try Act, allowing medical marijuana use for patients with terminal conditions. A similar measure, which allows all strengths and …
Read More »Gov. Scott Signs Florida’s Death Penalty System Changes Into Law
Governor Rick Scott is moving forward with an overhaul of Florida's death penalty law. The bill passed by the Florida Legislature requires at least 10 of 12 jurors to recommend the death penalty for it to be implemented.
Read More »Florida Bill Would Limit Funding For Resettlement of Refugees
The Prevention of Acts of War bill passed 9-6 in the Florida House State Affairs Committee Thursday, prohibiting any state-funded entity from helping certain foreign refugees resettle in the state.
Read More »Fee Issue Fuels Public-Records Fight
A bill was approved by the House panel that gives judges discretion in deciding whether to award attorney fees in public-records lawsuits. The bill was created to stop people who flood governments with public records requests just so they can file lawsuits, but may decrease the state's level of government transparency.
Read More »Florida’s Orange Crop In “Free Fall”
The outlook for production of Florida oranges, the state's signature crop, continues to drop. For the second consecutive month, the Florida orange-harvest forecast for the 2015-2016 growing season was adjusted down Wednesday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Read More »Pot Back In Political Spotlight In Florida
A Quinnipiac University poll last month found that nearly 90 percent of Florida voters support allowing adults to use medical marijuana. Numerous other surveys in Florida and across the country consistently show that a majority of voters endorse medical marijuana for sick and dying patients. Voters next November will almost certainly have the chance to decide whether Florida should legalize medical marijuana.
Read More »Florida’s Senators Consider Removing Confederate Flag From State Senate Seal
The Senate Rules Committee will meet Oct. 8 to begin re-examining the current emblem of the chamber. Under Senate rules, the seal includes "a fan of the five flags which have flown over Florida" --- those of the United States, Confederate States of America, France, Great Britain and Spain.
Read More »Campus Gun Bills Advance In House And Senate
TALLAHASSEE — A proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to pack heat while hitting the books on college and university campuses notched it first two successes Wednesday. The legislation (SB 68 and HB 4001), which won support from criminal-justice committees in the House and Senate, is widely opposed …
Read More »Taxi Companies Sue State Over Uber, Lyft
Taxi companies in Tallahassee and Broward County are suing the state over app-based transportation services, alleging that Florida officials aren’t requiring Uber and Lyft to prove that the way they calculate trip distances — and charges — is accurate. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services certifies taxi drivers’ meters …
Read More »Drone Technology Helps Florida Farmers Cut Costs
Florida farmers are beginning to use drones for farming technique as legislation slowly passes allowing them to use the new technology. With it, farmers are able to cut costs and the amount of time it takes to do basic tasks.
Read More »