WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The initiative was one of DeSantis’ top priorities during this year’s legislative session, which ended in March.
Read More »Florida’s New Teachers Will Make $47,500 To Start After Governor Signs Pay Raise Bill
Lawmakers To Vote Thursday On $93.2 Billion Budget
Florida lawmakers will vote Thursday on a record $93.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes spending $500 million to increase teacher pay and bolstering reserves as the novel coronavirus threatens state revenues.
Read More »Weekly Roundup: And They’re Off!
State lawmakers this week kicked off the 2020 legislative session with an action-packed schedule that featured speeches from Republican leaders, early tension over high-profile issues and a key Florida Supreme Court ruling.
Read More »Senate Moves Quickly To Thwart Sunscreen Bans
The Florida Senate is moving quickly to prevent towns like Key West from banning the sale of sunscreens that contain potentially coral reef harming chemicals.
Read More »Senate Panel Back ‘Best And Brightest’ Repeal
The proposed move to abandon the “Best and Brightest” bonus program is a first step by the Legislature in considering Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ambitious teacher-compensation plans, which include a new $300 million bonus program.
Read More »Florida House Looks For Ways To Boost Teacher Pay
Rep. Chris Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who chairs the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, said his panel has been asked by House leaders to find about $500 million in potential cuts as part of a broader budget exercise. But that exercise also could help determine if a teacher-pay package would be viable.
Read More »Financial Disclosure Reports Show Florida Legislators’ Latest Net Worths
The disclosures show assets and liabilities for public office holders, and in many cases are very detailed.
Read More »Florida Senate Signs Off On Smokable Marijuana, With Keith Perry Voting In Opposition
Bowing to a demand by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a measure that would allow patients to smoke medical marijuana if doctors deem it the proper treatment.
Read More »DeSantis Poised To Make Marijuana Changes
With one of his chief advisers tweeting the hashtag “NoSmokeIsAJoke,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will “very soon” announce changes in how the state is carrying out a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana.
Read More »Which North Central Florida Lawmakers’ 2018 Bills Are Now Law?
A list of the laws and projects that legislators representing local counties were able to get through the Florida legislature in 2018.
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