A proposal that would allow concealed-weapon permit holders to bring handguns onto college and university campuses moved forward Wednesday in the state House. The measure is one of several proposals that would expand the rights of people who have concealed-weapons licenses. Leaders of the state university system have opposed the campus-carry proposal.
Read More »DCF, Senators Eye Ways To Bolster Child Protection
A total of 369 child deaths have been called in to the state abuse hotline so far in 2015. That means Florida is on track to have roughly as many child deaths this year as it did before passing a sweeping child-welfare reform law in 2014.
Read More »Open-Carry Gun Bill Bangs Into Business Concerns
Several lawmakers in both parties and an influential business group expressed concerns about the potential impact of the proposal on private property rights.
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 »House, Senate Still Stuck in Health Debate
Florida legislators began a special session Monday to pass a budget for the year beginning July 1. But the House and Senate are still in a stalemate over whether to adopt a Senate proposal use Medicaid expansion money from the Affordable Care Act to help lower-income Floridians purchase private health insurance.
Read More »Gov. Rick Scott’s Hospital Commission To Meet For First Time
Gov. Rick Scott wants the federal government to extend hospital funds .The panel, which met for the first time Wednesday, is beginning its work as the governor becomes increasingly antagonistic toward hospitals that receive taxpayer funds.
Read More »Lopez-Cantera ‘Strongly Considering’ Senate Bid
Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera publicly confirmed Saturday that he is considering running for U.S. Senate in 2016. He announced his possible candidacy at the executive board meeting during the Republican Party of Florida's quarterly meeting at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando.
Read More »Congressional Hearing Planned On Lip Showdown
A congressional committee will hold a hearing on Gov. Rick Scott's showdown with the federal government over health-care funding. However, that meeting could come too late to help close a potential $2.2 billion hole in the state budget.
Read More »Students Rally To Pledge ‘Solidarity’ After Campus Assaults
UF graduate student Nikki Steinberger speaking to students about the safety of walking with others. A plea for solidarity and strength rang out at the No Gator Walks Alone rally held in the Plaza of Americas at the University of Florida on Monday night. The event, which was planned in …
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