THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE — After a late entrance into the race, Republican incumbent Marco Rubio holds double-digit leads over two Democratic challengers seeking a key U.S. Senate seat in Florida, a poll released Thursday shows. Rubio leads Congressman Patrick Murphy, who is supported by the White House and many Democratic leaders, by …
Read More »Scott Pitches Septic Replacement Amid Algae Woes
Money to reduce the use of septic systems will be in Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget for next year, as the state grapples with swirling green algae coating waterways in parts of the Treasure Coast. However, incoming Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said that while cleaning runoff and replacing septic …
Read More »Special Session Failure Unlikely To End Gun Debate
After their call for a special legislative session failed, Florida Democrats say they will continue to seek "common-sense" regulations on the sales of weapons to people on federal watch lists.
Read More »Millionaires Add Up In Legislature
The 2016 Florida Legislature appears to have been the richest in recent history. And a couple of incoming freshmen, recently elected without opposition, could help make the 2017 class even wealthier. The makeup of the 160 members of the 2016 Legislature, considered a "part-time" lawmaking body where people earn about $30,000 a year, featured at least 55 millionaires --- three more than in the prior session, according to newly filed financial-disclosure reports. Also, the paperwork for seven members wasn't available Tuesday morning on the Commission on Ethics website.
Read More »Florida’s Budget, New Laws Begin July 1
Starting Friday, clergy who don't want to marry same-sex couples will have state backing for their beliefs, high school students will have more choice over where they play sports or study, and local governments won't be able to regulate the use of Styrofoam containers. Those are among the 159 new laws that will go into effect in Florida on July 1. The laws range from the latest record-setting state budget to a public records exemption for taped, mixed-martial arts bouts.
Read More »Dems Force Legislative Poll On Post-Pulse Special Session
Florida Democrats had little trouble rounding up enough members to call for a vote on whether to hold a special session dealing with gun control as a reaction to last month’s mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. However, it may be nearly impossible over the next week to …
Read More »Florida Confirms First Case of Micocephaly From Zika
The first case of zika-born microcephaly has been confirmed by the Florida Department of Health.
Read More »Impact of Abortion Ruling on Florida Law Unclear
Florida abortion providers are breathing sighs of relief following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Monday striking down a Texas law that would have greatly limited access to legal abortion in that state.
Read More »Races Take Shape As Qualifying Closes
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE— Sporting an orange hat that proclaimed “Let Irv Serve,” state Rep. Irv Slosberg pointed his smart phone’s video camera at a sign in the Division of Elections office that proclaimed “Qualifying is closed.” “Slosberg is qualified,” the Boca Raton Democrat repeated, until it was pointed out that the …
Read More »Wilcox Drops Senate Bid, Backs Rubio
Orlando defense contractor Todd Wilcox dropped out of the race for the U.S. Senate on Friday, leaving only a single high-profile challenger in the path of Florida incumbent U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s bid for the Republican nomination Rubio’s main opponent — in what could be one of the nation’s most-watched …
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