Florida's Latest News

“Budget full of tough decisions” passes Florida Senate

The Senate unanimously passed its budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year yesterday, but not before lengthy discussion of one area that is seeing significant cuts — healthcare, primarily in cuts to hospital funding and the Healthy Start program.

The Senate budget totals $95 billion, leaving $5 billion in state reserves. The budget does not include the more than $10 billion in anticipated non-recurring federal pandemic relief funds, which are currently under review and will be addressed as the Senate works with the Florida House of Representatives to pass a final budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Under the Senate budget, hospitals take the largest hit with a proposed $251.2 million reduction to inpatient and outpatient base Medicaid rates, impacting all hospitals.

Let cruise ships sail, DeSantis demands in a lawsuit against CDC, Biden administration

Florida sued the federal government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, demanding they allow cruise ships to sail from U.S. ports immediately.

“Today, Florida’s fighting back,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “We don’t believe the federal government has the right to mothball a major industry for over a year based on very little evidence and very little data. I think we have a good chance for success.”

DeSantis revealed the legal action Thursday at PortMiami with state Attorney General Ashley Moody. She said the state filed the lawsuit against the CDC, Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services ahead of the press conference.

Wilton Simpson sends outline to state senators of proposed changes to Florida’s gaming scene

Senate President Wilton Simpson is teeing up a late gaming push, releasing a memo on Wednesday that details how he wants to alter gaming regulations in the state.

In the memo sent out to his colleagues, Simpson outlined blueprints for how they will attempt to breathe life into the ongoing gaming saga, which may or may not include a new agreement with the Seminole Tribe. Governor Ron DeSantis has been in talks with the Tribe, hoping that negotiations would lead to a new agreement that would lead to significant additional revenue for the state.

“As you know, for the last several months, the Senate has been working closely with Governor DeSantis to update Florida’s Compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and to find new ways to strengthen the State’s relationship with existing pari-mutuel operators,” Simpson said. “While ongoing negotiations with the Seminole Tribe have been productive and will continue, as we move into the final weeks of session, I would like to move forward with committee review of two key issues unrelated to the Compact.”

Bill that could limit Bright Futures funding clears Florida Senate

Despite an outcry from opponents warning that guaranteed Bright Futures scholarship funding could be upended, the Senate on Thursday passed a measure that would tie aid amounts to money set aside in each year’s state budget.

The proposal (SB 86), sponsored by Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, passed the Republican-controlled Senate in a 22-18 vote largely along party lines.

Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, joined Democrats in voting against the bill. A House version of the bill has not been filed.

After it emerged as one of the most controversial education bills of the legislative session, Baxley scaled back the measure. Initially, the bill sought to make Bright Futures eligibility contingent on students selecting degree programs likely to lead to employment, spurring heavy opposition.