Florida's Latest News

Will lawmakers omit Gov. DeSantis’ insurance tax cut plan from tax package?

As insurance premiums have shot up in recent years, lawmakers have addressed it by limiting lawsuits and payouts for lawyers, a change they said would need time to settle in the market before homeowners saw relief in rates.

But Gov. Ron DeSantis had one plan in his budget recommendation that would immediately reduce rates, if only for a time: a one-year elimination of insurance premium taxes. It is projected to save homeowners $431 million.

However, when the House released its tax cut package (HB 7073) last week, the insurance tax cut wasn’t included. The size of the cut likely made it hard to include, since the overall bill reduces taxes by $728.1 million over two years.

But there are logistical hurdles as well. House Speaker Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, said eliminating the tax for just one year could pressure future legislators to continue to cut the tax, potentially giving up a large amount of revenue. Then there’s the issue of mandating rate relief for homeowners.

Florida kids speak out against proposed social media restrictions

A proposed ban on social media accounts would target children under 16, and many of them say they aren’t willing to lose access. Some children in Florida say they aren’t happy with state lawmakers’ efforts to kick them off popular social media platforms.

“I have practically all the social medias: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and a few others. I use it every single day. I think it’s amazing,” said Noah Raymond, 12, a seventh-grade student at Creekside Middle School in Volusia County. “Banning it would just be stupid.”

Facebook, Instagram and TikTok would likely become off-limits for Raymond and many other children across the state under a proposed ban on social media accounts for anyone under 16. The measure (HB 1) is awaiting a floor vote in the Senate, after passing in the House with bipartisan support this month.

“People are going to rebel. There’s going to be massive petitions. There’s going to be massive protests,” Raymond said. “It’s going to be practically an all-out war with all the teenagers.”

Florida closes in on banning delta-8 hemp products

Florida lawmakers are just a step away from banning delta-8 products, like edible gummies, vapes and joints that can create a psychoactive high in its users.

Florida senators on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would exclude synthetic or naturally occurring delta-8 and delta-10 from being legally sold as hemp products. An identical House bill is also headed toward a full chamber vote.

Here’s what you need to know about the proposals. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids, or compounds. The most well-known of those is delta-9, which is what marijuana users typically think of as THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, and is the component that creates a “high” sensation for marijuana users.

Delta-8, as well as delta-10, are other naturally occurring THC compounds similar to delta-9. Delta-8 can also create a psychoactive effect, but is typically less potent than delta-9.

Florida bill would give limited college aid to high school dropouts

A bill that would allow people who have dropped out of high school to get tuition waivers to pursue diplomas and workforce credentials at Florida colleges got unanimous backing Wednesday from a key House committee.

But some members of the House Education & Employment Committee raised concerns and questioned whether, as one Republican put it, the bill would give high school dropouts a “better deal” than students who graduate.

The bill (HB 7051) would create the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education, or GATE, program, which would be administered by the state Department of Education. The program would be available to people ages 16 to 21 who have dropped out of high school.

Colleges and career centers would be required to waive 100% of registration, tuition, laboratory and exam fees for people who enroll through the GATE program after other federal and state aid is applied.