Florida's Latest News

Newsom's pestering of 'sixth grade bully' DeSantis seeps into presidential race

DeSantis is campaigning for president in 2024, and instead of "punching down" in a fight with a governor, it serves him better to spar with candidates in his path to the White House: Trump and President Biden, according to Nick Iarossi, a Tallahassee lobbyist and informal advisor to DeSantis.

"Newsom has been someone that's like a gnat or mosquito in your face just trying to annoy you and get attention to distract from what's really going on in his own state," Iarossi said.

Iarossi contends that DeSantis' response made sense to try to fire up GOP voters in California on the eve of a fundraising trip to the Golden State. Iarossi said DeSantis raised more money in California than in any other state, including Florida, in the 24 hours after his campaign launched.

Iarossi said the juxtaposition of California and Florida allows DeSantis, in one example, to show why his conservative governing style works. It's also a smarter play for DeSantis than the direct back and forth with Newsom.

"I don't expect there to be any focus whatsoever on Gavin Newsom going forward," Iarossi said. "There's not really a reason to get dragged into a fight with a governor from another state when you're looking to be elected the next president of the United States."

Though Newsom isn't in the 2024 presidential contest, it would be "game on" if he jumps in, Iarossi said.

"You have two governors of two large, powerful states, who have complete opposite political philosophies and leadership styles," Iarossi said. "It would be a battle about the future of America and which direction we're going in."

DeSantis plans to roll out his border security plan during campaign event in Texas

Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis will unveil a new proposed policy to manage the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, his campaign said Friday, debuting what is sure to be a closely scrutinized position of high importance to Republican voters.

The border proposal is expected to be the first of a series of policy announcements from the DeSantis campaign in the coming weeks, as the governor begins to pivot from speeches focused on his record in Florida to his broader vision for the presidency.

But few of his proposals will attract as much attention as his plan to manage the country’s border with Mexico, which has seen an influx of migrants since the end of the coronavirus pandemic and start of President Joe Biden’s time in office. Republicans rank the issue as one of the most pressing challenges facing the country, according to polls.

The DeSantis campaign on Friday did not reveal details about what would be included in the border proposal.

KidCare expansion signed, giving Florida families a chance to 'economically prosper'

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a bill that increases the income threshold to qualify for subsidized coverage under the Florida KidCare program.

Under KidCare, families who do not qualify for Medicaid pay $15 or $20 a month in premiums to insure children.

Previously, subsidized coverage was available to families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $60,000 for a family of four. The new law increases that threshold to 300 percent, or $90,000 for a family of four.

“By increasing access to affordable child health care, more working families can count on KidCare to help them climb the ladder toward financial independence,” said Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, board chair for Florida Healthy Kids Corp., one of the KidCare partners covering ages 5 to 17.

“Parents will no longer have to choose between a pay raise and losing affordable health coverage for their kids, giving them the freedom to work toward bigger, better futures for their families," Haridopolos wrote in a social media post.

Gov. DeSantis signs bill placing restrictions on legal ads

Law firms in Florida won’t be able to create and show advertisements presented as a “medical alert” or a similar public service announcement after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill imposing restrictions on ads for legal services.

The bill (HB 1205) was one of 10 signed by DeSantis on Friday and was pushed by big business groups who have bemoaned ads by law firms they deem misleading.

Under the measure, which takes effect July 1, legal service ads can’t be presented as a medical alert, health alert, drug alert or a PSA. Ads also can’t show state or federal government logos or insignia in a way that suggests their affiliation with the law firm. The use of the word “recall” when referring to a product that hasn’t been recalled is also banned under the bill.

Ads that deal with a faulty prescription drug or medical device will also be required to include a statement declaring that it is a “paid advertisement for legal services” at the beginning of the spot, as well as the statement, “Consult your physician before making any decision regarding prescribed medication or medical treatment.”

The bill clarifies that law firms and lawyers that make the ads are responsible for any violations, not the media outlets that air or run the ads. Violations are deemed deceptive and unfair trade practices under the new law.