Florida's Latest News

Lawmakers pass $101.5B budget, adjourn session where DeSantis got a lot of what he sought

Florida lawmakers passed a $101.5 billion budget laden with federal COVID-19 relief cash and ended the 60-day legislative session Friday after sealing several political wins for Gov. Ron DeSantis by passing nearly all of his agenda.

They also passed a tax cut bill, HB 7061, that includes a 10-day sales tax holiday for back-to-school items starting July 31 and a 10-day sales tax holiday on hurricane preparedness items starting May 28.

New this year is a “freedom week” sales tax holiday July 1-7 on tickets to live music, sports, or theater events, entry to a museum or state park or festival.

Legislators reject bill requiring companies to tell customers how they use their data

A landmark proposal to lift the veil on companies that collect and sell the electronic data of their clients died on the final day of the legislative session Friday, despite its being a priority of House Speaker Chris Sprowls.

Significantly modeled off a similar measure in California, HB 969, the Florida Privacy Protection Act, would have imposed new disclosure requirements on companies that collect information from anyone who downloads an app or uses a website.

The measure, which had broad bipartisan support in both chambers, would have required Florida businesses to tell consumers what data they’ve collected about them and how they’re going to use it. But it was vigorously opposed by the largest businesses in Florida, which warned the bill would cost them millions to comply. There were 343 lobbyists hired to lobby the bill, most of whom were attempting to kill it.

Budget, bass, bicycle seats: Florida passes big mix of bills

The Florida Legislature approved bills that will make it more difficult to vote, create tough penalties for violent protests, shield businesses from COVID-19 lawsuits, ban transgenders from girls’ sports and make it more difficult for citizens to change the constitution.

They also passed bills during the 60-day session that ended Friday that deal with bicycle seats, largemouth bass, bestiality, flying squirrels, the delivery of cocktails. They also approved a $101.5 billion state budget.

It was strange session in several ways, not the least of which was the public wasn’t allowed in the Capitol because of the coronavirus pandemic, even though Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis opened up the rest of the state to anyone and everyone. Overall, more than 270 bills were passed including just about all of the priorities of DeSantis and the Republican leadership.

Compelling 60-second ad profiles solidity behind new Seminole Compact

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is out with a new 60-second ad, aiming to rally support behind a new gaming compact with the state.

The ad drops with around two weeks to go before a Special Legislative Session will convene with the aim of finalizing that agreement.

“The Seminole Tribe of Florida has a great story to share with all Floridians. It’s about the Tribe’s longtime partnership with the state and how the new Gaming Compact reinforces the Tribe’s steadfast commitment through a $2.5 billion revenue sharing guarantee over the first five years of the agreement, The Tribe said in a statement. “The people of Florida should know the future is secure and bright for their State and for the Seminole Tribe.”