Florida's Latest News

Pandemic Session Means Less Pomp, More Circumstances As Lawmakers Grapple With Impact Of COVID-19

The Florida legislative session began Tuesday in a largely-deserted state Capitol amid unprecedented restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

No crowds. No flower baskets on senators' desks. Visitors' galleries were mostly empty and the hallways quiet on Day One. The Senate session opened with a senator, Jeff Brandes, joining his daughter in singing the National Anthem.

The Capitol is more secure than ever, and so tight that former Senate President Mike Haridopolos, now a lobbyist, had trouble getting through a security checkpoint.

But he did, and was one of just two former Senate presidents allowed to be on the Senate floor, as part of a Tallahassee tradition.

Gov. DeSantis slams federal bailout for states that ‘destroyed’ their people

Florida’s Republican Governor issued a last, likely futile protest against a COVID-19 relief bill set to pass the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, addressing media in Zephyrhills, slammed the $1.9 trillion package that has already passed the House as rewarding states that “destroyed” their citizens through so-called “lockdown” policies.

DeSantis spoke after a local Sheriff spotlighted a mental health crisis during COVID-19, offering an opening for a speech seemingly tailored for an audience beyond Pasco County.

“You look at all these issues. Just think how much worse they are in these states that have locked kids out of school for a year. Just think how much worse it is in these states that have 50% higher unemployment than the state of Florida. Just think how bad it is in places where you don’t give people the freedom to live their life,” the Governor said. “You can’t treat people that way and think that there’s not going to be major problems.”

DeSantis: Florida will follow federal guidelines allowing COVID vaccines for all teachers and childcare workers

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said a federal mandate that allows K-12 teachers, daycare and preschool workers in Florida to get vaccinated will be followed in Florida.

Speaking Thursday at coronavirus vaccination sites in Crystal River and Sebring, the governor said a new mandate from the Biden Administration, which directs every state to prioritize all educators for the vaccine, will allow teachers of all ages to get vaccinated at some locations in Florida. An executive order issued by the governor Friday had opened vaccine eligibility only to K-12 teachers 50 and older.

CVS already has made available the option for all teachers regardless of age to make appointments at its vaccination sites, and Walmart announced it would do so soon as well. DeSantis said other retail pharmacies and the state’s four new federal mass vaccination sites would likely offer the same opportunity to teachers and childcare workers. DeSantis also said he expects more CVS locations to open for vaccination in Florida soon.

New Plans For Suncoast Parkway Extension Backed By Florida Senate

Legislation to drop the southernmost of three planned toll-road projects, while revising plans for the other two, was backed by a divided Senate committee on Wednesday.

The controversial projects, approved by lawmakers in 2019, would build a new toll road between Collier and Polk counties, extend Florida’s Turnpike to connect with the Suncoast Parkway and extend the Suncoast Parkway from Citrus County to Jefferson County.

The Senate Transportation Committee voted 5-3 along party lines Wednesday to support a proposal (SB 100), sponsored by Chairwoman Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, that would repeal the 2019 law establishing the projects.