Florida's Latest News

DeSantis’ Big Tech crackdown bill is ready for vote in full House

 Despite concerns about its constitutionality, a bill to punish Big Tech companies that “deplatform” candidates or censor users’ speech without reason is ready for a vote in the House after passing through a committee in that chamber Tuesday.

It’s part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to crackdown on Twitter, Facebook and other major technology firms for censoring conservatives, including banning former President Donald Trump for inciting the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

“The vast majority of Americans think Big Tech is inappropriately censoring people,” said Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, sponsor of HB 7013. “We need transparency, accountability and consistency.”

Hastings’ seat draws Democratic interest, but DeSantis will play an important role

The death of Congressman Alcee Hastings on Tuesday will touch off a competitive Democratic primary for a seat in a majority Black district that hasn’t been open since 1992.

But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ultimately has the power to determine when the special election to replace Hastings will happen, and leaving a deep blue seat unfilled for months will help Republicans in Washington as they attempt to stop President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda.

DeSantis hasn’t announced plans for a special primary and general election, and Hastings’ seat is the first vacancy in the state’s U.S. House delegation since DeSantis assumed office.

Gaetz reported to have sought a ‘blanket’ pardon from Trump

Rep. Matt Gaetz allegedly sought a “blanket” presidential pardon from Donald Trump in the closing weeks of his administration — a request which was ultimately not fulfilled, according to news reports.

The request for a blanket preemptive pardon for the Florida Republican and unidentified congressional allies, first reported on Tuesday night by The New York Times, came as the Justice Department was opening an investigation into whether Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel across state lines. It’s the latest development in a scandal that has embroiled the third-term lawmaker after The Times first reported on the investigation last week.

Gaetz, a conservative firebrand, has been a vocal defender of the former president. However, the request for a pardon was quickly dismissed by the White House, as lawyers and officials considered such a broad move could set a bad precedent, the Times reported, citing anonymous sources who were briefed on the discussions.

Congressman Urges Closure Of Piney Point Plant, Second Leak Not Detected

A drone discovered a possible second breach early Monday at the leaking Piney Point processing plant in Manatee County, as more pumps were headed to the site to prevent a catastrophic flood. Late Monday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said those reports were unsubstantiated.

Engineers were evacuated after the possible leak was discovered, but were back on the site and are installing 20 pumps that would more than double the amount of water being pumped into Tampa Bay.

The flow going into the bay — currently 35 million gallons a day — would be increased to between 75 and 100 million gallons a day when all the pumps are operating, Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes said.