Recap and analysis of the week in state government By Dara Kam THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — Last week, the students had the spotlight. This week, it was grieving parents…
Tag: Florida Legislature
Scott: Confederate monument on Capitol grounds a legislative decision
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Gov. Rick Scott says proposals to remove a Confederate soldier monument from the Capitol grounds should be handled through the Legislature, where the controversial…
Ten Big Issues of 2017 Legislative Session
How much of the heavy lifting got done…. By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida lawmakers gather today at the Capitol to pass a new state budget. But for the…
Gaetz: Dems are targeting Orlando lawmaker with special session call [podcast]
Last week, State Rep. Matt Gaetz predicted that the Democratic lawmakers would attempt to call a special Florida legislative session on gun control. Yesterday, Democratic lawmakers on submitted 46 letters from House…
A quarter of Florida Legislature re-elected without opposition
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Floridians won’t get to cast a ballot for more than one-fourth of the people in charge of making laws and piecing together the state…
Gun measures expected to re-emerge in 2017 session
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA The mass shootings in an Orlando nightclub this week have fueled the already-polarizing issues of gun rights and gun control, with the debate expected…
Florida House and Senate reach budget deal
By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA House and Senate leaders announced a deal on the state budget during a late-night meeting Monday, pumping more than $120 million in last-minute projects…
Pensacola city officials break commitment made to Florida Legislature
City Administrator Eric Olson and his Chief Human Resources Officer Ed Sisson recently abolished the Personnel Board that was created to handle employees’ appeals of disciplinary actions. The creation of the Personnel…
Clash marks opening of redistricting session
Rep. Clay Ingram will be on “Pensacola Speaks” this afternoon to give an update on the special session. REDISTRICTING SESSION KICKS OFF WITH A CLASH By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF…
Backroom briefing: Jury still out on Justices and Legislature
Weekly political notes from The News Service of Florida By BRANDON LARRABEE AND JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA In the ongoing case of the Florida Legislature v. the Florida Supreme…
What is on tap in Tallahassee
GUN BILL TAKES AIM AT INSURERS: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 255), sponsored by Chairman Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that could lead to tougher penalties if…
State Capital briefs, Feb. 5
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TAX CUT BACKED As Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders look to cut $500 million in taxes and fees this year, a Senate panel Tuesday approved a plan that would…
Wake Up with Labor
In conjunction with statewide Awake the State rallies, local labor activists will gather tomorrow at state Representative Clay Ford’s local office. The Northwest Florida Federation of Labor/Central Labor Council will lead the…
Sink calls for economic protections during special session
Press Release: Florida CFO Alex Sink today sent a letter to Speaker of the Florida House Larry Cretul and President of the Florida Senate Jeff Atwater outlining incentives, claims changes, and environmental…
More insanity: Tie teacher’s comp to FCAT
According to the Miami Herald, there is a bill in the Florida Legislature that will tie half of teacher’s compensation to FCAT and final exams. If this passes, expect teachers to only…
Class-size battle brewing
Florida voters in 2002 changed the state’s constitution to require smaller class sizes in their public schools. Since then, the Florida legislature, Gov. Jeb Bush and school superintendents have tried to rewrite…
Consolidation Commission killed itself early
In an article on NorthEscambia.com, State Rep. Clay Ford says the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission chairman Ken Bell disbanded the commission, which was actually formed by the Florida Legislature, early when…
PNJ has it backwards
BACKWARDS PROCESS Consolidation battle has not become about the details of the plan. Instead, the fight has been over whether the public should vote on the plan that no one other than…
Consolidation Forum Tonight (read summary of plan)
Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission will present tonight its consolidation plan: New World Landing, 600 South Palafox St., 5:30-7 p.m. Here is a summary of the plan: A SUMMARY OF THE ECCSC…
What’s the problem with consolidation?
The bill that passed by the Florida Legislature gives the Escambia County Consolidation Commission this charge: To study and develop a proposed consolidation plan for local governments or unification of administrative services…