April 19, 2024
News Service of Florida
Recreational Pot Initiative Tops $300,000
A political committee backing a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana use raised $307,522 in October, with $250,000 coming from the medical-marijuana company Trulieve, according to a newly filed...
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Published on 11/9/2021
Visit Florida finalizing contract for Michelin partnership
Visit Florida’s tab for new Michelin restaurant stars is expected to hit $150,000.
The state’s tourism-marketing arm is finalizing a contract for a recently announced partnership with the international publication...
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Published on 11/8/2021
Florida gasoline prices down slightly
It was a little cheaper last week for Florida motorists to fill up their gas tanks.
The average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in the state Sunday was...
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Published on 11/8/2021
Lawmakers Back More than $100M for Nursing Homes
Florida lawmakers Thursday signed off on providing more than $100 million to private and veterans’ nursing homes struggling with worker shortages and other financial problems.
The Joint Legislative Budget Commission,...
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Published on 11/8/2021
New vaccination requirements likely to fuel Florida debate
The Biden administration Thursday moved forward with COVID-19 vaccination requirements for employees of large businesses and health-care workers, adding fuel to a debate that will be on display in Florida...
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Published on 11/4/2021
Cecil Field lands $6 million from job growth fund
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced $6 million will go to completing nearly two miles of road, along with accompanying utilities, at Jacksonville’s Cecil Field Airport and Spaceport.
DeSantis said...
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Published on 11/4/2021
Two storm tax 'holidays' proposed
Sales tax “holidays” to help people buy gear to prepare for storms and other disasters would be held at the start and during the heart of next year’s hurricane season,...
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Published on 11/4/2021
State gets another bump in tax revenues
Florida budget writers got some good news Wednesday, as general-revenue tax collections topped expectations for September by 15.7 percent, due in part to people continuing to spend down savings amassed...
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Published on 11/4/2021
Virtual school growth spurs debate on funding
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted skyrocketing student enrollment in virtual education, putting a spotlight on competition among Florida providers --- and igniting a debate about whether lawmakers should tweak the way...
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Published on 11/3/2021
Lottery records exemption gets Senate support
A proposal that would temporarily shield the names of winners of big Florida lottery jackpots cleared its first Senate committee on Tuesday.
The Regulated Industries Committee backed a measure (SB...
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Published on 11/3/2021
Money sought for Keys protections
Up to $20 million a year would be directed toward environmental projects in the Florida Keys, including the barrier reef, under a proposal filed Tuesday in the state House.
The...
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Published on 11/3/2021
Sports betting kicks off, quietly, in Florida
The Seminole Tribe on Monday quietly launched online sports betting in Florida, amid continuing legal challenges to a gambling deal approved by state lawmakers in May.
The tribe’s highly anticipated...
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Published on 11/2/2021
Visit Florida Extension Takes First Step
Senate Commerce and Tourism Chairman Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, started to move forward Tuesday with his proposal to extend the life of Florida’s tourism-marketing agency into the next decade.
The Commerce...
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Published on 11/2/2021
Seminole Tribe launches campaign to fend off challenges to Florida gambling pact
After nailing down a deal that gave it control over sports betting in the state, the Seminole Tribe is trying to clinch its status as Florida’s “800-pound” gambling gorilla by...
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Published on 11/2/2021
Health Care Groups Point to Workforce 'Crisis'
A broad coalition of health-care groups Monday tried to ratchet up attention on staffing and financial problems, saying the state needs to take steps to help address what industry officials...
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Published on 11/1/2021
Small Business Tax ‘Holiday' proposed
Discounts for shoppers would be offered through a sales-tax "holiday" at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, under a pair of bills filed Monday for the 2022 legislative session,...
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Published on 11/1/2021
Lawmakers Could Give Boost to Nursing Homes, Prison Workers
Amid fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and worker shortages, Florida lawmakers next week will consider proposals to inject nearly $100 million into nursing homes and boost pay of state correctional...
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Published on 10/30/2021
Special Session on Pandemic Mandates Set for Mid-November
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday directed lawmakers to return to Tallahassee on Nov. 15 for a special session to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be...
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Published on 10/30/2021
Florida jobless claims inch up, highest in a month
Unemployment claims in Florida last week were the highest since mid-September, but the number of applications remained similar to levels before the COVID-19 pandemic crashed the economy in 2020.
The...
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Published on 10/28/2021
Court Knocks Down Legal Fees in Irma Case
An appeals court Wednesday ordered a reduction in legal fees and costs in a case filed against the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. after Hurricane Irma damaged a Miami-Dade County...
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Published on 10/27/2021
State to face class action on juvenile solitary confinement
A federal judge has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit against the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice about the use of solitary confinement for minors, including children with disabilities....
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Published on 10/27/2021
New area code sought for South Florida
With the state’s population continuing to grow and cell phones and other technology requiring new numbers, South Florida could get another area code.
State regulators next week will hold a...
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Published on 10/26/2021
Proposal seeks mentoring for teachers
Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, on Monday filed a bill for the 2022 legislative session that seeks to create a training and mentoring program for teachers.
The proposal (SB 618)...
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Published on 10/26/2021
Online ordering of medical marijuana is restored by Florida judge
Leafly and similar sites will be able to resume contracting with Florida medical-marijuana operators to allow patients to order products online, under a ruling issued Monday by an administrative law...
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Published on 10/26/2021
Florida gas prices at highest level since 2014
Florida gasoline prices went up 13 cents during the past week and are the highest they have been since October 2014, according to the AAA auto club.
AAA said the...
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Published on 10/25/2021
