May 9, 2024
News Service of Florida
Florida jobless rate dips slightly in December as 18,000 fewer in state considered unemployed
Florida’s jobless rate dipped 0.2 percentage points in December amid what state officials said is growing economic confidence as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The state Department of Economic Opportunity on...
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Published on 1/24/2021
Another disaster preparedness sales tax ‘holiday' proposed
A Senate Republican on Friday filed a bill that would provide a sales-tax “holiday” around the start of hurricane season for people who buy disaster-preparedness supplies.
Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota,...
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Published on 1/24/2021
Pandemics won't shut down Florida businesses again, state senator says
Businesses will remain open for the economic well-being of the state even as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Florida, the head of a Senate select committee on the pandemic...
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Published on 1/21/2021
Florida unemployment claims down last week
First-time unemployment claims fell in Florida last week, while the U.S. Department of Labor also vastly reduced its estimate of claims for the prior week.
The department reported Thursday an...
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Published on 1/21/2021
Tallahassee takes aim again at no-fault automobile insurance
The latest effort to end Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system will get its first Senate hearing next week.
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Jan. 26 will take up...
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Published on 1/19/2021
Florida House Proposal Would Lift Telehealth Restrictions
Amid expanded use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, a House Republican on Wednesday filed a bill that would eliminate restrictions on prescribing controlled substances through telehealth.
Rep. Tom Fabricio,...
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Published on 1/18/2021
Florida lawmakers weigh health care liability protections
The House Health & Human Services Committee on Thursday conducted its first --- and last --- workshop on COVID-19 liability protections for health care providers.
The committee heard from representatives...
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Published on 1/18/2021
Florida Business And Regulation Secretary Beshears Steps Down, Cites ‘Health Issues'
Citing health issues, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears said he will step down from his post this month.
Beshears, a former state representative from North...
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Published on 1/18/2021
Florida high school grad rates climb, thanks to exemptions during pandemic
Graduation rates for Florida high school students ticked up this year, with 90% of students graduating, according to a state Department of Education report released this week. The report showed a 3.1 percentage-point...
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Published on 1/13/2021
Florida Senate may consider permanent post to address climate change
An effort is back in the Senate to permanently set up a statewide office to consider climate change impacts, as environmentalists wait for a new chief resiliency officer to be...
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Published on 1/12/2021
Should computers seized in raid of data analyst's home be returned? A judge will hear arguments this week in court case
A Leon County circuit judge is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday about whether the Florida Department of Law Enforcement should return property to fired state Department of Health analyst Rebekah...
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Published on 1/11/2021
Florida regulators approve Duke Energy's plan for 10 solar plants
State utility regulators on Tuesday backed plans by Duke Energy Florida to build 10 solar plants over the next four years, despite some concerns about size and costs.
In a...
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Published on 1/5/2021
U.S. Supreme Court set to hear Florida-Georgia water battle
After years of battling between Florida and Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court next month will again take up a dispute about water in a river system that links the two...
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Published on 1/4/2021
Florida Governments, Groups Urge Rehearing On Conversion Therapy
Cities, counties and groups from Florida and other parts of the country are trying to help sway a federal appeals court to reconsider a potentially far-reaching decision that blocked bans...
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Published on 12/28/2020
Florida exceeds more than 21,000 COVID-19 deaths
The department's website showed 21,135 residents have died since the pandemic started. Also, 302 non-residents have died in Florida.
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Published on 12/28/2020
Florida business in bankruptcy can't get PPP loan, appeal court rules
In a Florida case that could have broader implications, a federal appeals court has upheld a U.S. Small Business Administration decision that prevents businesses from receiving Paycheck Protection Program loans...
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Published on 12/23/2020
Bridge toll battle goes to appeals court
Bondholders have gone to a state appeals court as they seek to force the Florida Department of Transportation to pay damages because of lost toll revenues on a long-controversial Panhandle...
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Published on 12/22/2020
Florida lawmaker proposes sales-tax holiday for Small Business Saturday
A South Florida Democrat has proposed holding a “Small Business Saturday” sales-tax holiday on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2021.
Sen. Annette Taddeo, D-Miami, filed the bill (SB 302) on...
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Published on 12/22/2020
Florida's tax revenue projections improve for 2020-21 and beyond
While they didn’t go as far as the governor’s office wanted, Florida economists Monday shrank a projected revenue reduction lawmakers will confront when they hammer out the next budget.
The...
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Published on 12/22/2020
Florida physicians urge patience as COVID vaccine demand outweighs supply
Noting a limited amount of COVID-19 vaccine available for distribution in December, the state’s largest physicians association urged people Thursday to be patient.
“There are far more health care providers...
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Published on 12/21/2020
Florida House targets Chinese interference in higher education
Florida lawmakers will consider legislation to protect state universities and research institutions from interference by China, state House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, said Tuesday.
In a tweet, Sprowls said...
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Published on 12/16/2020
Land deals approved in Southwest Florida, Panhandle
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet agreed Tuesday to spend more than $16.7 million to protect fields in Southwest Florida where federally endangered Florida panthers roam and land in...
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Published on 12/15/2020
State, Deloitte say unemployment case should be tossed
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Deloitte Consulting LLP are asking a Leon County circuit judge to toss out a revised class-action lawsuit that seeks damages because of problems...
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Published on 12/15/2020
Grand jury says Florida's mental health system is a 'mess'
A statewide grand jury studying school safety issued an interim report Thursday that tore into Florida’s mental health system, saying that “deficiencies in funding, leadership and services related to mental...
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Published on 12/14/2020
Florida citrus industry continues to get squeezed
Production of Florida oranges is now forecast to be about 17 percent below last season’s output, while the industry has seen a surge in demand linked to people staying home...
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Published on 12/11/2020
