Tag Archives: Florida

Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix An expansion of the Florida State Guard, created last year to supplement the Florida National Guard, which suffers from low capacity and is subject to being nationalized and sent away to foreign conflicts, would include a “specialized unit” with power to arrest civilians if deployed by …

Orion Rummler Originally published by The 19th Florida’s Department of Education voted Wednesday to expand the state’s law banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity, extending the restrictions through 12th grade. The expansion makes real a warning that LGBTQ+ advocates had repeated since the inception of the original …

Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix Gov. Ron DeSantis has quietly signed Florida’s new six-week abortion ban into law, continuing his trend of approving controversial new laws outside the limelight. Aides issued a news release at 11:26 p.m. Thursday that he’d signed SB 300, the so-called Heartbeat Protection Act, mere hours after …

Danielle J. Brown, Florida Phoenix In less than a year, Florida has moved from a 15-week abortion ban to the passage of one of the most restrictive bans in the nation — a 6-week abortion ban. The state House approved the legislation after at least six hours of questions, amendments, …

Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix A Florida House Republican member Monday referred to members of the transgender community as “mutants” and “demons” in a two-minute speech in a House Committee meeting. Volusia County Republican Webster Barnaby was addressing the House Commerce Committee following a debate about a measure that would criminalize …

Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix With little fanfare, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday making Florida the 26th state in the nation to allow residents to legally carry concealed weapons without having to obtain a permit through the state. The signature came in DeSantis’ office, where he was surrounded by GOP …

Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix A twice-elected public official stands accused of violating his duty to enforce the law, casting doubt upon his legitimacy. No, we’re not talking about Democrat Andrew Warren, removed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as state’s attorney in Hillsborough County for alleged incompetence and neglect of duty for …

Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix The Florida House of Representatives passed a permitless carry bill (HB 543) along party lines Friday that would allow people to carry guns without being required to obtain a concealed-weapons license from the state. If ultimately approved, it would make the Sunshine State the 26th state …

Danielle J. Brown, Florida Phoenix After weeks of multiple bills moving through legislative committees, GOP House lawmakers on Thursday combined three controversial measures into one — all about how Florida public schools operate regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. The combination bill is now headed to the full House, even …

Commentary Diane Roberts, Florida Phoenix Why would Ron DeSantis rather destroy Florida universities than allow our students encounter ideas he doesn’t like? What’s he so afraid of? Is it that the preservation of slavery was indeed one important factor in getting the white South to support the American Revolution? That …

Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix College professors can continue to teach hard lessons about race and sexism notwithstanding Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Stop Woke” act, his attempt to dictate how educators handle these topics. In a terse order issued Thursday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh …

Danielle J. Brown, Florida Phoenix Republican lawmakers are proposing to expand legislation that would further limit majors and minors available to Florida university students, which would exacerbate concerns from faculty and other opponents of the bill that has already shaken up higher education in the state. The legislation also would …

Robin Opsahl, Florida Phoenix Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told Iowa Republicans Friday that standing strong in the culture wars around issues like education, criminal justice and health care in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic will help their party win elections. DeSantis, along with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, spoke to …

Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix Saying that it’s the time to address the housing crisis in Florida, the state Senate unanimously passed a more than $700 million affordable housing package on Wednesday, on the second day of the 2023 regular legislative session. The measure, called the Live Local Act, has been considered …

Diane Rado, Florida Phoenix The GOP-controlled Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a 15-week abortion ban just last year. On Tuesday, lawmakers filed a bill to reduce the ban to six weeks, creating significant new abortion restrictions in the state. State Sen. Erin Grall, who has been at the …