Two bills by Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) which will reform the child welfare system and correct an information gap which leaves youth-serving organizations vulnerable to adults who have sexually abused minors were passed unanimously by the Florida Senate today and will now head to the Governor’s desk for signing into law. [Read more…] about In Final Days of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Senate Sends Child Safety Laws to Governor’s Desk
Soup Du Jour
Balanced State Budget Makes Key Infrastructure Investments, Ensures Significant Reserves as Economy Recovers
Strategic use of nonrecurring federal funds, bonuses for pandemic first
responders and teachers – Key investments in child welfare, minimum wage
Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, a balanced state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, was finalized this afternoon beginning the constitutionally required 72-hour cooling off period before a vote on Friday, April 30, the final day of the 2021 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature. [Read more…] about Balanced State Budget Makes Key Infrastructure Investments, Ensures Significant Reserves as Economy Recovers
Senate Passes Legislation to Expand School Choice Options for Florida Families
HB 7045 expands eligibility, maximizes parental choice in K-12 scholarship programs
The Florida Senate today passed House Bill 7045, School Choice, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Manny Diaz, Jr. (R-Hialeah). [Read more…] about Senate Passes Legislation to Expand School Choice Options for Florida Families
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Applauds Florida Legislature for Passing Landmark Legislation to Modernize the State’s Unemployment System
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Executive Director Dane Eagle, Senate President Pro Tempore Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach), and Representative Chip LaMarca (R-Lighthouse Point) today released the following joint statement in support of the Florida Legislature for their unanimous passage of CS/CS/HB 1463 to modernize the state’s unemployment system. [Read more…] about The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Applauds Florida Legislature for Passing Landmark Legislation to Modernize the State’s Unemployment System
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Announces Eleven Consecutive Months of Job Growth, Gaining Nearly 33,000 Private Sector Jobs
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity today announced Florida has experienced eleven consecutive months of job growth, gaining 32,900 private sector jobs in the month of March 2021. [Read more…] about Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Announces Eleven Consecutive Months of Job Growth, Gaining Nearly 33,000 Private Sector Jobs
Coalition of Florida Elected Leaders Voices Perils of Energy Preemption Bills
Mayors, commissioners, other leaders release letter
in opposition to bills restricting local energy decisions
Voicing their opposition to bills that would preempt local energy decisions, more than two dozen local elected officials today released a letter to Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls detailing how such legislation could have negative consequences for communities across Florida. [Read more…] about Coalition of Florida Elected Leaders Voices Perils of Energy Preemption Bills
Florida Department of Education Issues Emergency Order
Builds on previous orders that provide options and flexibility
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) today issued Emergency Order 2021-EO-02. [Read more…] about Florida Department of Education Issues Emergency Order
Senate Unanimously Passes Balanced Budget, Ensures Significant Reserves as Economy Recovers
Key investments in child welfare, minimum wage – New infrastructure plan mitigates impacts of sea level rise, provides affordable housing options, enhances wastewater programs
The Florida Senate today unanimously passed Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, a proposed state budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, and also passed the implementing bill and conforming bills associated with a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year. [Read more…] about Senate Unanimously Passes Balanced Budget, Ensures Significant Reserves as Economy Recovers
Senate Passes Comprehensive Plan to Invest in Florida’s Infrastructure
The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 2512, Documentary Stamp Tax Distributions, and Senate Bill 2514, Resilient Florida Trust Fund. [Read more…] about Senate Passes Comprehensive Plan to Invest in Florida’s Infrastructure
27 arrested in Operation No Warning
Suspects were a major supplier of cocaine in Leon and Gadsden counties
Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents, along with Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol, arrested 27 suspects charged with drug crimes, including wide-scale drug trafficking in Leon and Gadsden counties. [Read more…] about 27 arrested in Operation No Warning
