Category: Florida News

Floridians will be able to buy batteries, portable radios and generators tax-free during a week-long period in June, the Associated Press reports. https://apnews.com/97c8dcad93f347889f2ef6b063f3e322/Florida-Legislature-approves-storm-and-school-tax-holidays

The real controversy centers on FL HB7055 (18R), a priority for House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land O’ Lakes).  The bill includes sweeping changes to the K-12 system. The governor touted that the newly signed law “expands school choice.”  Daniel Ducassi reports …

Citrus canker has led to more than a 70 percent reduction in Florida’s annual citrus crop while nearly tripling the cost of production.  Kevin Bouffard reports for the Lakeland Ledger. http://www.theledger.com/news/20180310/new-cash-crop-frostproof-citrus-grower-looking-to-try-bamboo-to-offset-losses

In an effort to shore up the newly-enacted law limiting gun sales, an influential member of the Constitutional Revision Commission has proposed an amendment that will prevent future constitutional challenges to the law.  The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports …

The Bradenton Herald’s Hannah Morse recounts how Manatee County is picking up the pieces. http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article204494959.html

Proposed amendments to Rule 19-8.028, F.A.C., Reimbursement Premium Formula relating to premium formula requirements for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund 2018-2019 Contract Year will be the topic of a Rule Development Workshop scheduled for March 21, 2018 at 9 a.m. …

Florida’s $88.7 Billion Budget is Ready and Headed for Sunday Vote Following the destruction of Hurricane Irma and the arrival of thousands of Puerto Rican Residents after Hurricane Maria, Lawmakers had vowed to increase money available for apartments and lower-cost …

Following the destruction of Hurricane Irma and the arrival of thousands of Puerto Rican residents after Hurricane Maria, lawmakers had vowed to increase money available for apartments and lower-cost housing, but the Parkland response changed that and many other spending …

A bill passed by Florida lawmakers empowering some personnel in public schools to carry firearms to guard against attacks like last month’s massacre near Miami could expose these employees to potentially costly civil lawsuits, legal experts said.  Reuters’ Tina Bellon …

This marks a second term as chief justice for Canady, 63, who led the court in 2010 to 2012.  Suzie Schottelkotte reports for the Winter Haven News Chief. http://www.newschief.com/news/20180308/lakelands-canady-named-chief-justice-of-florida-supreme-court