Page 26 - Ryan Dailey News Today

Florida Legislature: Budget deal avoids health cuts, gives teachers bonuses, salary boost Christine Sexton © News-Journal photo illustration/Krys Fluker Florida faces budget challenges TALLAHASSEE — After a week of largely out-of-sight budget negotiations, Florida lawmakers have ironed out many major spending differences and are on track to wrap up the 2021 regular legislative session on time. House and Senate budget chiefs on Friday night publicly accepted compromises on s...

Legislative leaders also reached agreement on more than $22 billion in school spending, including a bump in money for teacher salaries as well as $1,000 bonuses for teachers and principals that had been pitched by Gov. Ron DeSantis as a way to reward educators who helped reopen schools. The bonus plan also includes money going to early learning instructors. “We feel that those teachers have gone back and worked with these children,” Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland...

Legislative leaders reached agreement on more than $22 billion in school spending, including a bump in money for teacher salaries as well as $1,000 bonuses for teachers and principals.

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 4.23.21 President Joe Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis may not like each other, but they have one thing in common: Solid approval among Florida voters. A new poll from bipartisan firm RABA Research found the state’s top elected official and the Commander in Chief both have approval ratings in the positive by double-digits. DeSantis, midway through his first term, has the approval of 56% of voters compared to 42% who...

College COVID-19 legal protections approved Ryan Dailey TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House on Wednesday passed a wide-ranging higher education bill that, in part, would protect colleges and universities from coronavirus-related lawsuits.  Sponsor Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, said the bill (HB 1261), passed in a 92-22 vote, “prioritizes students and families.” Some House Democrats who opposed the bill, however, expressed concerns about offering the legal protections. Under the proposal, public a...

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 4.22.21 Dont miss your first look at stories driving todays agenda in Florida politics. If it’s time for a pickle pizza, that must mean it’s time for the Florida State Fair. Yes, that 11-day celebration of crafts, displays, agriculture exhibits, thrill rides, and really weird food begins today at the state fairgrounds in Tampa. Normally by now, the Fair would be long gone, but as we all know, there is nothing norm...

Teachers could not make suggestions to students Under the bill, teachers would not be able to “make suggestions as to the nature of any reflection that a student may engage in during the moment of silence,” and students “may not interfere with other students participation.” The measure also would direct teachers to encourage parents to talk with students about the moment of silence and “to make suggestions as to the best use” of the time. Senate sponsor Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, said ...

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 4.21.21 Guilty. Guilty. Derrick Chauvin murdered George Floyd, the hammer of justice sounded loudly on all three counts he faced. The video of Chauvin’s neck on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes was damning enough. There was more, though. Throughout the ordeal, the smug, superior expression on Chauvin’s face told volumes about the disregard he had for Floyd’s life. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Image via A...

Is Corcoran FSU-bound? — Gaetz targets CNN with ad buy — Florida House passes transgender athletes ban — A deal on police reforms? Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx Hello and welcome to Thursday. The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 6,772 (0.3 percent), to 2,141,686; active hospitalizations increased by 1, to 3,258; deaths of Florida residents rose by 44 (0.1 percent), to 34,164; 7,584,736 Floridians have receive...

News Service of Florida Answering the question of how the state would handle standardized testing this year, the Florida Department of Education issued an emergency order Friday waiving accountability measures tied to state exams.  Concerns about consequences of testing had loomed as exams kicked off this week for some students. Education officials and lawmakers grappled with the issue because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools, including many students learning remotely. “Sim...