Updated Apr. 30
TALLAHASSEE â Eight months ago, state lawmakers were fretting about the stateâs budget. With millions of Floridians out of work, sales tax revenues dried up and state agencies were facing deep cuts.
But in a dramatic turnaround, sales tax revenues rebounded and Congress sent Florida billions in stimulus dollars, allowing lawmakers to go on a spending spree this year.
State lawmakers on Friday signed off on a record $101.5 billion on the state budget that has left both Republicans and Democrats happy â mostly.
Flush with $10.2 billion American Rescue Plan funding from Congress, Republicans are using it to cross off longstanding issues and plug holes in the budget created by the pandemic.
Floridaâs property insurance revamped by lawmakers
The bill could lead to larger rate increases for customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and steps to curb roof-damage claims and lawsuits.
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By Jim Saunders
Updated Apr. 30
TALLAHASSEE â Grappling with problems in the property-insurance market, Florida lawmakers Friday passed a plan that could lead to larger rate increases for customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and steps to curb roof-damage claims and lawsuits.
But the plan was not as far-reaching as a Senate proposal that would have effectively shifted more costs to many homeowners when they sustain roof damage.
Attempt to bar school from banning vaccinated teachers fails
If it becomes law, businesses, schools and government entities across Florida will be barred from asking anyone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.
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Jacqueline Lindley, 10, center, and sisters Savannah Lindley, 6, left, and Caroline Lindley, 8, right, ride their bikes home from school on the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. A Miami state senator on Thursday tried to emulate the âvaccine passportâ initiative but in reverse, sponsoring a proposal to prevent schools and businesses from requiring people to not get the COVID-19 vaccine. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Updated Apr. 30
TALLAHASSEE - A Miami state senator on Thursday tried to emulate the âvaccine passportâ initiative but in reverse, sponsoring a proposal to prevent schools and businesses from requiring people to
Florida elections supervisors: New voting law makes it harder to request and return ballots msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Legislators power through measure to overturn Key West vote
As a result of the November vote, the city will ban cruise ships with more than 1,300 passengers from docking at the city port as soon as cruise ship travel resumes and the federal no-sail order is lifted.
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The Carnival Pride cruise ship arrives at Port Miami, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Miami. Lawmakers revived a bill aimed at limiting cruise traffic into the port of Key West. Local business groups, fishermen and activists who organized the effort said their goal was not to end cruise ship traffic but to restrict the largest vessels that they say are damaging the coral reef on which their livelihoods depend. [ LYNNE SLADKY | AP ]