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Ana CeballosFebruary 21, 2018

A sweeping criminal justice bill that would upend how the state collects data on offenders in an attempt to better determine who is incarcerated and for how long is moving in the Senate. The measure would require the Department of Corrections to use risk-assessment instruments that can identify the appropriate intervention and program for an […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2018

It may have taken 16 months, an attempt by the Florida Legislature to tie local authorities’ hands, and threats of a lawsuit, but the Osceola County Commission has found what many may consider the sweet spot in approving retail sales of medical marijuana. As a result, one medical marijuana company gets exclusive rights to open […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 21, 2018

A Senate bill that would allow guns in churches with schools attached was temporarily postponed on Wednesday, but it could still come back later in the legislative session. As Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors filled the seats in the Senate gallery, Senate President Joe Negron said the gun bill by Republican Sen. Dennis […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 20, 2018

Clad in black, students who survived the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting walked the halls of the Florida Capitol on Tuesday, going in and out of lawmakers’ offices asking them to pass gun control measures. Each held a clipboard with their itinerary for the day and had a somber look on their face, still […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 19, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran is doubling down on his tough-on-immigration talk with a new television ad that calls for more deportations. The television ad is less incendiary than his first one, which was hcriticized by Democrats for portraying immigrants who came into the country illegally as a danger to Floridians. Records show the new media […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 16, 2018

A day after 17 people were gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Republican Sen. Greg Steube scheduled a hearing for a gun bill he is co-sponsoring that would allow school officials to designate certain people to carry concealed weapons on campus. School principals and school district superintendents would be able to choose one […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2018

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine wrote Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron on Thursday, urging a commitment to gun control measures in the wake of the Parkland massacre Wednesday. “We need more than thoughts and prayers — we need immediate policy changes that can have an immediate deterrence of these tragic incidents,” Levine […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 15, 2018

As the country grapples with the aftermath of a high school mass shooting in Broward County, Senate President Joe Negron said Thursday the upper chamber will be focused on boosting funding for mental health and campus security — not gun control. “I think that the key for me — and what I am focusing on […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 14, 2018

Moving away from an outright ban on all underage marriages, the Florida House on Wednesday sent the Senate a proposal that would allow certain minors to wed in cases when there is a pregnancy. “I believe this bill will put Florida in the forefront of putting [a] safeguard in place and protecting children,” said state […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 13, 2018

A House proposal that would change the way law enforcement officers get their hands on data from a person’s cellphone was pushed on Tuesday to its last committee assignment. Republican state Rep. Jamie Grant said his bill (HB 1249) would require police to “reflect constitutional due process” when they search a person’s phone-location records as […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Senate panel pushes criminal justice overhaul bill

Osceola County finds sweet spot for medical marijuana dispensaries

With Parkland students present, Senate postpones gun bill vote

As Parkland students call for gun control, motion to ban assault rifles fails

Richard Corcoran puts more money behind new immigration tv ad

Day after school shooting, Senate panel sets hearing for gun bill

Philip Levine wants ‘immediate policy changes’ on gun laws

In wake of Parkland shooting, Senate focuses on mental health funding

House passes bill that would allow certain minors to wed

House panel advances bill adding protections to cellphone searches