AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 19, 2021 at 5:38 pmGov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s “anti-riot” bill into law on Monday, a measure that vastly increases law enforcement’s powers to crack down on civil unrest.The bill, pushed by the Republican governor, has been criticized by Democrats and civil rights groups as unconstitutional for infringing on the First Amendment’s right to peacefully protest.Advertisement“If you look at the breadth of this particular piece of legislation, it is the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country,” DeSantis said at a...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 19, 2021 at 5:38 pmGov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s “anti-riot” bill into law on Monday, a measure that vastly increases law enforcement’s powers to crack down on civil unrest.The bill, pushed by the Republican governor, has been criticized by Democrats and civil rights groups as unconstitutional for infringing on the First Amendment’s right to peacefully protest.Advertisement“If you look at the breadth of this particular piece of legislation, it is the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country,” DeSantis said at a...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 15, 2021 at 6:39 pmTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate on Thursday approved an “anti-riot” bill championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending it to him for signature into law over the objections of Democrats and civil rights groups who say the measure infringes on the fundamental First Amendment right to protest.The hotly debated measure passed 23-17, largely along partisan lines.AdvertisementThe parts of the bill (HB 1 ) that most upset Democrats grant civil legal immunity to people who drive through protesters blocking a road; prevent people arrested...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 15, 2021 at 6:39 pmTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate on Thursday approved an “anti-riot” bill championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending it to him for signature into law over the objections of Democrats and civil rights groups who say the measure infringes on the fundamental First Amendment right to protest.The hotly debated measure passed 23-17, largely along partisan lines.AdvertisementThe parts of the bill (HB 1 ) that most upset Democrats grant civil legal immunity to people who drive through protesters blocking a road; prevent people arrested...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 15, 2021 at 8:00 amVaccination passports have become a new ideological battleground of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joining the fray by issuing an order banning their use by both local governments and businesses.But already, businesses ranging from cruise lines to sports teams have announced they’re planning to require some kind of proof of vaccination for entry into their ships or arenas.AdvertisementAnd with the Biden administration ruling out issuing federal passports, that means there could be a consequential showdown between...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 15, 2021 at 8:00 amVaccination passports have become a new ideological battleground of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joining the fray by issuing an order banning their use by both local governments and businesses.But already, businesses ranging from cruise lines to sports teams have announced they’re planning to require some kind of proof of vaccination for entry into their ships or arenas.AdvertisementAnd with the Biden administration ruling out issuing federal passports, that means there could be a consequential showdown between...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 05, 2021 at 8:00 amTALLAHASSEE – Women who get Medicaid coverage during their pregnancy in Florida lose it two months after delivery if they don’t otherwise qualify for Medicaid. Ocoee Democratic Rep. Kamia Brown has sought to change that since taking office in 2016, and this year she’s gained a powerful ally: House Speaker Chris Sprowls.“If it wasn’t for the hard work that (Rep. Brown) has done to pave the path for this the work that we have been able to do here today … would not be possible,” said Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, during a March 23 press...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 05, 2021 at 8:00 amTALLAHASSEE – Women who get Medicaid coverage during their pregnancy in Florida lose it two months after delivery if they don’t otherwise qualify for Medicaid. Ocoee Democratic Rep. Kamia Brown has sought to change that since taking office in 2016, and this year she’s gained a powerful ally: House Speaker Chris Sprowls.“If it wasn’t for the hard work that (Rep. Brown) has done to pave the path for this the work that we have been able to do here today … would not be possible,” said Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, during a March 23 press...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 01, 2021 at 8:31 amTALLAHASSEE – Florida lawmakers have moved a step closer to diverting money intended for affordable housing to pay for new programs to combat sea-level rise, over the objections of housing program advocates who argue the pandemic has created a greater need for housing programs.House and Senate budget panels passed bills, HB 5401 and SB 2512, on Wednesday that would sweep two-thirds of the money that would go into affordable housing into grant programs for wastewater treatment projects and to address the problems caused by sea-level rise...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 01, 2021 at 8:31 amTALLAHASSEE – Florida lawmakers have moved a step closer to diverting money intended for affordable housing to pay for new programs to combat sea-level rise, over the objections of housing program advocates who argue the pandemic has created a greater need for housing programs.House and Senate budget panels passed bills, HB 5401 and SB 2512, on Wednesday that would sweep two-thirds of the money that would go into affordable housing into grant programs for wastewater treatment projects and to address the problems caused by sea-level rise...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelMar 23, 2021 at 12:23 pmTALLAHASSEE — Orlando Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy, who is considering a run for governor in 2022, released a Tuesday, another indicator that he’s inching closer to a bid for the governor’s mansion.The nearly two-minute spot features Bracy talking about the toll of the pandemic on the state and the need for a governor to work in a bipartisan way, although he doesn’t mention Gov. Ron DeSantis by name.Advertisement“Loved ones are dying, jobs have disappeared; people are scared and looking for answers,” Bracy says. “To solve these...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelMar 23, 2021 at 12:23 pmTALLAHASSEE — Orlando Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy, who is considering a run for governor in 2022, released a Tuesday, another indicator that he’s inching closer to a bid for the governor’s mansion.The nearly two-minute spot features Bracy talking about the toll of the pandemic on the state and the need for a governor to work in a bipartisan way, although he doesn’t mention Gov. Ron DeSantis by name.Advertisement“Loved ones are dying, jobs have disappeared; people are scared and looking for answers,” Bracy says. “To solve these...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelFeb 19, 2021 at 8:26 amTALLAHASSEE — Three years after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland spurred a vocal group of students to demand gun law changes, the debate over firearms has been all but muted in the state Capitol.In the wake of the Feb. 14, 2018, shootings that left 17 students and faculty dead and another 17 wounded, lawmakers passed a bill that beefed up school security and imposed gun control measures. They banned bump stocks and the sale of firearms to those under 21 and put a three-day waiting period on all firearm...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelFeb 19, 2021 at 8:26 amTALLAHASSEE — Three years after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland spurred a vocal group of students to demand gun law changes, the debate over firearms has been all but muted in the state Capitol.In the wake of the Feb. 14, 2018, shootings that left 17 students and faculty dead and another 17 wounded, lawmakers passed a bill that beefed up school security and imposed gun control measures. They banned bump stocks and the sale of firearms to those under 21 and put a three-day waiting period on all firearm...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelJan 21, 2021 at 12:20 pmTALLAHASSEE — A Tallahassee man was charged Thursday with making a false bomb threat against the Florida Capitol in the early hours of the morning.Tallahassee police arrested Mark Wayne Clark, 61, at the Corner Pocket bar less than three miles away from the Capitol.AdvertisementCapitol Police were made aware of the threat before 3 a.m., and began sweeping the building and surrounding Capitol complex, but no explosive device was found.The building was closed to state workers until 9 a.m. “out of an abundance of caution,” according to...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelJan 21, 2021 at 12:20 pmTALLAHASSEE — A Tallahassee man was charged Thursday with making a false bomb threat against the Florida Capitol in the early hours of the morning.Tallahassee police arrested Mark Wayne Clark, 61, at the Corner Pocket bar less than three miles away from the Capitol.AdvertisementCapitol Police were made aware of the threat before 3 a.m., and began sweeping the building and surrounding Capitol complex, but no explosive device was found.The building was closed to state workers until 9 a.m. “out of an abundance of caution,” according to...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelDec 11, 2020 at 12:52 pmTALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday slammed news media outlets for their coverage of the state police raid on Rebekah Jones’ home and said the former Department of Health data scientist “has issues.”His comments came after a panel discussion decrying the stigma over mental health issues.Advertisement“She was fired because she wasn’t doing a good job,” DeSantis said of Jones. “None of the stuff that she’s said was ever proven. You’d think that would be the end of it; obviously, she’s got issues.”DeSantis had just finished a...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelDec 11, 2020 at 12:52 pmTALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday slammed news media outlets for their coverage of the state police raid on Rebekah Jones’ home and said the former Department of Health data scientist “has issues.”His comments came after a panel discussion decrying the stigma over mental health issues.Advertisement“She was fired because she wasn’t doing a good job,” DeSantis said of Jones. “None of the stuff that she’s said was ever proven. You’d think that would be the end of it; obviously, she’s got issues.”DeSantis had just finished a...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 24, 2021 at 8:00 amTALLAHASSEE – A plan in the Legislature to prohibit the arrest of children younger than 7 in most instances, inspired by an incident involving an Orlando 6-year-old in 2019, is once again caught up in a larger bill in the last days of the legislative session.The measure died last year in the final days of the session because it was part of a school safety bill that tanked amid disagreements between House and Senate leaders. This year, the provision is contained in a comprehensive police reform bill that Black lawmakers especially have...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 24, 2021 at 8:00 amTALLAHASSEE – A plan in the Legislature to prohibit the arrest of children younger than 7 in most instances, inspired by an incident involving an Orlando 6-year-old in 2019, is once again caught up in a larger bill in the last days of the legislative session.The measure died last year in the final days of the session because it was part of a school safety bill that tanked amid disagreements between House and Senate leaders. This year, the provision is contained in a comprehensive police reform bill that Black lawmakers especially have...WW…