The Florida Supreme Court declared a proposed amendment to legalize recreational marijuana “misleading,” effectively ending the issue’s chances of getting on the ballot in 2022 and perhaps for good. If the GOP-controlled Legislature’s proposed changes to the state’s ballot initiative process become law, any future initiative would have an even bigger obstacle to overcome, said Miami attorney Ben Pollara, a supporter of legal marijuana. Advertisement “It’s unfortunate because I think Floridians would legalize marijuana for adult use tomorrow if given the opportunity,” said Pollara, who...…The Florida Supreme Court declared a proposed amendment to legalize recreational marijuana “misleading,” effectively ending the issue’s chances of getting on the ballot in 2022 and perhaps for good. If the GOP-controlled Legislature’s proposed changes to the state’s ballot initiative process become law, any future initiative would have an even bigger obstacle to overcome, said Miami attorney Ben Pollara, a supporter of legal marijuana. Advertisement “It’s unfortunate because I think Floridians would legalize marijuana for adult use tomorrow if given the opportunity,” said Pollara, who...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 22, 2021 at 8:01 amAn Orlando civil rights attorney filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Orange County Sheriff John Mina in what may be the first legal challenge to Florida’s “anti-riot” law that went into effect this week.The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Orlando by attorney Aaron Carter Bates on behalf of the Lawyers Matter Task Force, a nonprofit advocacy group.AdvertisementThe suit claims that the law, signed by DeSantis on Monday, violates several provisions of the U.S....…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 22, 2021 at 8:01 amAn Orlando civil rights attorney filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Orange County Sheriff John Mina in what may be the first legal challenge to Florida’s “anti-riot” law that went into effect this week.The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Orlando by attorney Aaron Carter Bates on behalf of the Lawyers Matter Task Force, a nonprofit advocacy group.AdvertisementThe suit claims that the law, signed by DeSantis on Monday, violates several provisions of the U.S....WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 21, 2021 at 4:54 pmGov. Ron DeSantis implied that the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial could have happened because “the jury is scared of what a mob may do.”DeSantis, a lawyer and former Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Navy, was asked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night if fear of violence caused the jury to convict the former Minneapolis police officer of the murder of George Floyd.AdvertisementShe played video of an unnamed person in New York stating, “If you continue to allow us to be murdered in the streets without justice, we...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 21, 2021 at 4:54 pmGov. Ron DeSantis implied that the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial could have happened because “the jury is scared of what a mob may do.”DeSantis, a lawyer and former Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Navy, was asked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night if fear of violence caused the jury to convict the former Minneapolis police officer of the murder of George Floyd.AdvertisementShe played video of an unnamed person in New York stating, “If you continue to allow us to be murdered in the streets without justice, we...WW…

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 16, 2021 at 3:39 pmGov. Ron DeSantis said Florida’s maximum $275 unemployment benefit is “fine” and rejected bipartisan efforts in the Legislature to raise it.A bill introduced by state Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, would increase weekly benefits by $100 to $375 a week and has received support from Republicans and Democrats alike.AdvertisementBut asked about it on Friday, DeSantis dismissed the idea to increase what is one of the lowest jobless payouts in the nation.“Increased benefits?” DeSantis said. “Well, no. ... Our unemployment is what it is, it’s...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 16, 2021 at 3:39 pmGov. Ron DeSantis said Florida’s maximum $275 unemployment benefit is “fine” and rejected bipartisan efforts in the Legislature to raise it.A bill introduced by state Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, would increase weekly benefits by $100 to $375 a week and has received support from Republicans and Democrats alike.AdvertisementBut asked about it on Friday, DeSantis dismissed the idea to increase what is one of the lowest jobless payouts in the nation.“Increased benefits?” DeSantis said. “Well, no. ... Our unemployment is what it is, it’s...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 13, 2021 at 10:42 amGov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday the state will heed the federal government’s recommendation to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, but he added any risk appeared minimal and urged Floridians to get the one-dose shot if and when it becomes available again.“I don’t think people should be freaking out,” said DeSantis, who received the J&J vaccine earlier this month.Advertisement“I think that what they’re doing is out of an abundance of caution,” he said at a press conference in Manatee County. “I don’t think...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 13, 2021 at 10:42 amGov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday the state will heed the federal government’s recommendation to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, but he added any risk appeared minimal and urged Floridians to get the one-dose shot if and when it becomes available again.“I don’t think people should be freaking out,” said DeSantis, who received the J&J vaccine earlier this month.Advertisement“I think that what they’re doing is out of an abundance of caution,” he said at a press conference in Manatee County. “I don’t think...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 12, 2021 at 4:31 pmAfter YouTube took down a video last week of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ coronavirus roundtable because of misinformation about mask-wearing, DeSantis doubled down Monday and invited those same panelists back to the state Capitol for more discussion.The move plays into DeSantis’ recent push to punish “big tech” for censorship of conservatives, as well as continuing to cement DeSantis’ status as the top Republican advocate against anti-COVID-19 measures and a potential GOP nominee for president in 2024.AdvertisementThe most controversial panelist...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 12, 2021 at 4:31 pmAfter YouTube took down a video last week of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ coronavirus roundtable because of misinformation about mask-wearing, DeSantis doubled down Monday and invited those same panelists back to the state Capitol for more discussion.The move plays into DeSantis’ recent push to punish “big tech” for censorship of conservatives, as well as continuing to cement DeSantis’ status as the top Republican advocate against anti-COVID-19 measures and a potential GOP nominee for president in 2024.AdvertisementThe most controversial panelist...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 08, 2021 at 9:17 amFor the second day in a row, Gov. Ron DeSantis took to the podium to attack CBS News and “60 Minutes” over its Sunday story on vaccine favoritism in Florida, this time for an entire press conference held without taking questions.Shortly afterward, a DeSantis spokeswoman said the governor had privately received his vaccination shot, . It was later disclosed by the Associated Press that the governor received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine last week.AdvertisementMany public officials have gotten inoculated on camera to...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 08, 2021 at 9:17 amFor the second day in a row, Gov. Ron DeSantis took to the podium to attack CBS News and “60 Minutes” over its Sunday story on vaccine favoritism in Florida, this time for an entire press conference held without taking questions.Shortly afterward, a DeSantis spokeswoman said the governor had privately received his vaccination shot, . It was later disclosed by the Associated Press that the governor received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine last week.AdvertisementMany public officials have gotten inoculated on camera to...WW…

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 26, 2021 at 4:58 pmFlorida will only gain one new seat in Congress in 2022, not two, the U.S. Census Bureau revealed Monday.The lower-than-expected apportionment comes after months of concern that the Trump administration’s early census deadlines, thwarted attempts to add a citizenship question and the COVID-19 pandemic might have caused a major undercount of Florida’s population.AdvertisementFlorida’s population rose about 15% from about 18.8 million in 2010 to 21.5 million in 2020. In addition to having 28 congressional seats instead of 27, the state...…AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelApr 26, 2021 at 4:58 pmFlorida will only gain one new seat in Congress in 2022, not two, the U.S. Census Bureau revealed Monday.The lower-than-expected apportionment comes after months of concern that the Trump administration’s early census deadlines, thwarted attempts to add a citizenship question and the COVID-19 pandemic might have caused a major undercount of Florida’s population.AdvertisementFlorida’s population rose about 15% from about 18.8 million in 2010 to 21.5 million in 2020. In addition to having 28 congressional seats instead of 27, the state...WW…