State News

Court Rulings Send Legislature Back To The Drawing Board

Lynn Hatter — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:15:40 +0000

Florida’s 2013 lawmaking session is slowly fading into the mists of history. But although lawmakers may have finished their work, some of what they did or didn’t do could prompt much more work on the part of the state’s courts. It’s a bit like a game of legal ping pong.

Florida used to have a law that fined people whose car radios could be heard more than 25 feet away. Last year, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of a man who challenged that law. The verdict? Turn it up.

Battle Over Florida Prison Health Privatization Continues...Where Will It Lead?

Sascha Cordner — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:12 +0000

It could take weeks before a Florida appeals court decides whether to allow the Florida Department of Corrections to move forward with privatizing the prison health care services in several Florida regions. It’s all part of a continuing legal battle between the department and unions representing employees who fear they’ll lose their state jobs.

Florida's Tourism Is Up, Unemployment Is Down

Ryan Benk — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:41:29 +0000

Tourism has close to $70 billion in economic impact on the state of Florida and in the last two years, the Sunshine State has broken tourism records. Now, the state’s visitors have hit an all-time high for the first quarter of 2013.

“For the month of April Florida’s unemployment rate has dropped to 7.2 percent which puts us once again, below the national average.”

Florida's Unemployment Rate Drops For 30th Consecutive Month

Ryan Benk — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:34:14 +0000

The state of Florida has seen its 30^th consecutive month of declining unemployment rates. The jobless rate is the lowest the state has seen since September of 2008.

The jobless rate for the month of April was 7.2 %, down from March’s rate of seven and a half. Most of Florida’s employment gains come from the hospitality and trade industries and coincides with a record breaking quarter for tourism. Governor Rick Scott took credit for the falling rate and said businesses are thriving under his administration.

Florida Gets 'D' Grade For Political Spending Disclosure

Jessica Palombo — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:13:51 +0000

Despite sweeping campaign-finance reform this year, a new scorecard from the National Institute on Money In State Politics gives Florida a D grade for disclosure requirements. State rankings are based on how well the public can follow non-campaign money spent to elect politicians.