Florida Senate

A Florida Senate Committee passed a measure urging Congress to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, or DACA.

A bill that addresses Florida’s collapsing film industry was presented at a press conference Wednesday. If successful, its sponsors hope it will create a new era of filmmaking within the sunshine state.

Senator Jack Latvala is resigning after two separate reports condemned his behavior toward women in the legislative process.

The Florida Senate is mired in controversy after a top democratic member admitted to an affair with a lobbyist and resigned.  Budget chief and gubernatorial hopeful Jack Latvala is interested in ethics reform—but says legislating morality is a dead end.

The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill approving the remaining payment of $3.75 million to the surviving victim in a child abuse case. 

Workers have spent months renovating the Florida Senate chambers. Nick Evans was on hand Monday for the unveiling.

Florida’s Senate chambers is a shell of its former self.  Crews are working on the first full renovation since the late 1970s.

Florida’s budget is set for this year. Governor Rick Scott signed the state budget Thursday, totaling $82 billion. 

A bill that would give juveniles more leniency passed its second Senate committee Wednesday. But law enforcement officials don’t want it to pass.

Legislation is heading to the House floor that would give Florida utilities a break from construction costs. Critics claim it could end up costing taxpayers more.

Florida is halfway through its legislative session. But the House and Senate have a lot to do before they leave the Capitol.

Update:  The House passed both open carry and campus carry. But both bills face slim chances in the Senate.

Florida’s senators want to drop the confederate flag from the chamber’s seal.  The proposed rule change passed committee Thursday unanimously.

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner sailed through the beginning of his Senate confirmation hearings Monday, but not before navigating a few crosswinds. As Jim Ash reports, Governor Rick Scott’s choice for the state’s top elections officer was never really in jeopardy.

More children could soon be allowed to sign up for the low-income health insurance program, KidCare.

SB 282 will eliminate a five-year waiting period for legal immigrant children to get healthcare.  It will allow nearly 30,000 low-income, legally residing children to participate in the KidCare insurance program.  Bill sponsor, Sen. Rene Garcia of Miami, says the proposal is long overdue and will not cost the state much money.

When public servants and lawmakers officially start their new terms in office they take an oath. It’s been the same since Florida became a state in 1845. But some people are still confused about the first few words.

This year, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labara officiated the swearing in ceremony at the Florida Senate. As a circuit judge he's also administered the oath to people testifying in court.

It always starts in pretty much the same way--with the words "I  solemnly swear or affirm."

The Florida Senate met Tuesday in what’s called an organizational session to set rules and fill leadership positions for the upcoming legislative session.  As lawmakers welcomed one another back to Tallahassee, they also bid farewell to a long-time Republican powerbroker.

On Monday, the Florida Senate easily elected Sen. Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) as its new Democratic leader.

She says her goals for the 2015 legislative session include working across the aisle with Republican leadership on water, education and prison reform. Still, she says there will be some partisan issues.

“It’s to be expected because we’re the loyal minority, and we’re going to fight for our people,” said Joyner. “I mean, it’s only natural that ideologically wise we’re on different points on some of the issues.”

Update: 9:40 p.m: The Florida House and Senate have approved an expansion of the state's corporate tax scholarship "voucher" program and are sending the bill to Governor Rick Scott. The Senate approved its version of the bill early Friday sending it to the House--where lawmakers delayed in passing the bill over concerns it takes away the special diploma option for disabled students.

Thursday the Senate Regulated Industries Committee heard a bill that would allow supermarkets and big box stores to sell liquor. 

“Part of the bill are two components the first eliminates a state mandate on the separate location and entry for the sale of one class of alcoholic beverage,” says Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). 

He says supermarkets shouldn’t need a separate establishment to shelve liquor.

Florida would be the 18th state to allow distilled spirits to be sold in grocery stores. At least one industry group views the proposal as a step forward.

A bill aimed at overhauling Florida’s assisted living homes is back for the third year in a row. The proposal, aimed at cracking down on unlicensed facilities, has previously been okayed by the Senate but failed in the House.