masks

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday continued his long-running criticism of the federal government and major medical organizations about issues such as COVID vaccinations.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and other Republicans from across the country urged an appeals court this week to uphold a federal judge’s ruling that blocked a mask requirement on airplanes and other forms of transportation during the pandemic.

Breaking from efforts by Florida lawmakers to punish school districts that imposed mask mandates during the pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday directed Florida’s new education commissioner to ignore a plan that would have made the districts ineligible for $200 million.

Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit challenging requirements that people wear masks in airports and on planes, trains and buses. The requirement is in effect until April 18th.

Leon County Superintendent Rocky Hanna addressed Florida lawmakers Tuesday as they discussed education funding. He asked them to reconsider a plan to cut $200 million from a dozen school districts that defied the state’s rule against mask mandates.

Flush with federal cash and higher-than-expected tax collections, key House and Senate committees Wednesday moved forward with budget proposals that are about $3.3 billion apart.

School boards have moved quickly to appeal an administrative law judge’s decision that upheld a Florida Department of Health rule aimed at preventing student mask requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pointing to a “hierarchy” that requires school districts to follow state laws and rules, the Florida Department of Health is asking a judge to toss out a challenge by six school boards to a rule that seeks to prevent student mask mandates during the pandemic.

The State Board of Education on Thursday ratcheted up discipline against eight county school boards that have maintained student mask mandates to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Some school districts that have imposed student mask requirements aren’t backing down, despite state threats of financial penalties and a revamped Florida Department of Health rule aimed at bolstering parental choice on masks.