State

Taking one more cut at new licensure rules

(The Center Square) – Crime convictions three years before applying for barber or cosmetologist licensure would not be held against the applicants under a proposal from an Orlando state senator.

Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, said she is "giving these important common sense policies that represent my constituency’s interests one last push towards the finish line.” Senate Bill 42 is similar to past efforts that have failed in the last two legislative sessions.

Report gives Florida nation's best overall grade for education freedom

(The Center Square) — After a legislative session where Florida lawmakers passed universal school choice, the state was recognized as the nation's best in a recent report for its policies on education 

The nonprofit American Legislative Exchange Council, which previously published the Report Card on American Education over the past 25 years, has a new publication, The Index of State Education Freedom: A 50-State Guide to Parental Empowerment.

Applications for limited recreational harvest of goliath grouper in state waters open Oct. 1

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will begin accepting applications for the second annual limited harvest season of goliath grouper in state waters. Those interested can apply anytime from Oct. 1-15, 2023, for the upcoming 2024 season. 

Report ranks Florida third for solar power implementation

(The Center Square) — The Sunshine State is quickly outpacing the rest of the country as a top solar energy installer, which looks to continue in coming years.

According to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida was ranked third in the country in 2022 behind Texas and California, installing around 12,000 megawatts of generation capacity since 2013, enough to power 1.51 million homes.

Tampa-St. Pete up next with taxpayer dollars funding half a stadium project

(The Center Square) – Taxpayers in St. Petersburg are next to see if their dollars put to use for a major sports stadium reap the benefits as promised.

The executive director of the nonprofit group Florida Taxwatch and an economics professor at Temple University say it's not always the case.

DeSantis announces implementation of Florida’s Prescription Drug Reform Act

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Governor Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida Cabinet approved rules to implement several provisions of the Prescription Drug Reform Act (SB 1550). The rules approved increase accountability among pharmaceutical middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).