Anna Eskamani

The "rape loophole" bill would increase the penalty for raping a woman while intoxicated to a first-degree felony with up to a 30-year prison sentence, up from a second-degree felony and as many as 15 years in prison.

Democratic lawmakers are alarmed about a proposed amendment that requires school staff to notify parents within six weeks of the child’s disclosure even if officials think the student would face abuse, abandonment or neglect as a result.

The proposal, among other things, would boost overall funding for public schools and includes a pay increase of 5.3% for state workers.

After the Senate passed measures last month, the House approved two companion proposals Thursday to create a $500 million pot of money the governor can quickly access during a declared state of emergency.

They say working-class Floridians will see few direct benefits without increased funding in areas including affordable housing, nursing, and education.

“It is a growing community that has often been ignored and neglected, and we want to change that,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.

DeSantis critized the Biden adminstration, saying “they have revoked policies designed to secure our border and keep Americans safe.” State Democrats call it a political stunt.

State and business officials have argued that the $300 a week in federal aid is keeping people from returning to jobs.

Said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando: “I don’t care how many times you tell yourself this is about women’s sports and not LGBTQ rights or discrimination, because that is wrong,”

The Senate Rules Committee will also consider a less stringent version today.

The report said officials were aware of abuses at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala since 2006.

President Trump steered many of Florida's Latino voters away from voting for president-elect Joe Biden and other state Democrats by painting them as socialists, guest Sabrina Rodriguez said.