Florida Legislature

SB 1718 would beef up requirements for businesses to check the immigration status of workers and require hospitals to collect data about whether patients are in the country legally.

The bill, passed by the House Friday, changes what is known as the state’s “resign-to-run” law and places more restrictions on voter-registration groups. Gov. Ron Desantis is expected to sign it into law.

A bill targeting illegal immigrants is a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis. A similar House bill is positioned to go to the full chamber.

The proposed bill would place additional restrictions on voter-registration groups and help clear the way for a potential White House bid by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida had a 42% increase in antisemitic incidents last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League. These incidents include flyers thrown in yards, roadside harassment, graffiti and messages projected onto buildings.

It would also ban the release of photographs, audio or video in all cases when a minor is killed by anyone, not just in domestic violence crimes.

Other anti-LGBTQ proposals are heading through the Florida Legislature. A march was held outside the state capitol Tuesday opposing the legislation.

It's one of the clearest signs yet that Gov. DeSantis plans to run for president in 2024.

Sadaf Knight, Florida Policy Institute's CEO, says the Live Local Act is a step in the right direction, but more still needs to be done to address affordable housing.

The House and Senate began putting together budget proposals to address such issues as Everglades restoration and land acquisition.

A recent report detailing problems with Florida’s patchwork mental health system had reached conclusions nearly identical to those of a similar report from more than 20 years ago. The echoes between the findings are unmistakable.

The groups filing briefs include Floridians for Reproductive Freedom, LatinoJustice, the National Council of Jewish Women, current and former local and state elected officials and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.