Florida Senate

Wauchula Republican Sen. Albritton said he expects to focus during the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions on issues involving agriculture and the child-protective system.

The proposal and its House counterpart have drawn controversy for their efforts to crack down on undocumented immigrants.

The Florida Senate moved forward with a package that would provide $973 million in tax breaks next fiscal year.

It comes as a similar bill, HB 999, is primed to go before the full House.

The number of employees and residents were reduced as COVID spread. This week, Bob Asztalos with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs tells a state Senate committee that wages are finally competitive and people are being rehired.

Florida Democrats will fight for affordable health care, affordable housing and lower property insurance rates, says state Rep. Fentrice Driskell.

The law bars instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo suggests extending the law to include additional grades.

Several races around the greater Tampa Bay region were contested during the midterm elections and incumbents did well.

Republicans are just eight seats away from gaining two-thirds majorities in both the Florida House and Senate during Tuesday's general election.

Republicans have controlled the Florida Senate since the 1990s and are looking to expand their majority in the Nov. 8 elections. Democrats, meanwhile, hope to pick up a couple of seats and chip away at the GOP’s control.

The Florida Hospital Association said the House budget is harsher on hospitals, but said both chambers are proposing to eliminate funds for facilities that treat large numbers of Medicaid patients.

Abortion is currently legal in Florida up to 24 weeks of gestation. It is only allowed beyond that if the pregnancy threatens a woman's life and physical health.