Joe Gruters

The endorsement caused several Republicans who publicly expressed interest in running, like Escambia County Republican State Representative Michelle Salzman, to pull out of the race.

A bill filed by Sarasota lawmaker Joe Gruters would require repair shops to file reports before repairs begin.

Opponents say the state shouldn’t politicize school board elections.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he doesn't want union dues deducted from teachers' paychecks amid opposition from those who say it could make it harder for unions to get funded.

School board campaigns officially are non-partisan races, but this year — more than ever — politics is front and center. What’s at stake for parents, teachers, students and voters when state politics comes to public school boards?

In addition to the term limits, the bill headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis gives parents and members of the public increased access to the process of selecting and removing school library books and instructional materials.

This year, the legislation to set term limits has more momentum due to backlash over issues like school mask mandates, and teachings regarding LGBTQ kids and race and history.

Said bill sponsor Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota: “This is all about transparency and making sure that parents know exactly what's being taught in their schools.”

Sponsor Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said the change was made because “cigars and pipe smoking is such a small portion” of the problem.

Several people who testified in favor of the bill advocated for the removal of books that they said contained sexually explicit content or material that was not age-appropriate.

A Senate staff analysis of the bill said broadband access is available to 98% of the state’s urban areas and just 78.6% of rural areas.

The proposal mirrors a Texas law, dubbed the Star-Spangled Banner Protection Act, that went into effect in September.