Statewide News

Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner discussed the 2024 legislative session Friday. PHOTO/MIKE EXLINE, NSF

Lawmakers pass $117.46 billion budget at end of legislative session

Jim Saunders
Thursday, March 14, 2024
TALLAHASSEE—After a flurry of last-minute votes on bills, Florida lawmakers Friday passed a $117.46 billion state budget and ended the 2024 legislative session. House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, gaveled the 60-day session to a close at 2:25 p.m., before going to the rotunda between the House and Senate for a traditional hanky-drop ceremony.
The 2024 session came to a close on time, with lawmakers approving a $117.46 billion spending plan to finalize a session that the Senate president touted as targeting “kitchen-table issues” and the House speaker said “addressed the real needs of Floridians.”

SUNDAY SHOWCASE -- That's a wrap!

Ryan Dailey
Sunday, March 10, 2024

The 2024 session came to a close on time, with lawmakers approving a $117.46 billion spending plan to finalize a session that the Senate president touted as targeting “kitchen-table issues” and the

The bill, in part, would prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts.

Lawmakers pass social media crackdown

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

(News Service of Florida): TALLAHASSEE — With one lawmaker likening social media to a “dark alley,” the Florida House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that seeks to keep

Opponents described the bill as “government overreach” and said parents should make decisions about whether children use social media.

Senate passes social media curbs

Jim Saunders
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Amid a debate about the role of government and parental rights, the Florida Senate on Thursday passed a bill that seeks to keep children under age 16 off social-media platforms.

The package would be about half the amount of the $1.3 billion in tax breaks provided during the current fiscal year

State House pitches $647.3M tax package

Jim Turner
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA — With legislative leaders saying they expect a tighter budget in the coming year, the House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday will roll out a package of tax cuts that, i
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