by John Haughey, The Center Square | May 06, 2021 11:00 AM Print this article
After the state’s unemployment system collapsed leaving hundreds of thousands of suddenly jobless Floridians waiting weeks to receive benefit payments, lawmakers from both parties called for a special session last spring to address the “unemployment fiasco.”
There was bipartisan urgency and consensus the system needed to be upgraded – as did the state’s $275 weekly unemployment payout and 12-week eligibility span, both the most meager in the nation.
But Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP statehouse leaders nixed the special session and, by the time lawmakers convened their 2021 session in March, restructuring unemployment faded as a priority against a backdrop of initiatives, such as an anti-riot bill and measures penalizing social media companies, banning vaccine passports and transgender athletes from girls sports, and imposing restrictions on vote-by-mail rules.
Lawmakers react to DeSantis signing controversial Florida voting bill May 6, 2021 at 12:11 PM EDT - Updated May 6 at 12:36 PM
Republicans, Democrats and other organizations are sounding off following the
signing Thursday of Florida s new controversial election law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in West Palm Beach.
The legislation was signed into law
behind closed doors at the Hilton hotel near the Palm Beach International Airport with Fox News being the only media outlet allowed to attend.
The law has been denounced by Democrats and voter rights advocates, saying it will unfairly target minority groups and create barriers for people to cast their ballot. However, Republicans say the new law increases integrity & transparency in Florida s voting laws.
Advocacy groups and Florida residents are sending emails urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto bills just approved by the Legislature, regardless of whether the measures were overwhelmingly backed by lawmakers or eked through.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signs a law that immediately enhances criminal penalties for crimes committed during protests that turn violent.
TALLAHASSEE - Veto season, or at least the annual rite of asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to reject bills, has arrived after the 2021 legislative session.
Groups and individuals are sending emails to the governor’s office urging DeSantis to veto or sign bills, regardless of whether the measures were overwhelmingly backed by the Legislature or eked through.
Some of the loudest calls have come against measures that would impose new election rules (SB 90); impose a ban on transgender females playing on girls’ and women’s sports teams (SB 1028); overturn a referendum in Key West that restricted cruise ships (SB 1194); limit impact fees that developers pay to local governments (HB 337); and block local governments from banning gas stations or mandating that the retailers offer such things as electric-vehicle charging stations (HB 839).
Last Call for 5.5.21 â A prime-time read of whatâs going down in Florida politics
Last Call â A prime-time read of whatâs going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Senate President
Wilton Simpson and House Speaker
Chris Sprowls announced Wednesday that the Legislature will convene May 17-21 to consider the proposed new Seminole Compact.
In a memo, Sprowls said House committee meetings would be held May 17-18. Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee is set to take up the proposal May 17 and consider it on the chamber floor May 18.
The new compact, which the Governor and Seminole Tribe hammered out last month, would boost state revenues by an estimated $2.5 billion over five years and by $6 billion through 2030.