DeSantis announces $150 million for infrastructure improvements

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DeSantis announces $150 million for infrastructure improvements

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 16, 2021

Governor Ron DeSantis is awarding more than $148 million to Florida communities to make infrastructure improvements. At a news conference in Lakeland, DeSantis announced that $150 million was being awarded to communities through the Florida Department of Economic...

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Urban Search and Rescue Bill advances to Florida Senate floor

by Karen Murphy | Apr 16, 2021

Each time a tragedy strikes which involves the collapse of buildings teams of professionals, known as Structures Specialists (StS), are needed to volunteer their expertise to assist first responders by identifying safe points of entry and safe navigation of those...

Will Trump be on hand at DeSantis Palm Beach event?

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 16, 2021

Will former President Donald Trump make an appearance at an event featuring Governor Ron DeSantis later today in South Florida? According to Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN), a right-wing outlet stationed in Auburn, Alabama, the Florida governor has big plans...

Combating Public Disorder passes Senate, awaits Governor’s signature

by Karen Murphy | Apr 15, 2021

Today the Florida Senate passed the Combating Public Disorder or the Anti-Riot bill by a vote of 23 to 17 and it is heading to the Governor’s Office to be signed into law. There has been hours and hours of passionate debate about fears the bill infringes on the...

Carol Dover highlights COVID-19 impacts on Florida’s hospitality industry

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 15, 2021

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) shared its concerns over the state's hospitality labor shortage during a U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade and Export Promotion. On Tuesday, FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover testified before a newly...

Notice to property owners: According to attorney you’ll be paying more and getting less

by Karen Murphy | Apr 15, 2021

A south Florida attorney who represents insurance policy holders in disputes with insurance companies is warning Florida residents that the property insurance legislation making its way through the Florida Legislature will substantially diminish the rights of property...

Eyeing new revenue forecast and a 3.8 million nationwide home shortage, Realtors push to increase affordable housing funds

by Brian Burgess | Apr 15, 2021

Last week, the Florida Senate passed SB 2512, which, if signed into law in its current form, will carve out nearly a quarter of a billion dollars from Florida’s affordable housing trust fund this year alone, and in future years, will cut similar amounts from the fund...

Florida House passes legislation to ban transgender athletes from playing women’s sports

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 14, 2021

The Florida House passed legislation on Wednesday aimed at prohibiting transgender athletes from playing on girls' sports teams. The bill (HB 1475), which has been one of the most contentious issues this Legislative Session, passed by a 77-40 vote, preventing...

Poll: Florida voters support efforts to curb Big Tech’s influence

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 14, 2021

A poll sponsored by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce shows that a majority of Florida voters support efforts to limit the power and influence of big tech companies, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google and Amazon. The poll, conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling...

The Capitolist is looking to add a fourth reporter to our news team

by Brian Burgess | Apr 14, 2021

As we near the start of our sixth year, The Capitolist is planning yet another expansion to our coverage of news and events at the nexus of Florida's business, policy and political worlds. Our goal is to help our readers understand the people, the companies and the...

Senate could scale back Florida elections bill

by Dara Kam - News Service of Florida | Apr 14, 2021

TALLAHASSEE --- The Senate sponsor of a sweeping elections package is backing down from an effort to do away with ballot drop boxes, but critics maintain the proposal still contains unnecessary provisions that would make it harder for Floridians to vote by mail....

Were the words of the Governor and his panelists “dangerous” and “reckless”?

by Karen Murphy | Apr 13, 2021

Following Governor Ron DeSantis’ reconvening of his panel of health care experts yesterday to discuss the YouTube removal of video of the team’s March 21 round table discussion, Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner issued a sharp retort. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki...

DeSantis pushes pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine following federal recommendation

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 13, 2021

Following recommendations from state health officials, Governor Ron DeSantis is temporarily suspending Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. The pause comes "out of an abundance of caution" from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for...

Disney ranked eighth most reputable company in the world

by Karen Murphy | Apr 13, 2021

The Walt Disney Company was recently ranked as the eighth most reputable company in the world and second in the U.S. by the 2021 Global RepTrak 100, an annual gold-standard report on reputation and brand. Based on an analysis of millions of data points organized into...

Rural broadband bill gets extra attention from AT&T; recent FCC complaint may explain why

by Brian Burgess | Apr 12, 2021

One of Florida’s largest wireless carriers, AT&T, appears to be working overtime on the expansion of rural broadband internet service, but not in a way residents in Florida’s smaller towns might want. The work has little to do with helping rural residents stream...

“Orwellian” censorship discussed by DeSantis’ roundtable panel

by Karen Murphy | Apr 12, 2021

Governor Ron DeSantis reconvened his health care experts virtually today to discuss the recent censorship of the video of their March roundtable discussion on the pandemic. Google and YouTube say the video contained “dangerous” and “misleading information” about...

Senate places gaming structure on the table as gambling talks continue

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 12, 2021

The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries moved forward on Monday with a trio of bills that will lay the foundation for gaming regulations in Florida as officials continue to negotiate ways to expand Florida's gambling scene. Amid ongoing talks with the Seminole...

Four finalists nominated for Public Service Commission seat

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 12, 2021

The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council has submitted its final candidates to Governor Ron DeSantis to determine who will fill a vacant seat on the state's Public Service Commission (PSC). On Monday, the council narrowed the field down to four after...

Eight hours of passionate discussion resulted in passage of Anti-Riot bill by Senate committee

by Karen Murphy | Apr 12, 2021

The Florida Senate Committee for Appropriations is not a place known for high drama, but on Friday, its chair dedicated a full day to one bill. During that meeting, 65 residents from all over the state spoke passionately, almost threateningly. Senators gave moving,...

The Wrap: Data privacy disaster; DeSantis’s sales tax dilemma; Florida herd immunity?

by Brian Burgess | Apr 11, 2021

Every weekend, we take a look at the news stories shaping the conversations in Florida’s business, policy and political worlds. Here’s this weekend’s Capitolist wrap-up, which we call “The Wrap.” Data privacy bill improved last week, but it's still terrible Last...

Americans for Prosperity launches telehealth initiative in Florida

by Jordan Kirkland | Apr 9, 2021

Americans for Prosperity-Florida (AFP-FL) launched its statewide “Care You Can Call On” initiative on Friday, highlighting the growing grassroots support for legislation aimed at strengthening telehealth services for residents in the Sunshine State. The new...

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