State News – Page 15 – Capital Outlook

House proposes major voucher expansion

January 30, 2023

A proposed school choice bill would allow families to use voucher money on things such as tutoring expenses and instructional materials.Photo special to the Outlook By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida Calling it a move toward “universal choice,” House Speaker Paul Renner announced a proposal that would make every student

State tax collections top projection

January 6, 2023

Brad O’Connor By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Hurricane recovery efforts helped November tax collections in Florida, as housing sales waned and people continued to dip into savings amid high inflation. A report recently released estimated that general-revenue collections were 14.1 percent higher than projected for November. The report by

10 big legal battles to watch in 2023

January 6, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to decide whether to take up a case about a Florida law that would place restrictions on large social-media companies.U.S. Supreme Court photo By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida From abortion to Big Tech to guns, Florida heads into 2023 with courts weighing high-profile

New year brings lobbying restrictions, toll breaks

January 6, 2023

Starting this month, homeowners won’t be able to sign over claims to contractors, who pursue payments from insurers.Photo special to the Outlook By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Beefed up lobbying restrictions and breaks for motorists who frequently use toll roads are among state laws and other changes that will

Court overturns ruling in football player’s death

January 6, 2023

Nick Blakely By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida A state appeals court sided with a family that filed a lawsuit against Stetson University over the death of a 19-year-old football player who collapsed on the sideline during a 2017 practice. A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal

Schools revising student support guides

January 6, 2023

Leon County Superintendent of Schools Rocky Hanna addressed Board of Education concerns a student support guide.Photo by St. Clair Murraine By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida Ten school districts whose LGBTQ support guides and other policies were called into question by the state Board of Education are in various stages

Suicide apparent in death of Board of Governors member

December 28, 2022

Kent Stermon By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida Kent Stermon, a Jacksonville-area businessman and member of the state university system’s Board of Governors, was found dead in an apparent suicide, law enforcement officials confirmed. Stermon was found last Thursday night “deceased, alone in a locked vehicle” in the parking lot

COVID-19 shots could lead to grand jury probe

December 28, 2022

Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of his administration claim that COVID-19 vaccines have lead to deaths.Photo special to the Outlook By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida Saying that COVID-19 vaccines have been “pushed on Americans,” Gov. Ron DeSantis asked the state Supreme Court to impanel a grand jury to investigate

DeSantis signs insurance, hurricane bills

December 28, 2022

Gov. Ron DeSantis By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Anticipating the need for more legislation about the state’s troubled property-insurance system, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed bills intended to stabilize the insurance industry and provide $751.5 million for people and communities recovering from hurricanes. DeSantis signed the bills last Friday, two

Altmaier steps down as insurance commissioner

December 28, 2022

David Altmaier By Jim Saunders and Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida After lawmakers passed an overhaul of the state’s property-insurance system, Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier submitted his resignation to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Altmaier, who made the resignation effective Dec. 28, has been Florida’s top insurance regulator since 2016. The