State News – Page 30 – Capital Outlook

Senate scraps alimony overhaul effort

April 30, 2021

Sen. Joe Gruters By Dara KamNews Service of Florida Senate Republican leaders have dropped a perennially controversial effort to overhaul the state’s alimony laws, saying they’ll take another stab at a revamp during next year’s legislative session. For nearly a decade, efforts to rewrite Florida’s alimony laws have touched off

College COVID-19 legal protection approved

April 30, 2021

Rep. Jackie Toledo By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida The Florida House passed a wide-ranging higher education bill that, in part, would protect colleges and universities from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Sponsor Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, said the bill (HB 1261), passed in a 92-22 vote last Wednesday, “prioritizes students and families.” Some

Analysis

April 30, 2021

For parents, school choicescholarships are a dream come true Angela Kennedy By Angela KennedySpecial to the Outlook Florida school choice scholarships are a dream come true for hundreds of thousands of parents, including tens of thousands of families in the underserved population. Clear evidence shows scholarship students getting strong academic

Protest crackdown faces constitutional challenge

April 30, 2021

One of several rallies over the last six months was held in front of City Hall last fall.Photo by St. Clair Murraine By Dara KamNews Service of Florida Civil-rights attorneys are challenging a new set of state laws that establish a crime of “mob intimidation” and enhance penalties for riot-related

Justices reject recreational pot amendment

April 30, 2021

A proposed amendment on recreational marijuana was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court.Photo special to the Outlook By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida The Florida Supreme Court rejected a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at allowing people to use recreational marijuana, saying it would be misleading to voters. Backers of

Telling their story

April 30, 2021

Delta Sigma Theta Sororitycelebrates its Tallahassee heritage A huge virtual audience listened in as the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority celebrated its heritage.Screen shots submitted By St. Clair MurraineOutlook staff writer Every bit of the theme “Let me tell you our story” played out virtually during the

DeSantis down on increased jobless benefits

April 23, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed opposition to a Senate proposal that would increase unemployment benefits, as Florida’s jobless rate held steady at 4.7 percent in March. Asked about a Senate bill that would increase maximum state benefits from $275 a week to $375

House plan on police standards move forward

April 23, 2021

Rep. Ramon Alexander Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida A bipartisan proposal to add hiring standards and bolster use-of-force training for police and correctional officers began moving forward in the House. With the measure deemed a starting point for further talks, the Judiciary Committee last Thursday unanimously supported the proposal (PCB

State plans cleanup of old phosphate plant

April 23, 2021

A leak in a reservoir at Piney Point forced an evacuation of nearby residents after Gov. Ron DeSantis declared an emergency in three counties earlier this month.Photo special to the Outlook Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida The state expects to put more than $115 million toward closing the site of

Appeals court rules against Epstein victims

April 23, 2021

Judge Kevin Newsom Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida While describing the circumstances of the case as a “tale of national disgrace,” a federal appeals court ruled against one of notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s victims who contended that prosecutors violated her rights. Courtney Wild, one of the late financier’s numerous