TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), a prominent hospitality trade association in the state, issued a statement following Governor Ron DeSantis' veto of SB 280. The bill was designed to establish fairness between hotels and unregulated short-term rentals across Florida.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Thomas Hobbs and Brian McElfatrick to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Internal Investigations Section is undergoing an assessment to retain accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The assessment, required every three years, will review the OIG’s compliance with approximately 49 standards.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the criminalization of homelessness following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis awarded $1,000 bonus checks to all Hope Navigators through the Hope Florida Fund. Additionally, six Navigators received $2,500 bonus checks for their outstanding performance in assisting people in need. The total amount awarded exceeded $175,000.
Tipping might seem like a simple exchange—a thank you for good service with a few extra dollars. However, beneath the surface lies a complex economy that impacts everyone in a restaurant, from operators to dishwashers. Understanding how tipping affects each role can reveal its significant impact on employee retention.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, is urging the United States Senate to pass the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act (ICC Act). The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis, aims to deter the International Criminal Court from asserting unlawful authority.
AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis, accompanied by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), announced several fully-funded and ahead-of-schedule transportation projects aimed at increasing capacity and reducing congestion in Florida. The state continues to experience record growth and tourism. According to Governor DeSantis, Florida's financial management allows it to self-fund these initiatives, contrasting with other states that rely on federal funding tied to political conditions.
Orlando, FL – Following the Governor’s veto of HB 133, Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) expressed her disappointment over the decision to reject a bill aimed at assisting non-violent offenders. The bill on licensure for barbers and cosmetology specialists, unanimously supported by the legislature (31-0 Senate and 114-0 House), sought to prevent the Florida Board of Cosmetology from using a history of non-violent incarceration as grounds for denying licenses. It aimed to offer crucial support and opportunities for rehabilitation, helping individuals reintegrate into society...
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida 2030 Blueprint aims to elevate Florida to the 10th largest economy globally by 2030. Within this framework, the "Talent Supply and Education" pillar is identified as crucial for achieving this vision.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed four bills: CS/HB 133 – Professional Licensing Requirements for Barbers and Cosmetologists; CS/CS/HB 473 – Cybersecurity Incident Liability; CS/CS/SB 165 – Sampling of Beach Waters and Public Bathing Spaces; and SB 1078 – Public Records.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites the public to attend the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area 10-year Land Management Plan public hearing on Wednesday, July 24. The hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Vista Chambers, located at 2300 N Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL, 33411.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has reintroduced its TrophyCatch pink tag contest, where biologists have tagged and released trophy-sized bass with bright pink tags across various locations in the state. The first bass captured in each pink tag location offers thousands of dollars in prizes.
Operation Dry Water is a year-round national effort to educate recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A heightened enforcement weekend from July 4-6 will see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other law enforcement partners focusing efforts on Boating Under the Influence (BUI) detection and enforcement. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 30-year prison sentence for Chrystal Washburn, owner of Amore Pools, in connection with a million-dollar pool contracting scheme. The Honorable Judge Dan L. Vaughn delivered the sentence following Washburn's conviction for defrauding Florida homeowners.