Florida businesses will see a third consecutive cut in annual workers compensation rates in 2020 – a 7.5 percent slash that exceeds a national insurance bureau’s recommended decrease by more than 2 percent.

Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier issued an order cutting workers’ compensation insurance rates by a 7.5 percent beginning Jan. 1.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) – which provides rating metrics on behalf of insurance companies – suggested in August that the state reduce workers’ compensation rates by 5.4 percent.

Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the site of the Caloosahatchee (C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir to break ground on the embankments and canals, a project that will complete this Everglades restoration project which was built mostly during former Gov. Rick Scott's watch.

DeSantis was joined by members of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as well as conservation groups, local community leaders and other environmental stakeholders.

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is one of two names at the top of President Donald Trump's list to handle White House communications for the impeachment probe, a person familiar with the deliberations told Reuters Friday. He was speaking on condition of anonymity.

The news service reports that Bondi and former Treasury Department spokesman Tony Sayegh are the top contenders for the job of coordinating the White House response and messaging on the Democratic-led impeachment effort in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Two prominent Republican senators will push to require Florida private employers to use the E-Verify system to check the immigration status of new workers, as the presidential election kicks into full swing next year.

The bill, filed Thursday by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, and Sarasota Sen. Joe Gruters, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, is expected to draw heated and emotional debate over immigration during the 2020 legislative session.

Last week, the Climate Solutions Caucus--which was founded by two South Florida congressmen-expanded to the U.S. Senate.

Founded by U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., and Ted Deutch, D-Fla., at the start of 2016, the Climate Solutions Caucus defines it mission as “to educate members on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and to explore bipartisan policy options that address the impacts, causes, and challenges of our changing climate. 

This week, U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., introduced a proposal to reform the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) trust fund.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who captained his university’s baseball team, backed California-style legislation Thursday that would allow Florida college athletes to cash in on their names and images.

DeSantis told reporters he supports the direction of bills filed for the 2020 legislative session that propose what he said is needed reform for college athletes.

Calling the legislation a “reasonable path forward,” DeSantis said he thinks lawmakers should tackle the proposals during the session that starts Jan. 14.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced Thursday $1.4 billion for the reconstruction of the I-275/SR 60 Westshore Area Interchange in Tampa. The project is set to take place in fiscal year 2023-2024.

Heeding the pleas of parents whose children were slaughtered in the state’s worst school shooting, the Florida Senate delivered a major victory Wednesday to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis by removing embattled Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel from office.

DeSantis, as a candidate for governor last year, pledged to oust the Democratic sheriff for failures associated with the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 14 students and three staff members dead and another 17 people injured.

Looking at a tough race next year, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., looked to showcase his record on Medicare this week, even as Democrats took aim at his vote on a prescription drugs bill. 

On Wednesday, Buchanan, a member of the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, highlighted his support for three bills expanding Medicare. From his seat on the committee, Buchanan threw his seat behind legislation expanding Medicare coverage to include hearing aids, dental care and vision services.