Ted Yoho, Mike Waltz: Jacksonville, North Florida Will Benefit From Exporting Natural Gas

By

Kevin Derby

March 19, 2019 - 5:15pm

Two Republicans representing North Florida in Congress--U.S. Reps. Ted Yoho and Mike Waltz--are championing a proposal to expedite natural gas exports, insisting their bill will help the First Coast. 

 

Yoho brought out the “Small Scale LNG Access Act” on Monday which “will expedite the approval of natural gas exports equal to or less than 51.1 billion cubic feet per year.” Waltz is cosponsoring the bill. 

 

'Will of the Voters' Be Done: DeSantis Signs Medical Marijuana Bill

By

Sunshine State News

March 19, 2019 - 9:00am

Patients who get medical marijuana from their doctors will be able to smoke it legally, under a bill Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Monday.

 

DeSantis signed SB 182 “Medical Use of Marijuana” (Ch. 2019-1 SB 182, Laws of Florida). Additionally, he filed a joint motion to dismiss People United for Medical Marijuana v. Department of Health and to vacate the lower court decision which had held the prior law to be unconstitutional.

 

House Felons' Rights Plan Spurs Questions

By

Dara Kam News Service of Florida

March 19, 2019 - 9:00am

Hookers who’ve been convicted of prostitution three times, cyberstalkers and inmates who expose themselves to prison workers wouldn’t be eligible to have their voting rights automatically restored, under a House proposal aimed at carrying out a constitutional amendment approved in November.

 

Senate Eyes BP Money for Rural, Inland Damaged Areas

By

Jim Turner News Service of Florida

March 19, 2019 - 9:00am

Rural Panhandle counties recovering from Hurricane Michael would be in line to receive settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, under a bill advanced Monday in the Senate.

 

The Commerce and Tourism Committee backed a proposal (SB 1162) that would direct to inland rural counties about $5.3 million a year, which is 5 percent of the annual payments the state receives in a settlement with BP over impacts from the deadly offshore oil-rig explosion.

 

SFWMD Prepares for Deluge over Much of South Florida Tuesday

By

Sunshine State News

March 18, 2019 - 8:00pm

Rainfall totals as high as 4-6 inches are expected in major portions of the South Florida Water Management District's 16 counties on Tuesday, and SFWMD staff are preparing the system now by lowering canals to handle stormwater.

 

Watch the video on this page to see what the District is doing to get the regional flood control system ready to handle rainfall from the predicted upper level weather disturbance.

 

Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam Opens the Door to Presidential Bid

By

Kevin Derby

March 19, 2019 - 9:00am

Fresh off winning reelection earlier this month, Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam is ramping up his possible bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. 

 

Messam easily won a second term winning 86 percent of Miramar voters as 5,867 votes were cast in his favor. Last week, he launched an exploratory committee, showcasing his record in office and highlight his biography. 

 

What's Going on the Week of March 17

By

News Service of Florida

March 18, 2019 - 7:00am

When lawmakers meet each year, they consider hundreds of bills. But they only have one must-do: pass a state budget.

 

The outlines of a 2019-2020 budget will start to take shape during the coming week as House and Senate appropriations subcommittees discuss initial spending plans for areas such as education, health care and the environment.

 

Oliva Has a Bargaining Chip: Galvano Needs House Sponsor for His 3 Toll Roads

By

Jim Turner News Service of Florida

March 16, 2019 - 9:00am

Senate President Bill Galvano’s push to expand and build three toll roads may become a negotiation point between legislative leaders, as the House has not put forward a version of the plan.

 

Galvano, R-Bradenton, indicated he remains optimistic, with House Speaker Jose Oliva and Gov. Ron DeSantis supporting improved infrastructure and transportation.

 

Charlie Crist Champions Expanding Medical Cannabis Options for Federal Employees, Veterans

By

Kevin Derby

March 18, 2019 - 7:00am

Last week, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., unveiled a proposal to “remove limitations on federal employment for an individual legally using marijuana under the law of the state in which the individual resides, and for other purposes.” 

 

Crist introduced the “Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws” on Tuesday and showcased in on Thursday. Republican U.S. Reps. Don Young of Alaska and Matt Gaetz of Florida are among the nine cosponsors. 

 

Senate Backs Visit Florida as House Speaker Balks

By

Jim Turner News Service of Florida

March 15, 2019 - 9:00am

A proposal to keep the state’s tourism-marketing agency open beyond this fall, with no change in funding, moved forward Thursday in the Senate.

 

But Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request to provide $76 million next year to Visit Florida, matching the current funding, doesn’t have the same support in the House.

 

House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, maintains the tourism agency’s funding should last until the agency’s legal authorization runs out, which is scheduled for Oct. 1.

 

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