Senate Bill 2040 must clear the Senate Budget Committee by day's end, according to the latest timetable. Still bottled up by Chairman J.D. Alexander, the heavily amended measure would require employers to use the federal E-Verify database or Real ID-compliant driver's license identification to screen new hires.
The driver's license alternative was added by Judiciary Chairwoman Anitere Flores, but the addition has not garnered support.
Friday's scheduled launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor marks the penultimate end of an era, and continued uncertainty over what's to follow.
For Florida's Space Coast, the phase-out of the 30-year shuttle program means the beginning of the loss of some 9,000 NASA-related jobs. President Barack Obama's attendance at the launch will be bittersweet, since his administration's space policies have triggered the drawdown of the region's employment.
U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster brushed off the raucous heckling he encountered Tuesday at his Orlando town hall meeting.
There is nothing wrong with a clash in debate.A healthy dialogue benefits both sides of any issue, but it requires mutual respect so that both sides can say their piece," Webster said in a statement Wednesday.
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The budget conferences of the House and Senate got underway Wednesday, but reading between the lines of the chairman of the finance and tax conference, Gov. Rick Scott's plans for corporate and property tax cuts do not appear to be in the wings.
After an initial meeting Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, was asked about the cuts and the confidence expressed by Gov. Scott that they will make their way into the final budget.
"I continue to express confidence that I will lose 20 pounds," Gaetz said coyly.
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An amendment to SB 408, offered by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey,that would have retained the current requirement for property insurers to offer sinkhole insurance, was rejected in a 20-12 vote Wednesday.
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Pope Benedict XVI named a new leader for Catholics on the First Coast on Wednesday.
Cuban born Bishop Felipe de Jesus Estevez, currently serving as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Miami, was named as bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Estevez, who came to America during Operation Peter Pan when the American government helped bring children out of communist Cuba, replaced the retiring Bishop Victor Galeone.
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According to Alexander Burns of Politico, EMILY's List has taken more than a passing interest in at least one Florida race. Here's what he says Wednesday morning in his "Sneak Peek":
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