Amid a debate about academic freedom in higher education, the Florida Senate on Friday passed a bill that could lead to changes in general education courses and prevent colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The Republican-dominated Senate voted 27-12…
Read More Florida Senate Backs Blocking ‘DEI’ Spending
The Florida House on Wednesday passed a measure that would put new requirements on universities related to debates and other campus forums, with supporters saying it would bolster free speech but critics arguing it could have unintended consequences. The Republican-controlled House voted 82-34 along near-party…
Read More Bill Spurs Debate On Campus Speech In Florida
The Senate continued moving forward Monday with confirming a slate of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees, as outnumbered Democrats grilled one of the governor’s picks. The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee voted to advance seven conservative appointees…
Read More New College Of Florida Trustees Get Senate Nod
A measure that seeks to prevent colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is ready to go before the full Senate amid strong objections from Democrats, with one Black senator calling the proposal “racist at its core.” The bill…
Read More Florida Senate Panel Backs Ending Higher Ed ‘DEI’
The Florida Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to shift to holding partisan school board elections. The proposal (HJR 31) will go on the 2024 ballot and, if approved by voters, would do away with a requirement that…
Read More Partisan School Board Elections In Florida Go On Ballot
Instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity will largely be prohibited in all public school grades after the State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a controversial rule change. The rule effectively expands Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law, a hot-button measure that passed last…
Read More Board Expands Florida “Parental Rights In Education” Law
A proposal that would require Florida school districts to share local property-tax revenue with charter schools is teed up for consideration by the full House, after a committee debate Monday about whether it could bring “parity.” Property taxes collected through discretionary 1.5-mill local levies go…
Read More Construction Money Could Go To Florida Charter Schools
Florida House members, on Thursday, gave final approval to a bill that would do away with a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences. The unanimity requirement was put in place by the Legislature in 2017, in response to decisions by…
Read More Florida House Approves Death Penalty Bill, Doing Away With “Unanimous Jury”
A seismic shift in abortion rights could be coming in Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis late Thursday signed a measure to prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. But whether the six-week limit goes forward will hinge on a case before the state Supreme Court.…
Read More Florida Abortion Fight Hinges On High Court
A measure designed to carry out parts of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ higher-education agenda moved forward Wednesday in the Senate, after changes that included a proposal to give university presidents ultimate hiring authority at their schools. The Republican-controlled Senate Education Appropriations Committee voted 8-4 along party…
Read More Controversial Higher-Ed Bill Backed In Florida Senate