Jim Turner

The House Ethics, Elections & Open Government Subcommittee approved a proposal (HJR 129) that seeks to require approval from 66.67 percent of voters to amend the Florida Constitution, up from the current 60 percent.

Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $1 billion in agricultural-production losses, with the biggest hits to the citrus industry, along with growers of vegetables and melons, according to a new University of Florida report.

A priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo to make housing more affordable for workers started to move forward Wednesday despite some questions about issues such as preventing rent controls.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a revised forecast that said Florida growers will fill 16 million 90-pound boxes of oranges during the current season.

The recently revived Florida State Guard would more than triple in size and add aviation and maritime equipment, with funding going from $10 million to more than $95 million, under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed budget.

Bill sponsor Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral, said the additional money is needed as the state continues to address the impacts of Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.

The bill would address issues that led to a legal challenge after the September flights, including making clear that $1.565 million already spent by the DeSantis administration is “deemed approved.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis is laying out more proposals to reshape education policy in Florida. At a press conference in Jacksonville, he voiced support for making school board elections partisan.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans Tuesday to spend 3.5 billion dollars in his second term on environmental projects such as restoring the Everglades and addressing water-quality problems.

Florida lawmakers are moving forward with plans that would give the state more control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which Gov. Ron DeSantis had targeted last year after the Walt Disney Co. criticized a controversial education law.

Florida’s emergency-management director wants lawmakers to make changes to help with disaster preparation and response.

State wildlife officials approved a seasonal no-entry zone in an area of Brevard County waters where manatees gather in effort to provide more protections to the sea cows.