Florida Legislature

“Our state is already projecting significant ongoing budget challenges and everyday Floridians are facing mounting challenges, just to make ends meet,” FPI CEO Sadaf Knight said in a statement. “This moment calls for making investments in public services, raising additional revenue and in expanding economic security — by choosing not to do so, the Legislature is putting their head in the sand.”

A federal appeals panel has kept on hold a law targeting undocumented immigrants who enter the state, rejecting arguments by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its challenge to Florida’s ban on firearm purchases by adults under 21. It’s the latest move by the gun-rights group in its four-year-battle to override the 2018 Florida law that bans 18-to-20-year-olds from purchasing long guns.

While it was a mostly partisan vote in support, the bill faces opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has pushed for the elimination of property taxes and a $1,000 homeowner rebate, and Senate President Ben Albritton who has rolled out a more modest tax relief package.

As a show of support, supporters of Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a “Rally in Tally” Friday afternoon at the Capitol in support of his “Freedom Agenda.”

The Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida and two individual plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in federal court in Miami. It challenges a law (SB 4-C) that passed during a February special legislative session.

"As I travel around the state, this is one issue that resonates with everyone. Regardless of background, age or political party, Floridians expect our government to operate efficiently, and tax dollars to be spent wisely, with accountability and results," says Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula,

DeSantis largely stuck to broad ideas, rather than detailed plans, during his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature in the House chamber. The 60-day session will include myriad issues, including the House and Senate negotiating a budget that likely will exceed $115 billion.

“Members, if you look online, you will see there is no House Bill 1 filed. Nor is there a House Bill 3 or 5 or 7 or 9. I will not find meaning for my speakership in personal priorities. The mission of my speakership is to have this House be the most engaged, vibrant and dynamic legislative chamber in the country," said House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami.

Republicans say the laws put Florida — long a haven for immigrants — on the leading edge of conservative-controlled states working to leverage state and local resources for federal immigration enforcement. Democrats blasted it, calling it the "most extreme anti-immigration legislation in the country,"

The House’s move to delve into the vetoes comes two weeks after the Legislature overrode a $57 million veto for “legislative support services” in the budget — the first time a veto was overridden.

Hours after the Florida Legislature passed one of the nation’s strictest immigration bills, Hernan, a college student from central Florida, found himself in a state of anxiety and paranoia. His biggest worry: paying his college tuition.