Ben Diamond

After the 120 Florida House districts were redrawn this year in the once-a-decade reapportionment process, Republicans and Democrats are battling in a relative handful of races in the Nov. 8 elections.

The Democrat joined Ben Diamond, who pulled out of the race last week and cited the state's new congressional map.

The Democrat, who was seeking Charlie Crist's open seat, said he will re-enter the race if the new congressional map is struck down in court.

Despite years of warnings from top scientists around the world, Florida’s plan to address climate change only involves spending money to adapt to rising seas instead of cutting the emissions that cause them. In fact, the state has passed bills that work against those goals.

The proposal would exempt from disclosure “personal identifying information” of people applying to lead colleges and universities until near the end of searches, when a group of finalists is determined or 21 days before a president is chosen.

A proposal to lessen the effects of sea level rise is scheduled to get a floor vote in the House on Wednesday. While the bill aims to help communities adapt, it doesn't address manmade climate change.

The proposal, among other things, would boost overall funding for public schools and includes a pay increase of 5.3% for state workers.

The approved bill would eliminate the road between Collier and Polk counties while laying out a route that would weave the Suncoast Parkway north along U.S. 19 to connect with Interstate 10 in Madison County.

Florida lawmakers have divided the question of COVID-19 liability protections into several different proposals, and the first bills protecting against fraud and the other for businesses, recently rolled out.

Even after losing a key leader, advocates wonder if lawmakers are ready to act.