Lauren Book

House and Senate committees this week considered proposals that would allow the death penalty for anyone who sexually batters a child under the age of 12.

The bill, among other things, would make it a felony for doctors or other health-care professionals to order puberty blockers, hormone treatment or surgery for transgender minors.

Florida’s Democratic leaders are pushing back on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ agenda. They argue that Floridians need to question what the governor really means when he talks about “Freedom.”

Dogs would not be able to hang their heads out of car windows under a new bill proposed in Florida. The bill would additionally ban cat declawing and cosmetic animal testing.

Gov. DeSantis is proposing that lawmakers approve $1.5 billion in tax cuts that include items purchased for infants, children and pets, along with expanded tax "holidays."

Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell also criticized the DeSantis administration's decision to block an advanced placement high school course in African American studies.

It came a week before a new Florida law is scheduled to take effect that would prevent women from having abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, compared conditions in the industry to having “Stage 4 cancer and failing” but that the proposals were like treating “Stage 1 cancer.”

During a conference call Tuesday, leading state Democrats said the only way abortion rights can be preserved in Florida is by electing Democrats. Abortion, they said, should be their focus going into November.

Democrats say it's a "raid on women’s rights" while Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state's abortion law is “the strongest that Florida has seen in decades.”

Activist Chaz Stevens says the book isn't age appropriate and contains references to rape and bestiality. It's a not-so-subtle dig at Florida's recent efforts to ban books.

The bill requires school districts to allow parents to have input in selecting library books and other instructional materials.