Sen. Wilton Simpson

DeSantis said it should be up to the parents, and not school districts, to determine whether children should wear masks in schools.

Lauran Monbarren previously served as an administrator at Pasco-Hernando State College.

Wilton Simpson took on some challenging questions from Tampa Tiger Bay Club members while saying population growth is the biggest challenge Florida faces.

Among other things, they would establish a Florida Gaming Control Commission to police the industry, and allowing pari-mutuels to stop offering jai alai performances along with quarter-horse and harness races.

Sen. Wilton Simpson's strongest comments on the issue so far come amid calls from the cruise industry to require proof of vaccination after ships have been docked more than a year because of the pandemic.

The original plan drew bipartisan pushback.

The Senate will consider a budget amendment to fund the complete cleanup and closure. It's estimated to cost $200 million.

Senate President Wilton Simpson's proposal to consolidate prisons and demolish four facilities drew opposition from leaders in those rural communities.

Bill sponsor Sen. Jason Brodeur says he sought the $100 boost after seeing what other states are doing.

Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls said the House would accept a proposal that the Senate amended and passed Thursday.

Senate President Wilton Simpson says since the scholarships are funded through state money, the state has a right to examine where those dollars are going and what they’re being used on.

House Speaker Chris Sprowls says it would make "responsible use of the resources we have so that we can rescue Florida business owners from a major tax increase.”