Wilton Simpson

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said he’s heard reports workers failing to show up at construction sites, but said he hasn’t seen such actions.

State Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan spoke during a news conference in Hillsborough County about what has already proven to be a busy fire season.

The 2022-23 state budget held $300 million in conservation money in reserve until Jan. 1. Simpson expects a big part of the money will go through the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

A crowd of supporters fanned out in front of the Old Capitol as Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, CFO Jimmy Patronis and new Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson took their oaths.

Outgoing Senate President Wilton Simpson was elected agriculture commissioner while Attorney General Ashley Moody and CFO Jimmy Patronis won second terms.

While Democrats have had a decades-long advantage in voter registration numbers and Florida has been considered a swing state in presidential elections, those days appear gone.

Sen. Lori Berman, D-Delray Beach, said her colleagues need to quickly review the suspension but added that she hopes they don't “rubber-stamp anything.”

HB 461 allows 100 hours of paid work experience to replace community service hours required for Bright Futures.

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.

Florida lawmakers have cleared the way to punish the Walt Disney Corporation for its opposition to a new state law that limits school instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation. The proposals strip Disney of its ability to collect taxes and issue bonds, and eliminate a social media carveout for theme parks.

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' flexed his power this week in Tallahassee as lawmakers okayed the governor's controversial redistricting plan and curbed Disney's special jurisdiction.

The Florida legislature will meet in mid-April to draw the state's congressional districts after Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected two maps lawmakers approved earlier this month.