โVileโ and โbigotedโ: Local Republican lawmaker raises concerns over monuments bill after comments from supporters
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo on Wednesday raised questions about the fate of a proposal to protect historic monuments and memorials after several lawmakers voiced outrage over comments Tuesday by supporters of the bill.
Proposed bill could make April โHot Car Death Prevention Monthโ after 10-month-old died in July
Six months after 10-month-old Ariya Paige died from being left in a hot vehicle in late July, her family is pushing lawmakers to create legislation that can protect and save other children from the heartbreaking tragedy they endured.
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Bill to keep alcohol โto goโ on tap keeps moving forward
(Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)An alcohol โto goโ bill motored through a second Senate committee Tuesday without opposition. The Commerce and Tourism Committee backed the proposal (SB 148), sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, which would allow restaurants to include alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of take-home meals. Ron DeSantis to help restaurants that were forced to scale back operations in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. โThe current executive order helped restaurants accomplish this goal while also providing a convenience to their customers. A House version (HB 329) was unanimously backed last month by the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee and awaits an appearance before the Commerce Committee.
DeSantis & Florida lawmakers take aim at China
Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers are adding China to the growing list of targets for the 2021 Florida legislative session, which gets underway on Tuesday. Newly filed bills include measures that aim to limit intellectual property theft by the communist regime and crack down on Chinese influence at American colleges and universities. โThe growing presence of the Chinese communist party influence in domestic and international affairs is one of the most pervasive threats to American security and prosperity,โ DeSantis said during a Monday news conference. The first seeks to curb Chinese influence in the academic field by requiring transparency for donations from foreign governments over $50,000 and punishing institutions that donโt comply. AdAlso filed this year is legislation that blames China for the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Restaurant to go alcohol sales could become permanent in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ Florida restaurants would be able to sell alcohol for take out and delivery under a bill approved by a Senate committee Tuesday that would would make permanent a suspension of rules the governor allowed during the coronavirus pandemic. It has helped restaurants accomplish a goal of being successful while also providing a convenience for consumers.โAdThe bill would limit alcohol to go to restaurants whose sales are at least 51% food. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association told lawmakers extra sales have been a lifeline for many eateries. โWeโve proven that it can be done, that it can be done safely,โ said Carol Dover, president of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. AdPending legislative approval, alcohol to go will continue in Florida, so long as the governorโs state of emergency for COVID-19 remains in effect.
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Decriminalizing marijuana; Duval County Republican Party chairman; Sen. Jennifer Bradley
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ This edition of โThis Week in Jacksonvilleโ features City Councilman Garrett Dennis on decriminalizing marijuana and the Lot J proposal, Duval County Republican Party Chairman Dean Black on the election results and 2022, and state Sen. Jennifer Bradley on her new role.
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Florida Senate offers double shot of โalcohol to goโ
Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, separately filed measures that would allow a business holding a state alcohol license to sell or deliver spirited beverages by the package for off-site consumption. The proposals would require the liquid to be in a sealed container and to be part of a food order. We think it is a process that should continue, so we are looking to establish it in state law,โ Brandes said on Friday. Brandes isnโt seeking to alter existing law that requires restaurants to reseal partially consumed bottles before patrons leave. In a 74-page report, the RESET task force, co-chaired by executives from Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Florida Retail Federation and the National Federation of Independent Business Florida, called existing rules restricting carryout alcohol โantiquated and no longer necessary.โDeSantis in September backed the idea of allowing carryout alcoholic beverages to become permanent.
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Jacksonville lawmaker denied third term in Florida House
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. While two Northeast Florida state House members easily won primary challenges Tuesday, Rep. Kimberly Daniels lost handily to community organizer Angie Nixon. Daniels had sometimes split from other Democrats by supporting issues such as abortion restrictions and school vouchers and represents the solidly blue Northeast Jacksonville state House District 14. Nixon, who earned 59% of the vote, will face only a write-in opponent in November. In District 12, Incumbent Rep. Clay Yarborough easily dispatched Republican challenger Colin McArthur his primary race. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island, defeated Jason Holifield in Florida Senate District 5, which includes Clay, Baker, Union, Columbia and other counties stretching to the Gulf of Mexico.