Education

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida House moved Thursday afternoon to allow school districts to employ volunteer religious officials as counselors in public schools, dividing Democrats over allowing these clergymen to provide mental health advice to students. Co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels and Republican Rep. Stan McClain, HB 931 provides for volunteer chaplains in schools, defined as […]

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has been criticized by Democrats nation-wide for being authoritarian when it comes to education.  Now the governor is attempting to debunk book banning accusations, calling it a "hoax." Governor DeSantis has now called on the legislature to amend current laws that allow people to abuse standards which are said to be […]

The controversial legislative measure that passed in the Florida House of Representatives that calls for an all-out Social Media ban for children under the age of 16, and is now being taken up in the Florida Senate, could be dead on arrival as a new poll shows that the overwhelming majority of parents in Florida […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A new bill would add an anti-communism curriculum to Florida schools, creating a communist task force of Governor-appointed officials. The bill faced Democratic resistance, with liberal lawmakers calling it divisive and "hurtful". HB 1349, co-sponsored by Republican House Reps. Chuck Brannan and James Buchanan, require an "age-appropriate" curriculum on the history of, and growing […]

The 2024 Legislative Session is now almost halfway completed, closing out the fifth week of the 9-week period. Tempers are wearing thin as we draw closer to the end, with a Republican expressing his "disgust" over Democrats storming out of a bill hearing. Other controversial issues this week included abortion rights, "identity politics" in the […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A Republican-led education bill prohibits teacher prep courses from including a curriculum on "identity politics" or that "systemic racism, sexism, or oppression" is inherent in U.S. institutions. Proposed by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, SB 1372 blocks theories of social, political, and economic inequity from being taught in educator prep courses. The sponsor said the bill […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Top Republican Lawmaker Sen. Jay Collins has proposed a slew of hard-hitting bills this session, covering issues ranging from foster homes to communism to veterans. In an exclusive interview with the Floridian, he outlined his wide-ranging agenda for 2024's legislative season. "I am unequivocally pro-life," Collins, who is adopted, said of his child permanency […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill banning corporal punishment for students with disabilities passed the House Education Quality Subcommittee unanimously, surprising residents and representatives alike in that corporal punishment still exists within some public schools. "While most counties have banned the practice, corporal punishment is still allowed in 19 counties in Florida," HB 439's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Katherine […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Keiser University kicked off its "Keiser Days at the Capitol" with a Wednesday morning press conference. Joined by Republican Rep. Randy Fine, the college's leaders discussed higher education, nursing shortages, and athletic success. "My message is simply that we live in a great state," Belinda Keiser, the Vice Chancellor of the University, said, "If […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Florida's State Board of Education announced last week their imposition of "strict regulations" on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives on college campuses, leading the James Madison Institute, a libertarian non-profit think tank, to laud the state's efforts. The board's ruling will prohibit taxpayer funds going toward DEI programs and replaces the "Principles of Sociology" […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A new education bill would prohibit teachers' prep classes from including a curriculum on the existence of systemic racism, sexism, or oppression in Florida institutions. The bill would also prevent "identity politics" and any "distortion of historical events". "I am looking for the best environment for our students so they can be as successful […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—As Lawmakers enter the third week of the Legislative Session, with it comes a slew of hard-hitting bills, sure to ignite debate in both chambers. This week's agenda covers sex reassignment insurance coverage, the banning of identity politics in teacher preparation courses, drunk driving, and much more. Licenses and Drunk Driving Monday will see […]

After a stellar performance in the Iowa Caucus, former President Donald Trump (R) has won the endorsement of US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). President Trump was declared the winner within the first hour of vote counting in the Iowa Caucus.  Winning 98 counties and carrying 51% of the vote helped the president best Governor Ron DeSantis […]

The US military has suffered a recruiting crisis as many claim the institution is becoming politicized. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) engaged in a lengthy questioning of the former head of West Point's history department, Brigadier Gen. Ty Seidule (Ret.), on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives being introduced into West Point's curriculum, to which Seidule […]

Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) has announced that Hillsborough County Public Schools are receiving a $7.9 million grant for 20 new electric buses awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA has instituted its Clean School Bus Program which has granted almost $1 billion in funds toward environmentally cleaner forms […]

In the wake of an abrupt and devastating winter storm, Governor DeSantis (R-FL) declared a state of emergency in 49 Florida counties after the weather barreled through the middle of the state. What is being called, "The Winter Storm" put many parts of the country on high alert.  Tornado warnings were in effect on Tuesday […]

Republicans in both chambers of the Florida Legislature introduced the Kamala Harris Truth in Slavery Teaching Act, bringing some controversy alongside it. State Senator Shevrin Jones (D-FL) provided a statement, calling the bill an “aimless, desperate trolling of Vice President Harris.” The legislation, introduced by State Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-FL) and State Representative Kiyan Michael […]

State Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-FL) has made a key endorsement of Levy County Commissioner Chad Johnson (R-FL) who is running to succeed Clemons in the upcoming election in House District 22. Clemons has been term-limited this election cycle, reaching the maximum time allotted to a representative in the Florida House.  Clemons has been serving since […]