https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/state-government/www.observerlocalnews.com stories: State Governmenten-usTue, 19 Dec 2023 15:00:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/19/proposed-bill-would-ban-colleges-schools-and-local-governments-from-displaying-lgbt-pride-flags-or-other-political-flags/A government entity may not display a flag representing 'a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint,' the bill states.The News Service of FloridaTue, 19 Dec 2023 15:00:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/19/proposed-bill-would-ban-colleges-schools-and-local-governments-from-displaying-lgbt-pride-flags-or-other-political-flags/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/15/teachers-challenge-florida-law-that-bans-transgender-educators-personal-pronouns-titles/Three teachers are fighting a law that bars school employees from providing personal pronouns or titles to students if those pronouns or titles do not correspond to the employee's sex at birth.Dara Kam, The News Service of FloridaFri, 15 Dec 2023 16:45:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/15/teachers-challenge-florida-law-that-bans-transgender-educators-personal-pronouns-titles/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/08/renner-puts-focus-on-energy-policy-limiting-childrens-access-to-social-media/The Palm Coast Republican said social media is having a 'devastating effect on kids,' and lawmakers should be able to impose online regulations 'in a meaningful way.'Jim Turner, The News Service of FloridaFri, 08 Dec 2023 17:50:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/08/renner-puts-focus-on-energy-policy-limiting-childrens-access-to-social-media/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/08/feds-take-aim-at-floridas-medicaid-ban-on-transgender-care/The Department of Justice says that Florida's decision to block coverage for hormone therapy and puberty-blocking medications violated a federal Medicaid law and the Affordable Care Act.Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaFri, 08 Dec 2023 14:20:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/08/feds-take-aim-at-floridas-medicaid-ban-on-transgender-care/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/07/house-panel-targets-drivers-drivers-who-camp-out-in-the-left-lane/The bill would set fines of up to $158 for using the left lane on highways with speed limits of 65 mph or higher unless drivers are attempting to pass other motorists.The News Service of FloridaThu, 07 Dec 2023 13:25:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/07/house-panel-targets-drivers-drivers-who-camp-out-in-the-left-lane/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/04/republican-party-of-florida-chairman-christian-ziegler-plans-to-remain-in-post-amid-rape-investigation/DeSantis has called for Ziegler to step aside. A Florida Trident report alleged that Ziegler and his wife were involved in a consensual relationship with the woman who filed the complaint.Jim Turner, The News Service of FloridaMon, 04 Dec 2023 16:00:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/dec/04/republican-party-of-florida-chairman-christian-ziegler-plans-to-remain-in-post-amid-rape-investigation/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/24/proposed-florida-bill-would-grant-state-control-over-investigations-into-alleged-police-misconduct/The bill would also bar ordinances about civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies in investigating misconduct.The News Service of FloridaFri, 24 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/24/proposed-florida-bill-would-grant-state-control-over-investigations-into-alleged-police-misconduct/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/22/university-students-for-justice-in-palestine-groups-sue-desantis-education-officials-over-order-to-disband/State officials said a statement issued by the national SJP group violated a Florida anti-terrorism law. Local SJP chapters accused the state of violating their First Amendment rights.The News Service of FloridaWed, 22 Nov 2023 10:40:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/22/university-students-for-justice-in-palestine-groups-sue-desantis-education-officials-over-order-to-disband/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/21/proposed-florida-law-would-restrict-transgender-government-employees-from-using-pronouns-titles-that-dont-accord-with-their-sex-at-birth/Employees or contractors would be barred from providing their employer with any pronouns or personal titles at odds with their birth sex. Violations would constitute cause for dismissal.Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaTue, 21 Nov 2023 19:20:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/21/proposed-florida-law-would-restrict-transgender-government-employees-from-using-pronouns-titles-that-dont-accord-with-their-sex-at-birth/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/15/legislature-proposes-penalizing-college-students-for-supporting-hamas-or-other-designated-foreign-terrorist-organizations/The bills would prevent students who promote such groups from being eligible for state grants, financial aid or tuition assistance and would require them to pay out-of-state tuition rates.The News Service of FloridaWed, 15 Nov 2023 15:45:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/15/legislature-proposes-penalizing-college-students-for-supporting-hamas-or-other-designated-foreign-terrorist-organizations/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/10/fpl-customers-to-see-lower-storm-costs/State regulators have approved a proposal that will reduce the amount of storm costs passed along to FPL customers.Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaFri, 10 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/10/fpl-customers-to-see-lower-storm-costs/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/09/lawmakers-lift-school-voucher-program-participation-cap-for-students-with-disabilities/The measure focuses on the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities program, which has been limited to nearly 41,000 children this school year.Ryan Dailey, The News Service of FloridaThu, 09 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/09/lawmakers-lift-school-voucher-program-participation-cap-for-students-with-disabilities/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/09/florida-legislature-passes-bills-sanctioning-iran-increasing-security-at-jewish-schools/The Senate unanimously approved the bills on Wednesday after the House passed them on Tuesday. They are ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaThu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/09/florida-legislature-passes-bills-sanctioning-iran-increasing-security-at-jewish-schools/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/08/proposal-for-resolution-backing-ceasefire-in-israel-hamas-war-sparks-heated-debate-in-florida-legislature/'What type of moral compass are we following if we are OK with entire bloodlines being eradicated on both sides?' said bill sponsor Rep. Angie Nixon. Her colleagues turned their backs.By Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaWed, 08 Nov 2023 16:55:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/08/proposal-for-resolution-backing-ceasefire-in-israel-hamas-war-sparks-heated-debate-in-florida-legislature/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/08/federal-judge-rejects-challenge-to-floridas-trans-athlete-law/U.S. District Judge Roy Altman has rejected a challenge to a law that bans transgender women and girls from paying on women's and girls' sports teams.Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaWed, 08 Nov 2023 13:20:00 -0500https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/nov/08/federal-judge-rejects-challenge-to-floridas-trans-athlete-law/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/27/university-system-chancellor-calls-on-schools-to-disband-pro-palestinian-student-group/The university system chancellor, citing a law that bans providing materials in support of terrorist organization, said the group released a 'toolkit' that called Hamas' attack 'the resistance.'The News Service of FloridaFri, 27 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0400https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/27/university-system-chancellor-calls-on-schools-to-disband-pro-palestinian-student-group/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/27/florida-asks-us-supreme-court-to-overturn-ruling-blocking-states-drag-show-ban/The state’s attorneys want the Supreme Court to limit an injunction a district judge issued to block the law known as the 'Protection of Children Act.'Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaFri, 27 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/27/florida-asks-us-supreme-court-to-overturn-ruling-blocking-states-drag-show-ban/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/22/lawmakers-call-special-legislative-session-on-iran-sanctions-other-issues/Other topics on the agenda include expressing support for Israel and providing more aid for people recovering from Hurricane Idalia.Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaSun, 22 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/22/lawmakers-call-special-legislative-session-on-iran-sanctions-other-issues/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/21/florida-denies-defying-federal-judge-in-transgender-health-care-case/The judge invalidated a rule banning Medicaid payments for transgender treatments, but plaintiffs say the state has ordered Medicaid managed-care organizations to continue to deny coverage.Jim Saunders, The News Service of FloridaSat, 21 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0400https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/21/florida-denies-defying-federal-judge-in-transgender-health-care-case/https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/20/judge-certifies-class-action-on-behalf-of-all-florida-transgender-people-seeking-gender-affirming-care/Plaintiffs are challenging a law that bans puberty blockers and hormone therapy for trans children and adds restrictions for trans adults seeking gender-affirming health care.The News Service of FloridaFri, 20 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0400https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/oct/20/judge-certifies-class-action-on-behalf-of-all-florida-transgender-people-seeking-gender-affirming-care/