The cap on the number of medical marijuana operators “directly contradicts the amendment,” Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson ruled in an eight-page order.
Florida
Bright Futures ‘Medallion’ Scholarships For 46,000 Floridians Increase to Cover 75% of Tuition and Fees
The expansion is part of a record $519 million Bright Futures program legislators approved this year, with the the medallion portion of the scholarships increased to about $190 million.
Democratic or Republican, Florida’s Candidates For Governor Say What Voters Want To Hear on Environment
Candidates’ solutions are mostly general and vary on how to keep up with the state’s growing population and businesses while keeping springs and rivers clean from the Panhandle to the Everglades.
Florida’s Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday Is This Weekend: Here’s A Guide (No Electronics)
Florida’s sales tax holiday on school supplies, clothing, shoes and other select accessories is this weekend–starting at a minute after midnight Friday, Aug. 3, through midnight Sunday, Aug. 5.
Judge Throws Dog Racing Ban Off November Ballot, Calling It “Outright Trickeration”
“Contrary to the words presented for consideration by the voters, the amendment would not end dog racing, nor would it eliminate wagering on dog racing,” the judge wrote.
Amazon’s Deceptive Bargain With Local Government Purchasing–at Local Business’ Expense
Amazon’s bid to dominate local government purchasing has gone under the radar. IKt’s appealing on the surface, but could make it harder for agencies to buy from local vendors.
Canadian Firm Poised to Light Up Florida Marijuana Market in $93 Million Deal
A Canadian love-fest for Florida pot companies continues to blossom with a $93 million deal that includes a Ruskin-based grower yet to begin selling marijuana products.
Dog Racing Ban, On November Ballot, Gets a Boost From Doris Day
The Doris Day Animal League made a $1.5 million contribution to the Committee to Protect Dogs, backing Amendment 13, which appears on Florida ballots this fall.
In Restoration of Florida Felons’ Voting Rights, Lawyers Make Novel 1st Amendment Argument
Lawyers for the plaintiffs maintain that Florida’s discretionary process violates the First Amendment, despite a dearth of cases anywhere in the country supporting that argument.
Judge Declares Unconstitutional Attempt By Scott To Forbid Early Voting On College Campuses
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker found that the Florida Department of State’s prohibition against campus early-voting sites “is facially discriminatory on account of age.”
In Straw Poll at Chamber’s Candidate Hobnob, a Mix of Incumbent and Insurgent Successes
Incumbents have clear leads in County Commission races, newcomers John Tipton and Jack Howell posted strong showings in Palm Coast races, and school board races have mixed messages.
Why Should FPL Customers Pay For Its Polluting, Lawbreaking Mistake? Court Will Decide.
FPL wants to bill customers across the state, including Flagler, $206 million in recovery costs for its own polluting mistake at its Turkey Point plant in South Florida.
Flagler Unemployment Rises to 4.3% But Labor Force Keeps Expanding
Some 200 people were added to Flagler’s unemployment rolls but in a sign of continuing health the workforce is expanding and is 1,000 workers larger than a year ago.
No “Overconfidence” In 2018 Election as Florida Takes $19 Million in Security Upgrades
Florida’s top elections official told lawmakers that “time is of the essence” in using the federal money, with the Aug. 28 primary elections just over a month away.
Sunrail Schedule Increases to 20 Round-Trips Ahead of Expansion With 4 More Stations
Sunrail’s expansion adds 17 more miles and four new stations starting July 30, for a total of 39 miles in Orange, Volusia and Osceola counties.
Scott Signs Death Warrant, His 27th, For 1992 Murderer Jose Antonio Jimenez
Jose Antonio Jimenez was convicted in the October 1992 killing of 63-year-old Phyllis Minas, whose neighbors heard her shout, “Oh God! Oh my God!” during the attack.
Flagler County Judge Moore-Stens Finally Gets Help, As Does Civil Bench
Senior judges will pick up civil and county court dockets, a big help for Flagler County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens, whose dockets is among the heaviest in the state.
Three of Florida’s State University Presidents Earned More Than $1 Million Last Year
Three state university presidents in Florida earned more than $1 million in pay and other compensation during the 2016-2017 academic year.
Nat Reed, Adviser to Governors and Presidents Who Left His Imprint on Flagler’s Environment, Dies
Nat Reed, who died at 84, co-founded 1,000 Friends of Florida. His stewardship led to Flagler’s progressive comprehensive plan and greenway and environmental successes.
School Massacre Commission Told Emergency Communications Problems Are Not Restricted To Broward
Emergency calls from Parkland are shepherded by two separate communication centers, depending on whether the caller uses a cell phone or landline.
Florida Regulators Approve Addition of 689 Area Code As Overlay in 407 Zone
As available numbers run out in the 407 zone, 689 will be available as a new area code in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, parts of Lake and Volusia.
Days After Criticism From Sen. Nelson, Governor Declares Emergency Over Algae Outbreak
On Friday and over the weekend Democrats and Bill Nelson accused Scott of “going through the motions” in dealing with the algae blooms.
No Smokable Medical Marijuana Allowed Before Legal Challenge Plays Out, Court Orders
The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal came in a lawsuit initiated by Orlando trial attorney John Morgan and others who maintain that a Florida law barring patients from smoking their treatment runs afoul of a 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana.
Union-Busting Bill Draws Lawsuit from Florida Education Association and Teachers
Florida teachers and unions filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the constitutionality of a new law that requires local unions to represent 50 percent or more of instructional personnel.
Unlocked And Loaded: Families Confront Dementia And Guns
The epidemic of gun violence that kills 96 people a day is focused on mental illness. But a little-known problem is what to do about firearms in homes of aging Americans with dementia.
DeSantis and Putnam Battle To Out-Trump Each Other In Televised Debate
Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis focused more on national topics than challenges facing the next Florida governor in their debate broadcast on Fox.
There’s Always Room For a Confederate Statue in a Lake County Government Building
A bronze statue of the Confederate general will be relocated from the National Statuary Hall in Washington to a museum housed in the same building as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Flagler School District Scores a B For 7th Year In a Row, Ranks 32nd Out of 67
Only Indian Trails Middle School scored an A while Old Kings and Rymfire elementaries dropped a grade. Other schools maintained last year’s grades.
More Than 100 New Laws Take Effect Sunday, as Does $88 Billion Budget
New laws expanding education vouchers, prohibiting marriage for anyone younger than 18, and placing Florida on permanent daylight saving time–if Congress approves–all go into effect.
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling On Web Retailers Could Boost Florida’s Sales Tax Revenue
A 5-4 ruling upheld a law that allowed the state to apply its sales tax to major online retailers, even if they had no physical presence in the state.
Flagler County Passes Precedent-Setting Ordinance Protecting Public Use of Private Beaches, But Its Future Is Uncertain
Flagler’s customary-use ordinance forbids the walling off of private sections of beaches, though a new state law allows just such segregation from public use. Flagler expects its ordinance to be challenged.
Critics Assail Scott Policy Shift That Would Reduce Eligibility Window For Medicaid
The majority of the 39,000 people impacted by the change would be seniors and people with disabilities. But Gov. Scott wants the shift to save nearly $100 million.
Floridian Wins 2nd Case at Supreme Court Over Arrest During Public Comment
Justices, in an 8-1 decision, sided with Fane Lozman, who filed a lawsuit against the city contending that the arrest involved retaliation for his outspoken criticism of officials in the Palm Beach County community.
Judge Says Legislature Illegally Spending Florida’s Land-Preservation Money on Operating Costs
Striking a blow to the Legislature, a judge ruled lawmakers failed to comply with a voter-approved constitutional amendment to buy and preserve environmentally sensitive lands.
Five First Responders to the Pulse Massacre. One Diagnosis: PTSD.
“My head’s still not right,” said one paramedic who responded to the Pulse nightclub shooting two years ago. He and some other responders say their departments haven’t given them the help they need.
Flagler Unemployment Settles Below 4% in Echo of Pre-Recession Vigor, Labor Force at New High
The Flagler labor force hit a new high of 47,204, up 600 compared to a year ago. Of those, 45,423 residents are holding jobs either in the county or out of the county.
291 Gun Permits Wrongly Issued, But Adam Putnam Says “Public Safety Was Not At Risk”
An employee stopped running background checks on hundreds of applicants. The problem led to heavy criticism of Putnam amid his campaign for governor.
Beyond Donation of 25 FHP Used Cars to Puerto Rico, an Island’s Policing in Crisis
Puerto Rico right now is all about a cattle pen of system failures — but one of the most important is its broken and bleeding law enforcement structure.
Campaign Cash Fuels TV Ads for Adam Putnam and Philip Levine in Governor’s Race
As the leading fundraisers in their party primaries for governor, Adam Putnam and Philip Levine have an advantage over their rivals when it comes to reaching voters.
Trouble For 9 Ballot Proposals, But Homestead Expansion and School Board Term Limits Would Pass
Bans on offshore oil drilling and vaping in workplaces and restaurants, new ethics standard for public officials and voting rights to ex-felons would all fail.
School Massacre Commission Hears Troubling Account Of Ineffective Database and Information-Sharing
Panelists on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission discussed shortcomings in a database designed to capture information about troubled students.
Rise in Florida’s Uninsured Children Contrasts With Continued Declines in Other Big States
Florida lost ground while states such as Texas and California continued to make progress. Those states lowered their uninsured rates by 1 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.
29 Million Domestic Visitors Push Florida Tourism To New Quarterly Record
Florida drew an estimated 33.2 million visitors from January through March, which was a 7.4 percent increase over the same period in 2017.
Billionaire Investor Jeff Greene Becomes 5th Florida Democrat In Race For Governor
Greene, 63, who lives in Palm Beach two doors down from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Legalizing Recreational Pot Key Issue For Florida Democrats’ Gubernatorial Candidates
John Morgan calls recreational weed a make-or-break issue for Democratic candidates seeking to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
Florida Prisons Proposal To Cut Visitation Hours In Half Draws Outrage and Pleas
Visits help cut recidivism and keep families close, as recognized even by state law, but Florida prison officials are looking to cut costs.
John Ward’s Insult To Puerto Ricans
John Ward is a GOP candidate for the congressional that includes Flagler. He doesn’t think Puerto Rican storm refugees–American citizens, all–should register to vote in Florida. He’s wrong.
Court Largely Sides With Florida State In Weapons Dispute With Florida Carry
An appeals court Friday backed Florida State University in much of a legal battle with a gun-rights group about weapons on campus, though the case goes back to circuit court.
Yes, You May Smoke It: Judge Rules Florida’s Ban on Smoking Medical Marijuana Unconstitutional
Judge Karen Gievers found that a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016 gives eligible patients the right to smoke the treatment in private.
Sales Tax ‘Holiday’ For Disaster-Preparedness Supplies Set For June 1-7 Across Florida
Expanded from three days last year, the tax holiday has drawn added attention after Florida experienced hurricanes in 2016 and 2017 after a decade’s calm.