Cash bail: Lawsuits target practice that leaves poor people jailed while others walk

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is trying to change unaffordable cash bail practices that can break people’s lives, a practice that civil rights attorneys across the country argue is unjust and unconstitutional. Wealthier people are able to pay such bail amounts and go free until they stand trial.

Conspiracy theories run rampant during testimony on DeSantis’ vax mandate ban

During some four hours of hearings Monday before the Senate Commerce Committee, for example, conservative political activists joined forces with vaccine-resistant first responders, plus doctors who flew in for the occasion from as far away as Hawaii. They portrayed the Covid vaccines as actively dangerous and lavished praise on natural immunity, hydroxychloroquine, and ivermectin.

DeSantis wants felony penalties for ‘ballot harvesting’ and more hurdles for voters

The governor will propose more restrictive voting measures, including a special unit to investigate election fraud, when the Legislature's regular session starts Jan. 11, despite any evidence that such irregularities existed.

Uninsured in South would win big in Democrats’ plan, but hospitals fear funding loss

At least 2.2 million low-income adults — including 415,000 Floridians — many of whom Black or Hispanic would be eligible for government-funded health insurance under the Democrats' $1.75 trillion social spending and climate change plan.

DeSantis’ bid in special session for OSHA alternative might not work in practice

While the governor will likely get what he wants in defiance of the Biden administration's vaccine mandate, it's unclear whether a proposal for a state-run agency that would supersede federal OSHA regulations will pass.

Florida challenges federal vaccination requirement

The state's lawsuit seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions against requiring employees of federal contractors to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccinations. It names President Biden and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson among the defendants.

Phone passcode poses question for justices

The Florida Supreme Court is poised to hear arguments in the case and consider a decidedly 21st Century question: Should authorities be able to force an individual to give them his cellphone's passcode that would violate his constitutional right against self-incrimination?

U.S. sees uptick in anti-Asian hate; FL Dems want students to learn about Asian American history

State Rep. Geraldine Thompson of Windermere is co-sponsoring House legislation that will incorporate the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders into the state’s curriculum. There's a companion bill in the Senate.

DeSantis may strip lawsuit protection from businesses requiring Covid-19 vaccinations

The governor may ask the Legislature to allow employees to sue bosses who require them to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and to remove the state’s litigation shield from businesses that require them of workers and customers.

Advisory committee kicks off redistricting process in Orange County with a January deadline

An Orange County advisory panel kicked off the first in a series of public meetings Monday night with the aim of redrawing county commission district lines to account for massive population growth over the last decade.