Bill Montford

A bill that would alter current high school graduation requirements and allow students to swap  industry-approved classes and tests for traditional high school versions unanimously passed the Senate's education appropriations committee this morning. Under...

TALLAHASSEE — The Senate has released its Committee list for the 2013 legislative session. In key positions: Senate President Pro Tempore Garrett Richter will head the new committee on gambling. Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, will...

The Senate's Democratic Caucus — cheered by the fact that the election of Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, broke the Republicans' super-majority stranglehold on the chamber — rewarded Sachs by electing her as Democratic leader pro tempore. As...

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Chamber of Commerce, the most well-heeled business lobby in the Capitol, has issued its legislative endorsements, and the roster includes a few head-turners in Central Florida. The Chamber is endorsing Victoria Siplin,...

TALLAHASSEE — The influential business lobbying group Associated Industries of Florida has released its first batch of endorsements for the 2012 elections, and avoided taking a side in virtually every high-profile Orlando-area contest. The group's...

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott defended the state's decision to identify non-citizen voters in the state's 67 counties and press for their removal. The U.S. Department of Justice ordered the state to stop the process and gave state officials until...

A state representative from Lake County is hoping to give schools more freedom to decide when they’ll be starting their classes this fall. A new bill filed last week by State Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, if passed would allow school boards to set...

TALLAHASSEE – Over complaints that its work continued decades-old gerrymandering, Senate Republicans rammed through a proposed map for their own 40 seats that more evenly divides population gains over the last decade and maintains an electoral...

TALLAHASSEE — A controversial measure that would loosen the Florida High School Athletic Association's rules on athletic eligibility for transfer students squeaked by the Senate Thursday morning by a 21-18 vote and is on its way to the governor's...

TALLAHASSEE — State Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray, is now part of the Senate Democrats' leadership team, Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich announced Wednesday. Sachs replaces former Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, as minority whip, joining Sen. Bill...

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday that would place new handcuffs on the power of future legislators to tax and spend. The Senate voted 27-13 to place a new tax revenue cap for state government before...

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate has voted to shield automakers from some injury-lawsuit payouts in wrecks where a defective part may have caused an injury. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that auto-makers could be held solely at fault for...