Florida News That Impacts You – May 12th, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed a total of 37 bills into law on Thursday – including a host of medical reforms the governor is touting as providing the most comprehensive medical freedom in the country. Among the changes to Florida law: A ban of vaccine passports by businesses and governments. Preventing employer discrimination on the basis of vaccination status. The allowance for Florida’s medical practitioners to conscientiously object to providing healthcare. Likewise, an allowance for medical service providers to reject health insurance plans based on conscience objections. New whistle-blower protections for health care providers and a new public records exemption for complaints or investigations based on health care choice. Among the other bills signed into law...
- The Operation of a Golf Cart bill which bans those lacking a driver’s license or learners permit from driving a golf cart on roads. The Ethics Requirements for Public Officials bill which mandates additional financial disclosures by Florida public officials. The State Park Campsite Reservations bill, which allows Floridians an opportunity to reserve campsites prior to non-Floridians. There will be a new 9/11 Heroes Day which will be taught in Florida’s public schools each year. The law calls for 45 minutes of 9/11 education in all middle and high schools annually.
- Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody was successful in her legal challenge against the Biden Administration's planned “paroled release” of illegal border crossers. With the expiration of Title 42, the Biden Administration planned mass release of illegal border crossers will not be able to move forward as planned. The Biden administration is appealing.
- Gas prices fell a penny yesterday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is currently $3.50 per gallon – nine cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.74 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.