Florida News – Highlights from around the state – February 5th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The South Florida Water Management District sent a letter of request to the US Army Corps of Engineers asking for authorization for the Lake O’ Watershed Restoration Project – which would increase capacity to store water north of the lake. This is one of the four projects that comprise the Everglades Restoration Plan. If approved the state will be able to access the federal funding pledged for this project.
- The Orlando’s Sentinel's campaign to target Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship programs donors, due to alleged anti LGBTQ views of about half the schools in the state’s program,has led to the defection of five donors. ABC Wines, Cigar City Brewing, Fifth Third Bank, Wells Fargo and Wyndham Destinations. The campaign has been pushed by State Democrats Anna Eskamani and Carlos Smith. Yesterday the African American Ministers Alliance for Parental Choice pushed back on the campaign saying that mostly lower income black and brown children are being hurt by the loss of scholarships. Supporting their statements Senator Marco Rubio said the campaign is a publicity stunt aimed at earning wokeness points with the radical left.
- The Public School Moment of Silence bill passed committee votes in both chambers in Tallahassee as its closing in on potential passage.
- A bill that’d mandate “Safe Haven Baby Boxes” at fire stations and hospitals advanced in a key House Committee vote. The boxes would allow for anonymous dropping off of infants.
- New state regs for the state’s Hemp industry advanced in its first Senate committee on a unanimous vote. The lack of clear regs has been a consistent issue and concern during the rollout of products statewide.