Florida

Florida Senate passes 6-week abortion ban backed by DeSantis

Published

3 years ago

April 4, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Senate on Monday approved a bill to ban abortions after six weeks, a measure supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis as the Republican prepares to launch his expected presidential candidacy.

The vote prompted demonstrations at the state’s capital that resulted in the arrest of the leader of the Florida Democratic Party and a state senator by city police.

The proposal must still be approved by the House before it reaches the governor’s desk. Florida currently prohibits abortions after 15 weeks.

A six-week ban would more closely align Florida with the abortion restrictions of other Republican-controlled states and give DeSantis a political win on an issue important with GOP primary voters ahead of his potential White House run.

Florida Democrats and groups advocating for abortion rights say this proposal disproportionally affects low-income women and people of color.

The party said that Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, and Lauren Book, Florida’s senate minority leader, were arrested late Monday at a sit-in protest outside the Florida State Capitol. Images shared on social media showed the two women and other demonstrators as they are handcuffed by police officers.

In a news release, the Tallahassee Police Department said that protesters against the abortion ban were told they would have to leave after sunset, but 11 people refused to go and were arrested for trespassing. They did not identify them by name.

The bill would have larger implications for abortion access throughout the South, as the nearby states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi prohibit the procedure at all stages of pregnancy and Georgia bans it after cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks.

“Bodily autonomy should not give a person the permission to kill an innocent human being. We live in a time where the consequences of our actions are an afterthought and convenience has been substitution for responsibility, and this is unacceptable when it comes to the protection of the most vulnerable,” said Sen. Erin Grall, a Republican who sponsored the bill.

The proposal allows exceptions to save the life of the woman and exceptions in the case of pregnancy caused by rape or incest until 15 weeks of pregnancy. In those cases, a woman would have to provide documentation such as a medical record, restraining order or police report. DeSantis has called the rape and incest provisions sensible.

It would require that the drugs used in medication-induced abortions — which make up the majority of those provided nationally — could be dispensed only in person by a physician.

The new bill would only take effect if the state’s current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge that is before the state Supreme Court.

Republicans control a supermajority in the Legislature and have largely focused on DeSantis priorities during the ongoing legislative session. DeSantis is expected to announce his presidential candidacy after the session ends in May, with his potential White House run in part buoyed by the conservative policies approved in the statehouse this year.

Democrats have conceded that they cannot stop the proposal from moving forward.

During debate earlier on Monday, Democratic Sen. Book urged women to contact her office directly, reading her phone number aloud on the Senate floor, if they are considering getting an abortion and need to connect with healthcare providers.

“Please don’t take matters into your own hands. Do not put your safety at risk. No back-alley abortions. There are people and funds that will help you. No matter where you live, no matter how desperate of a situation you are in, no matter how helpless it may seem. I promise, you are not alone. Call my office,” Book said.

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Florida

Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Arrests in Central Florida Medicaid Fraud Case

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrests of Alexander McKinnie and Kara Morrison in connection with a scheme to defraud Florida’s Medicaid program.

“Medicaid fraud is a clear example of theft from taxpayers,” Uthmeier said. “In Florida, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will safeguard public funds and aggressively pursue anyone who exploits these programs.”

An investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit determined that McKinnie submitted tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims for non-emergency medical transportation gas reimbursements for trips that never occurred.

Investigators said McKinnie fraudulently billed Medicaid for more than $65,000 in medical services that were never provided. Morrison assisted in the scheme by submitting approximately $7,000 in false reimbursement claims.

McKinnie is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud exceeding $50,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both charges are first-degree felonies, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Morrison is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud under $10,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

McKinnie was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, while Morrison was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

Florida

Handshake Snub Overshadows DeSantis’ Last Address as Governor to Joint Legislature

Published

2 weeks ago

January 15, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address Tuesday to a joint session of the Florida Legislature, capping his remarks with a visible display of the deepening rift between the governor and House Speaker Daniel Perez.

DeSantis shook hands with Senate President Ben Albritton but appeared to bypass House Speaker Daniel Perez before taking the podium in the House chamber. After finishing his State of the State address, DeSantis exited quickly, leaving before Albritton could direct the sergeant-at-arms to provide the traditional ceremonial escort that formally concludes the appearance.

The moment underscored months of strained relations between the term-limited governor and Republican leaders in the House, even as both chambers begin a high-stakes 60-day session dominated by debates over taxes, insurance, affordability and redistricting.

Final Address Sets a Confrontational Tone

In his last State of the State, DeSantis struck a combative tone as House and Senate leaders advance competing priorities for the session. Republican leaders have pledged to focus on affordability and economic pressures facing Floridians, while maintaining what they describe as a unified GOP agenda.

“From tax-free grocery store food, to diapers, clothes, and supplies for young children, key household safety items, to year-round hurricane preparedness, Florida has been laser-focused on affordability,” Albritton said, emphasizing the Senate’s commitment to cost-of-living relief.

Behind the messaging, however, divisions persist — particularly between DeSantis and Perez, who remains at odds with the governor following disputes over taxes, the budget and legislative authority.

Legislative Agenda and Lingering Disputes

Perez, speaking earlier in the day, outlined an ambitious agenda that prioritizes insurance reform, taxes, the economy, prescription drug prices and rising household costs.

“We stand here today, ready to write the second half to our story,” Perez said during opening day remarks.

He later downplayed the handshake snub, saying, “Whether the governor wants to be petulant and not shake the hand of a partner, that’s not going to change our direction.”

Lawmakers face a crowded agenda, with nearly 1,800 bills filed for consideration. Property taxes and insurance reforms are among the top issues expected to dominate debate.

Redistricting Looms Over the Session

Adding to the tension, DeSantis has warned that the regular session may not be enough. He has already issued a proclamation calling for a special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional map ahead of the November midterm elections.

State lawmakers have 60 days to pass legislation.

Florida

State Rep. Berny Jacques Files Bill Targeting Illegal Immigration and Employer Penalties

Published

3 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Rep. Berny Jacques has filed legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Florida by restricting access to financial services, housing assistance, and employment for unauthorized immigrants, while imposing stricter penalties on employers.

The proposal, HB 1307, seeks to eliminate what Jacques describes as incentives for illegal immigration and expand accountability for individuals and businesses that employ unauthorized workers.

Restrictions on Financial and Housing Access
HB 1307 would prohibit the Florida Department of Financial Services from issuing licenses to unauthorized immigrants. The bill also bars unauthorized immigrants from obtaining loans, homeownership assistance, or opening bank accounts in Florida.

In addition, the legislation would ban unauthorized immigrants from sending remittances from within the state, further limiting access to financial systems.

Expanded Employer Liability and Penalties
The bill establishes new penalties for employers who knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. Employers would be held personally and fully liable for injuries sustained by unlawfully employed workers and could be required to reimburse public funds.

Under HB 1307, penalties escalate with repeated violations. A first violation would result in a one-year suspension of all business licenses and a $10,000 fine per violation. A second violation would lead to a five-year license suspension and fines of up to $100,000 per violation. A third violation would result in permanent revocation of licenses and fines of up to $250,000 per violation.

Employers found to employ 50 or more unauthorized immigrants would commit a third-degree felony and face permanent license revocation. The bill also requires employers to verify worker eligibility through the federal E-Verify system before submitting workers’ compensation claims.

Civil Liability and Auto Insurance Provisions
HB 1307 authorizes a civil cause of action against employers if an unauthorized employee causes injury or death to another person. The bill also includes provisions related to auto insurance claims, stating that unauthorized immigrants involved in motor vehicle accidents would be presumed at fault unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates otherwise.

“We must remove the magnets for illegal migration and hold those who provide those magnets accountable,” Jacques said, urging lawmakers to support the proposal.

The bill will be considered during the upcoming legislative session.