Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Defamation bill advances in Florida House
Legislation that would make it easier to sue news media, among others, for libel and defamation advanced Tuesday in the Florida House.
The proposal (HB 991) is a legislative challenge to a longstanding U.S. Supreme Court precedent, which provides legal protections to publishers unless proven in court, they reported recklessly.
More HERE
Nearly a century old, Tampa Theatre hoping for $42 million restoration
The theater hopes to raise $42 million in the coming months to allow for a full restoration of the theater before its centennial celebration in 2026.
The theater is hoping that most of the $42 million will come from private sources, but it's also asking for public investment from the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the State of Florida.
More HERE
Marco Rubio distances himself from Ron DeSantis’ new position on Ukraine
Obviously, he doesn't deal with foreign policy every day as Governor.'
Florida’s senior Senator isn’t completely on board with the Governor’s evolved position on the war in Ukraine.....MORE
Republicans on Florida House panel vote to approve bill that allows 18 year olds to buy rifles
With backing from Speaker Paul Renner, a House panel on Monday approved a bill that would lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 to buy rifles and other long guns in Florida.
The bill (HB 1543) would reverse part of a 2018 law that set the minimum age at 21 after a gunman killed 17 students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Nikolas Cruz, then 19, used a semi-automatic rifle to carry out the attack.
More HERE
Monday, March 13, 2023
Florida House committee advances bill to eliminate diversity programs
A Florida House subcommittee has advanced a bill that would bring major reforms to higher education at the state’s dozen public universities.
Republican lawmakers are supporting House Bill 999 which would eliminate diversity programs and certain majors, while Democratic lawmakers are pushing back, saying the legislation threatens academic freedom.
More HERE
Democrats, advocates castigate GOP over LGBTQ-related bills
A group of about 50 LGBTQ rights advocates and Democrats convened in the Capitol to condemn efforts by Republican lawmakers to restrict access to care for transgender children and expand the ban on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.
“Free states don’t throw parents in jail for caring about their children,” said Brandon Wolf, a spokesman for Equality Florida.
He was referring to a bill (SB 254) that would require courts to intervene in custody battles between parents over children who seek out medical treatments that would lead to a gender transition.
More HERE
Democrats pan Republican plans to loosen gun laws, crack down on higher ed, limit abortion
Republican agenda meant to 'divide and dictate,' House Democrats argue.
House Democrats are painting a bleak picture of the state’s future if Republicans’ legislative agenda is allowed to pass unchecked — as it’s largely expected to.
Democratic leaders held a wide-ranging news conference largely criticizing the GOP’s efforts to ban abortion (HB 7) before most know they are pregnant, ending all diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the state’s higher education institutions (HB 999), and allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a license (HB 543).
More HERE
Florida House to review expanded list of banned majors in higher education reform
The Florida Legislature is considering a ban on certain college degrees, and will vote on expanding the list of banned majors in the bill during a House Committee hearing on Monday.
House Bill 999, introduced by State Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Escambia), echoes proposals from Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill would ban majors or minors in critical race theory and gender studies and subjects like intersectionality. HB 999 also builds on previous legislation from 2022 that created a five-year review process for tenured faculty in Florida, which passed last year.
More HERE
Is DeSantis darkening Florida’s sunny open-records laws?
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, weighing a presidential bid, is pursuing a home-state agenda that could make it harder for people to learn what public officials are doing or to speak out against them. In an unprecedented move for the Sunshine State, DeSantis has claimed an executive right to keep key government records secret. He’s also seeking to weaken a nearly 60-year-old national legal precedent protecting journalists and others who publish critical comments about public figures.....MORE
Sunday, March 12, 2023
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Tampa Traveler Jeff Z at LAX
Reach of these Rolls Royce engines is capable of producing 72,850 pounds of thrust each.
These new high bypass engines have a diameter of 110 inches which is mainly from the giant
fan in the front.
High bypass engines means most of the air being scooped up by that giant front fan is bypassed AROUND the engine, not through it. You can see in the video the give gap behind the front fan. Only a small portion of the air actually goes through the core of the engine and is compressed and heated.
Notice the unusual shape of the front fan blades as well. This is possible with modern metals ayms composites. This shape is more efficient than fan blades of the past.
These engines are about 15% more fuel efficient than the old versions due to all these cool advancements in technology.
Every horrible bill proposed by DeSantis's Florida GOP this year
The Florida Legislature, a body controlled by Republicans for over two decades, has ceased to function as an independent body and instead serves as a rubber stamp for Ron DeSantis. The result of this one party rule now completely steered by the whims of a single right wing fanatic is a slew of unhinged fascist legislation that targets vulnerable communities, diminishes our freedoms and serves special interest groups at the expense of working people.....MORE
US agencies debunk Florida surgeon general's vaccine claims
U.S. health agencies have sent a letter to Florida's surgeon general, warning him that his claims about COVID-19 vaccine risks are harmful to the public. more
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Saturday, March 11, 2023
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No ‘hoax’: Florida NOW rips Ron DeSantis for ‘classroom censorship’
"DeSantis’ attack on our classrooms is an attack on our children, and we will not stand for it"....MORE
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