Weekly Roundup: Blanding out, Baker in

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis finally filled the vacant lieutenant governor’s position this week, and days later brought along his newly appointed second-in command to announce the expansion of the state’s deportation efforts.
DeSantis for weeks has floated the prospect of opening a second immigrant-detention center at Camp Blanding, a North Florida training facility for the Florida National Guard.

Read More …

Weekly Roundup: Let’s make a deal!

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Weeks after talks imploded on a state spending plan for the next fiscal year, legislative leaders on Friday put the finishing touches on a budget proposal that should be ready for House and Senate votes on Monday.
A bottom-line total for the budget was not immediately available, though it is expected to be smaller than a $115.6 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Read More …