Several new Florida laws took effect July 1, touching education, data centers

A batch of new Florida statutes took effect on July 1, covering a range of policy areas including data center regulation and expanded access to Florida Virtual School. Education-focused measures among the new laws address cursive writing instruction, marching band academic credit, and teacher union rules.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun · WUFT News

DeSantis moves to designate antifa, Muslim advocacy group as domestic terror organizations

Governor Ron DeSantis is taking steps to add antifa and a Muslim advocacy group to Florida’s domestic terrorism designation list. The move, reported by the Gainesville Sun, would formally classify both organizations under the state’s domestic terror framework.

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Sources: The Gainesville Sun

New Florida domestic violence law, spurred by Starke case, takes effect

A Florida law stiffening penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders and expanding protections to survivors’ pets took effect Wednesday after receiving unanimous approval in both chambers. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure in May following advocacy by State Rep. Debra Tendrich, who cited the Bradford County case of Rachael Kerr — killed in a Starke murder-suicide in late January despite having documented abuse and sought court protections.

Sources: WCJB TV20

DeSantis backs constitutional convention to reverse birthright citizenship ruling

At a Liberty Bell replica unveiling in Liberty County on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision upholding birthright citizenship and said he would support Florida leading a push for a constitutional convention to overturn it. He acknowledged, however, that convening such a convention would be an extremely difficult undertaking. The Supreme Court had ruled the previous day that the Constitution guarantees citizenship to most people born in the United States, rejecting restrictions the Trump administration had proposed.

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Sources: WCJB TV20

Florida consumer sentiment falls for fourth straight month, hits two-year low

A University of Florida survey found that Florida consumer sentiment dropped 1.8 points in June to 71.1, its lowest reading since May 2024, even as national sentiment moved in the opposite direction. Four of the five index components declined, with Floridians’ expectations about U.S. economic conditions over the next year showing the steepest fall. UF researchers attributed the persistent pessimism to ongoing inflation pressures, particularly in everyday costs like gasoline, along with a state unemployment rate that remains above the national average.

Sources: UF News