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DeSantis blasts House on its potential cuts to law enforcement budgets | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-16 14:29:00

(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continued his war of words with the Florida House of Representatives, accusing the lower chamber of planning to cut law enforcement spending in its budget proposal Wednesday.

He said at a news conference in Fort Myers in southwest Florida that the House’s budget proposal, House Bill 5001, would force Florida state troopers to keep cars with more than 100,000 miles on them, defund salary hikes for law enforcement officers and fails to fund replacements for in-car cameras and ballistic armor.

The second-term GOP governor also said the House’s budget would cut 84 trooper and 73 state law enforcement dispatcher positions. 

He said Republicans have the largest legislative supermajorities in state Republican Party history because of the leadership they’ve provided, but that the House is trying to overturn six years of conservative policy. 

“A lot of people ran in the House and Senate on the same record, but what’s going on in Tallahassee right now with the Florida House of Representatives is really treacherous,” DeSantis said. “What they’re doing, because they all ran on this agenda. They never ran against law enforcement. I can tell you that because they would have gotten shown the door by the voters if they had done that. They never ran on trying to overturn our reforms in higher education.

“They never ran on joining with Democrats to try to manufacture smears against the administration the governor, even the First Lady. They’ve tried to do that on they never ran on any of that stuff, but that’s what they’re doing. They are not doing what they told you they would do. They are effectively stabbing the voters in the back with this really, really terrible agenda. This is the swamp in action. This is the swamp trying to strike back after six years of success.”

In his budget proposal, DeSantis wants 20% salary increases for entry-level state law enforcement officers, such as state troopers and investigators, and 25% for veteran state law enforcement officers and state firefighters. These increases for 4,700 state law enforcement officers and 730 state firefighters would cost an additional $118.3 million annually. 

House leaders bragged about their budget proposal being $6 billion less than last year’s appropriation and $2 billion less than what DeSantis seeks. 

DeSantis is facing scrutiny over a $10 million contribution by health care giant Centene, which is being investigated by the state House of Representatives, which has a Republican supermajority. 

The governor has been locked in a battle with House leadership since January, when they balked along with their Senate counterparts about DeSantis’ call for a special session to handle immigration enforcement.

After several weeks of negotiations, both sides arrived at a compromise.

The House also is in disagreement with DeSantis over tax reform. DeSantis wants a one-time property tax rebate and a ballot initiative for permanent relief, while the House has passed a bill that would cut the state’s sales tax from 6% to 5.25% that the governor says would help non-residents. 

The post DeSantis blasts House on its potential cuts to law enforcement budgets | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

News from the South - Florida News Feed

Sheriff Waters set to hold first of 6 town hall meetings where community can share concerns, ask questions

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www.news4jax.com – Ashley Harding – 2025-07-07 16:24:00

SUMMARY: Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters will host six town halls to engage with community members about local concerns. The first is scheduled for July 8, 2025, in District 6, covering Northside, San Mateo, and Oceanway. These meetings build on last year’s sessions, focusing on what worked and what didn’t. Sheriff Waters and District 6 commander Mike Silcox will provide updates and address issues like traffic and crime, which has dropped over 16% this year with fewer than 50 homicides reported. Waters is also prepared to discuss tougher topics, including the ongoing investigation into Charles Faggart’s in-custody death.

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American kids have become increasingly unhealthy over nearly two decades, new study finds

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www.clickorlando.com – Laura Ungar And Jonel Aleccia, Associated Press – 2025-07-07 10:01:00

SUMMARY: A new study shows U.S. children’s health has declined over 17 years, with increased obesity, chronic illnesses, and mental health issues like depression. Obesity rose from 17% to 21% in kids aged 2-19, and chronic conditions rose from 40% to 46%. U.S. children also face higher mortality rates compared to peers in other wealthy countries, with more deaths from prematurity, sudden infant death, firearms, and accidents. Experts warn current policies, including cuts to health programs, may worsen trends. Researchers urge a comprehensive approach examining children’s environments city-by-city to address these complex health challenges.

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Texas flooding: Search for survivors continues

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www.youtube.com – FOX 35 Orlando – 2025-07-07 07:43:27

SUMMARY: Search and rescue teams continue efforts in central Texas following devastating flash floods that have killed 82 people, including 28 children in Kerr County alone. At least 41 individuals remain missing, including ten girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic. The floods caused catastrophic damage, uprooting trees, sweeping away homes, and breaking concrete slabs, with locals describing it as a once-in-a-generation disaster. Rescue efforts are concentrated along the Guadalupe River, with helicopters active daily. Volunteers and residents are aiding cleanup, but the area still faces potential flooding, heightening the urgency of ongoing search missions.

Search and rescue operations continue across Texas’ Hill Country days after a 20-foot “deadly flood wave” rushed down the Guadalupe River, decimating communities and leaving at least 82 people dead with dozens still missing.

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