Douglas Soule

Tallahassee

Florida Government Reporter at WUSF-FM (Tampa, FL)

Florida’s First Amendment reporter. Writing for the @USAToday Network-Florida 🌴// Last stop: @mtnstspotlight via @report4america ⛰// WV native

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Articles

FSU student recalls running for her life, seeking shelter during deadly shooting

1 week ago | wusf.org | Meleah Lyden |Douglas Soule

It was a warm day on Florida State University's campus, and Ana Martins was ready to sunbathe in the grass on the campus green. With her tote bag, a towel and a water bottle, the freshman finance student sat down to enjoy the sun while FaceTiming her mother. They were chatting about Holy Thursday and what time she was going to go to Mass. But then she heard screaming. "I saw a lot of people running, and I was a little confused," Martins recalled.
Florida lawmakers advance condo legislation amid cost crisis

1 week ago | wusf.org | Douglas Soule

Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at helping condominium owners beset by rising costs. “What I will fight for is to make sure that condo owners see a safe future in their homes at a cost they can afford,” said Sen. Jennifer Bradley, a Republican from Fleming Island who’s one of the legislators behind the effort. A Senate committee approved her bill, SB 1742, on Tuesday. A House panel moved forward its version of the legislation, HB 913. Both passed unanimously.
Florida House and Senate approve budgets with big differences to resolve

2 weeks ago | wusf.org | Douglas Soule

The Florida House and Senate approved very different state budgets on Wednesday, kicking off negotiations with a large gap to close. The Senate’s proposal tops $117 billion but falls just short of the amount legislators passed last year — before Governor Ron DeSantis issued his vetoes. The House’s budget is $4.4 billion less. Gov. Ron DeSantis, meanwhile, wants a $115.6 billion budget. Center stage moving forward are dueling tax changes pitched by DeSantis and legislative leadership. Gov.
'Florida Farm Bill' advances, targeting fluoride in water and 'mislabeling' of plant-based food

2 weeks ago | wusf.org | Douglas Soule

The state Senate’s sweeping “Florida Farm Bill” has made it through its final committee, propelled by Republicans despite heated objections to several of the provisions. One of the most contentious changes would prevent public water systems from using fluoride. Fluoride, which is used to prevent tooth decay, is used in at least 29 counties, according to a bill analysis.
'Florida Farm Bill' advances, targeting fluoride in water and 'mislabeling' of plant-based food

2 weeks ago | health.wusf.usf.edu | Douglas Soule

The state Senate’s sweeping “Florida Farm Bill” has made it through its final committee, propelled by Republicans despite heated objections to several of the provisions. One of the most contentious changes would prevent public water systems from using additives like fluoride. Fluoride, a mineral used to prevent tooth decay, is used in at least 29 counties, according to a bill analysis.
These Florida bills target contentious social issues

2 weeks ago | wusf.org | Douglas Soule

Contentious “culture war” bills loom less large this Florida legislative session than in past years. The Senate, House and governor’s office are no longer in near-complete lockstep, ending a period marked by a steady stream of legislation boosting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ national profile before the 2024 presidential election. Instead, they’re locking horns over issues like government spending and taxes. Florida’s cost of living is high, and so are tensions over how to fix it.
Florida lawmakers move on state sales tax cut despite DeSantis opposition

3 weeks ago | wusf.org | Douglas Soule

Going against the wishes of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a bipartisan group of lawmakers moved on a proposal to reduce Florida's sales taxes by billions of dollars every year. The Florida House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved a measure Wednesday that would permanently reduce the state sales tax on many goods and services from 6% to 5.25%. Other sales taxes for commercial rent, electricity, coin-operated amusement machines and new mobile homes would also be sliced by the same 0.75% rate.
Here's how proposed constitutional amendments work in Florida

3 weeks ago | wmnf.org | Douglas Soule

By Douglas SouleThe modern Florida Constitution was adopted in 1968. But it’s still being written. Floridians have voted to modify the state’s governing charter in almost every election cycle since then. In this year’s legislative session, lawmakers are trying to put even more constitutional amendments on the ballot. They’re simultaneously trying to make it harder for citizens to do the same. Floridians can expect plenty of headlines about this throughout the year.
How do proposed constitutional amendments work in Florida? We explain

3 weeks ago | wlrn.org | Douglas Soule

The modern Florida Constitution was adopted in 1968. But it’s still being written. Floridians have voted to modify the state’s governing charter in almost every election cycle since then. In this year’s legislative session, lawmakers are trying to put even more constitutional amendments on the ballot. They’re simultaneously trying to make it harder for citizens to do the same. Floridians can expect plenty of headlines about this throughout the year.
How do proposed constitutional amendments work in Florida? We explain

3 weeks ago | wusf.org | Douglas Soule

The modern Florida Constitution was adopted in 1968. But it’s still being written. Floridians have voted to modify the state’s governing charter in almost every election cycle since then. In this year’s legislative session, lawmakers are trying to put even more constitutional amendments on the ballot. They’re simultaneously trying to make it harder for citizens to do the same. Floridians can expect plenty of headlines about this throughout the year.