Politics
Legislation boosting housing support for former foster kids advances
A bill to boost housing access for young adults who have spent time in the foster care system was unanimously advanced by the Senate Education Postsecondary Committee Monday,
Miami Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia presented the measure (SB 584) and started by explaining an amendment that was adopted that removed certain requirements found in the original bill, with Garcia saying the change emphasizes coordination rather than providing guarantees.
“Specifically, it removes the requirement for state agencies to act as co-signers or guarantors on residential leases for foster youth currently not under the voucher program,” Garcia said. “However, it does preserve the core provisions that support the federal Youth to Independence, the FYI program. Agencies are still required to coordinate with local housing authorities, identify eligible youth, and certify their child welfare history and also provide and secure supportive services for the duration of the housing voucher.”
The bill would support the FYI program by mandating a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fully implement it in Florida.
Boynton Beach Democratic Sen. Lori Berman asked why the bill was being amended, noting that she liked that youth were getting so much financial support. In response, Garcia said it was the fiscal impact that forced her to remove it from the original bill, but pointed out it was regrettable that it wasn’t able to be left in.
“The fiscal impact,” Garcia said. “The fiscal impact was going to be huge, and we wanted to make sure that we can take care of the ones that are currently under that program.”
Garcia said she was inspired by the youth that she has worked with during her time as a state senator, and noted the bill is one of many that works towards helping them succeed.
“You know, housing, we take it so for granted, sometimes we take our parents for granted,” Garcia said. “This is another wonderful bill of the many that we have run, that we continue to work on. All of us together, bipartisan, which is what I love to do.”
Garcia said that the bill would make housing a priority for vulnerable students by requiring Florida College System Institutions and state universities to give first priority and housing and work-study opportunities to students who are homeless or formally in the foster care system who are having difficulty aging out.
Schools would also be prohibited from requiring a co-signer or guarantor when vulnerable students receive housing assistance through state programs.
“I think that it’s very important that it expands all throughout Florida,” Garcia said. “Also, this ensures that young people aging out of foster care receive properly coordinated housing support.”
The bill further requires a state-wide study, directing the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct a comprehensive study on the barriers young adults face when trying to secure housing. The study must involve key stakeholders and be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2026.
The measure will now move to the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee.
It’s been two years since there were major reforms to Florida’s insurance regulations, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce says the updates have brought some stability to the industry.
The Consumer Protection Coalition released a report saying the rates of increase in insurance premiums for property and auto owners are dropping. The organization is advising state lawmakers to allow those changes to continue.
“The facts are crystal clear — insurance rates are stabilizing or dropping for Floridians,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber. “We cannot go backwards to the days when meritless litigation led to higher bills for hard-working Floridians.”
The Consumer Protection Coalition analysis shows that since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in March 2023, which eliminated risk-free litigation and other elements regarding legal battles surrounding insurance claims, there have been positive trends in prices.
According to the review, Florida had the lowest average homeowner premium increases in America last year, at 1%. That’s well below other states, where some had premium jumps as high as 22%. That’s about the level of increases Florida saw before the new law was approved two years ago.
The rate of increase in auto insurance rates has also dropped, falling from about 22% hikes in 2023 to a 0.8% rise in 2025.
And regulators in Florida have enforced more penalties on behalf of residents. The Office of Insurance Regulation has issued about $3 million in fines against insurers who have engaged in misconduct in the two years since reforms.
Insurance companies are embracing many of the reforms.
“We appreciate the legislative and regulatory reforms, which we believe have stabilized Florida’s marketplace, inspiring our conviction to bring new capital, capacity and expertise to help homeowners meet their property insurance needs,” said Stephen Weinstein, CEO of Mangrove Property Insurance Co.
“Assuming a continuation of a stable legal and regulatory framework in the future, together we can help Florida’s residents better manage the volatility of hurricanes and other hazards, strengthen their homes, and foster stronger, more sustainable communities.”
The shooter could be sentenced to 60 years in a state prison if convicted and given maximum penalties.
Ryan Wesley Routh will finally face state charges associated with his scheme to shoot President Donald Trump.
Attorney General James Uthmeier says Routh will be charged for the “attempted first degree murder of President Trump” and “terrorism.” Routh tried to fire at Trump on his own golf course last year in West Palm Beach, but Secret Service agents fired at the gunman before he fled and was eventually arrested.
During his announcement, Uthmeier blamed the Joe Biden administration for “stonewalling” Florida’s attempt to probe Routh’s actions since September 2024 and credited Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for helping to protect “Florida’s sovereign authority to do what is right and bring justice where it is due.”
Days after the suspect was apprehended, Trump called for Florida to investigate the attempt on his life, arguing that he trusted the state of Florida more than he did the FBI under Biden.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody agreed. The Governor argued that the feds lacked jurisdiction to pursue an attempted murder charge, and said that if he were convicted, Routh could spend his life in prison.
Routh faces two federal counts: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He could get 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted of these charges.
If Routh is convicted of both felony charges advanced by Uthmeier, he could serve longer than that.
For terrorism and attempted first-degree murder, the maximum penalty is 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Paul Smith to stage next runway show in Milan
Florida new jobless claims increase for the first time in a month
Exclusive: 38 female founders with $800 million in combined revenue ask Trump for small business tariff exemptions: ‘We are unintended collateral damage’
-
Entertainment8 years agoThe final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Politics8 years ago
Congress rolls out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda
-
Entertainment8 years ago
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
-
Tech8 years ago
Microsoft Paint is finally dead, and the world Is a better place
-
Tech8 years ago
Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO
-
Tech8 years ago
Ford’s 2018 Mustang GT can do 0-to-60 mph in under 4 seconds
-
Politics8 years ago
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt