Posted inOrlando Area News
Orange County leaders back off proposed one-cent sales tax to fund transportation, conservation
Mayor Jerry Demings said he felt the timing of the proposal was off
McKenna Schueler
General news reporter for Orlando Weekly, with a focus on state and local government and workers' rights. You can find her bylines in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, In These Times, and Facing South.
Posted inFlorida News
Florida bill targeting unions inches closer to final passage despite some GOP concern
Roughly 100 workers testified against the legislation in its final committee hearing Monday. It still passed largely along party lines, with most Republicans in support.
Posted inImmigration
Trump’s immigration agenda sows fear among Central Florida tourism workers
About one-third of the nation’s hospitality industry workforce — in hotels, airports, restaurants and theme parks — are immigrants.
Posted inOrlando Area News
Winter Park Library and Events Center to get 51 more parking spaces by summer
The parking expansion project is expected to be completed by mid-May, weather permitting.
Posted inNews
Could Pulse memorial be affected by Florida’s proposed crackdown on city-funded DEI?
A proposal making its way through the state Legislature would prevent cities from funding any diversity, equity or inclusion initiative, with limited exceptions.
Posted inImmigration
Demings gives feds more time to renegotiate reimbursement for ICE detention costs
Federal officials requested the county extend their deadline for negotiations after Demings threatened to potentially cancel their agreement allowing the local jail to serve as a temporary detention center.
Posted inOrlando Area News
Orlando City Council to vote on $6.8M police drone program Monday
The new Axon drones would be used as part of a first responder program through the police department, according to a city memo.
Posted inPulse
Pulse nightclub to be demolished next month for memorial project
The Pulse sign will be taken down on March 10, while the building is scheduled for demolition beginning March 18.
Posted inAbortion Rights
Planned Parenthood to close Lakeland location next month
A Planned Parenthood spokesperson confirmed that the Orlando location remains open and has expanded services to ‘help fill gaps created by these politically motivated barriers.’
Posted inAbortion Rights
Florida agency quietly removes tool to find licensed abortion clinics in the state
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration until recently offered a clear search function on its website to find abortion clinics.
Posted inImmigration
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings threatens to cancel agreement with ICE over costs
Demings sent a letter to the feds expressing concern about how much it’s costing local taxpayers to house people detained by ICE in the Orange County Jail
Posted inNews
Discovery Cove accused of refusing to recognize divers’ union, violating federal labor law
Company management has allegedly refused to negotiate a union contract with workers who unanimously voted to form a union last year.
Posted inLabor
Florida bill targeting unions could be unconstitutional, staff analysis warns
As written, the bill could infringe on collective bargaining rights guaranteed to Florida workers under the state constitution
Posted inOrlando Area News
Orange County officials consider resolution symbolically opposing ICE facility
After hours of discussion and a fiery public comment period, county leaders ultimately delayed any formal action.
Posted inNews
Florida Senate advances bill to decriminalize drug checking tools
Under current law, the use or possession of any drug checking equipment other than fentanyl test strips is considered a criminal offense
Posted inNews
Orange County Sheriff’s Office buys ice-cream truck with money ‘seized from drug dealers’
According to OCSO, the total cost of the truck (including interior and wrap) was roughly $92,000
Posted inNews
Florida moves to incentivize employers to make it harder for their workers to unionize
It’s not a unique idea, and no, the bill sponsors didn’t come up with it themselves.
Posted inNews
Florida Republicans advance bill to allow ‘opportunity’ to earn less than minimum wage
Critics argued the bill undermines the will of a majority of Floridians who voted to raise the state minimum wage in 2020.
Posted inNews
Central Florida advocates launch ‘No ICE in our streets’ online petition drive
Petitions will be automatically filed with the signer’s local, state and federal representatives
Posted inNews
City to place construction fencing outside Pulse nightclub as next step in memorial process
Don’t worry, the fencing is not another hostile move by the state Department of Transportation.