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‘How is this not unconstitutional?‘: Florida Senate higher education bill faces questions as it heads to full vote

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‘How is this not unconstitutional?‘: Florida Senate higher education bill faces questions as it heads to full vote


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In the state capital, a bill heading to the Senate floor could change how leadership is chosen within Florida’s higher education system.

Florida legislators pass bill that could reshape how universities select their leadership

The 15-page Senate Bill 1726 addresses various topics related to governance and accountability in Florida’s higher education institutions.

Sen. Alexis Calatayud, representing District 38, emphasized the bill’s intent to uphold academic excellence and accountability.

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“The legislation aims to maintain Florida’s commitment to academic excellence and accountability in higher education through changes in governance structure, responsible oversight, and enhanced transparency,” she said.

Under the proposed legislation, the presidential search committee would be required to present three applicants for “final consideration.”

In 2022, former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse was named the sole finalist for the presidency at the University of Florida. His appointment faced significant backlash from students.

UF Board of Trustees votes unanimously to select Sen. Ben Sasse as school’s president

Sasse stepped down in July, prompting a new search for leadership in Gainesville.

During the Senate Rules Committee meeting, Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, representing District 11, raised concerns about the selection process after the finalists are named.

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“Who picks the actual new president? Is it the trustees or is it the Board of Governors?” he asked.

Sen. Calatayud responded that the bill aims to ensure an institution-specific process.

“This bill is focused on making sure it’s an institution specific process and so we have that separation of the university trustees are selecting the president from the three applicants,” she said.

Ingoglia expressed concerns that this approach could shift decision-making authority away from the state level and the Board of Governors, which oversees the operation of the state university system.

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill discusses his Senate Bill 6B: Transportation of Inspected Unauthorized Aliens in the Fiscal Policy Committee meeting Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida legislators are meeting in a two-week special session to take up a list of issues proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Copyright 2023 the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Board of Governors consists of 17 members, 14 of whom are appointed by the governor. This board typically performs the confirmation process for university leadership. If the final decision were to rest with the university’s board of trustees, which has 13 members—six appointed by the governor, Ingoglia said that could raise some legal questions.

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“How is this not unconstitutional where you’re giving the trustees final say so over the [Board of Governors] when the constitution has it exactly the converse?”

In response, Calatayud said, “It is our belief and understanding that this is a process that is permissible constitutionally.”

Despite the pushback, the bill successfully passed its final committee vote and is now headed for the Senate floor.

Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.



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Florida

South Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open

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South Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open


On Monday, more than 800 faith leaders and community activists from across South Florida, crowded into the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Miami to demand the Miami Dade County Commission move forward with opening the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery.

“Are we OK with being told to wait when lives are on the line?” said Quanda Dupree, of the St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church. “Or do we believe real accountability means keeping your word? Even when things aren’t guaranteed. We believe our communities deserve more than a delayed response. We deserve action.”

The center – which was promised to voters back in 2004 – would take mentally ill individuals out of the jail and move them into a place where they can receive comprehensive treatment and support. The county has spent more than $50 million renovating the building and two years ago, a pair of non-profit groups were selected to operate the facility while numerous local groups and agencies have pledged their support, including the Homeless Trust. Funding for the first two to three years of the center is already in place.

And yet, the center remains empty – not helping anyone.



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SNAP benefits will be changing in Florida starting Monday

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SNAP benefits will be changing in Florida starting Monday


New SNAP restrictions will start Monday in Florida.

What we know:

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These changes will ban the purchase of many sugary sodas, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed, shelf-stable prepared desserts.

Hunger Free America, an advocacy group, is against these restrictions.

Joel Berg, the CEO, said some regulation is a good thing, but he wants to see it support access to healthy foods as a choice.

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“We do support mandates to mandate that healthier food is available in stores that do accept SNAP,” Berg said. “So, it makes a lot more sense to make it easier to get healthier food.”

Berg said these restrictions are unnecessary in achieving a healthier America.

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“We should make America healthier again by making healthy food more affordable, convenient and physically available,” Berg said. “We shouldn’t micromanage the eating patterns of adults to try to achieve that goal.”

The other side:

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This is part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic disease epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.”

What they’re saying:

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Berg said that these changes, on top of cuts to the program nationwide, will increase hunger.

“It’s not that low-income Americans don’t want healthier food; it’s that they can’t afford healthier food,” Berg said.

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This coincides with the announcement that there will be cuts to WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which supplies food to mothers and young children.

“President Trump’s budget just announced that he’s proposing taking away fruits and vegetables from the WIC program for pregnant women and children under five,” Berg said. “So, they’re taking away healthier food.”

The WIC cuts would take away $1.4 billion in fruit and vegetable benefits from 5.4 million people.

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Big picture view:

The SNAP changes come as part of the MAHA movement and include more than 20 other states that will implement changes over the next two years.

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The Source:  Information in this story comes from WIC, SNAP and interviews done by Fox 13’s Danielle Zulkosky.

Hillsborough CountyHealth



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GALLERY: Barrett-Jackson ‘Super Saturday’ takes over South Florida Fairgrounds

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GALLERY: Barrett-Jackson ‘Super Saturday’ takes over South Florida Fairgrounds


The engines are revving for one final day of high-stakes bidding and family fun at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction reaches its grand finale today with an action-packed “Super Saturday” lineup, promising to close out the weekend with a full slate of collector car sales, live entertainment, and fan attractions.

“Super Saturday,” presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, officially kicks off at 8 a.m. when gates, food courts, and the exhibitor marketplace open to the public.

What to expect

  • 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: The Fantasy Bid presented by Dodge begins early, running in tandem with the automobilia auction in the arena.
  • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Thrill-seekers can catch Dodge thrill rides on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track.
  • 10:00 a.m.: New amenities open to the public, including the Stella Artois, Staging Lanes, and Food Court patios, which offer shaded seating and auction views.
  • 10:45 a.m.: The national anthem will be performed in the auction arena, signaling the start of the main collector car auction at 11 a.m.
  • Afternoon Entertainment: DJ sets run from noon to 5 p.m. across the various patios, and a detailing clinic by Adam’s Polishes is scheduled for 2 p.m. near the South Showcase.

For those unable to attend, the whole event will be livestreamed throughout the day on the Barrett-Jackson website and the HISTORY channel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Today’s finale comes on the heels of a high-energy Friday that saw significant sales and notable celebrity interest.

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Star power was evident throughout the day, particularly with vehicles tied to the Busch family. A 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible owned by Samantha Busch and a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Custom Coupe were among the day’s heavy hitters, each fetching $159,500. Kyle Busch’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Coupe also drew a strong bid, selling for $143,000.

Other Friday highlights included:

  • 1968 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replica: $137,500
  • 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Mamba Edition: $132,000
  • 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom SUV: $126,500
  • 1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom Convertible: $121,000
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With a festival-style atmosphere and high-profile sales driving momentum, organizers expect a busy crowd for the final push at the auction block today.



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