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Florida
‘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.
“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.
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
South Florida is experiencing a prolonged stretch of wet weather as deep tropical moisture combines with a stalled frontal boundary across the region.
The result has been frequent showers, thunderstorms, periods of heavy rainfall, and localized flooding concerns from Broward to Miami-Dade and throughout the Keys.
The atmosphere is loaded with moisture, allowing storms to produce intense downpours in a short amount of time.
Some neighborhoods have already seen several inches of rain, with additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through the end of the week.
Flood-prone streets and poor drainage areas remain especially vulnerable during the heaviest rainfall.
While the rain is helping ease drought conditions, it is also increasing the risk of flash flooding and travel delays.
South Florida is two weeks into its rainy season, when abundant heat and humidity combine to generate daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms.
Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty winds are common features of this time of year.
The good news? Drier air will gradually filter into parts of the region heading into the weekend, allowing rain chances to slightly decrease. Until then, keep the umbrella handy and be prepared for sudden tropical downpours.
NEWS
A man is in custody after deputies said he tried to kidnap a woman at a Wawa near Winter park. Per investigators, Matthew Seaberg approached the victim from behind, picked her up by the waist, and threw her into his truck.
Florida
Jury selection continues in fatal boat crash trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino
MIAMI — A new group of prospective jurors was questioned Tuesday in the trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino, who is charged in connection with a 2022 boat crash that killed a teenager in Miami-Dade County.
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During jury selection in a Miami-Dade courtroom, Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez asked potential jurors what they already knew about the case and whether they had recently seen or heard anything about it.
Several prospective jurors said they knew only basic details, including that a fatal boating crash occurred and that a teenage girl died. Others said they recalled media reports that alcohol may have been involved.
As questioning continued, some prospective jurors disclosed connections to schools and communities tied to the case.
Passengers aboard Pino’s boat included his wife, his teenage daughter and 11 of her friends, many of whom attended private schools in Miami-Dade County.
One prospective juror said they graduated from a local private school around the time of the crash and were familiar with some of the students involved.
Another said references to schools and witnesses brought back memories of seeing posts and articles about the incident shared on social media.
A third said their child participates in youth sports with students from schools connected to the case.
Investigators said the boat struck a channel marker while returning from an outing on Biscayne Bay. Seventeen-year-old Lourdes Academy student Lucy Fernandez drowned after the crash.
Tinkler Mendez also addressed concerns that a prospective juror had been viewing a news report about the case on a cellphone while waiting outside the courtroom.
Another prospective juror reported hearing the report but said it was not loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.
Tinkler Mendez reminded prospective jurors to avoid news coverage and social media discussions related to the case as jury selection continues.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
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