Did the Florida Legislature pass this bill to punish newspapers? Some lawmakers say yes

Florida Republicans resurrected and passed a bill changing the way legal notices can be published by local governments, a move that would strip revenue from newspapers. (Tampa Bay Times file photo)

Posted Thursday, March 10, 2022 9:55 pm

Kirby Wilson | Tampa Bay Times

For the second time in 11 months, the Florida House voted on Thursday to send a bill to Gov. Ron DeSantis that would strip Florida’s newspapers of revenue from legal notices.

Some lawmakers said the move is a jab at publications that sometimes publish stories and editorials critical of the Republican leadership in Florida.