The big story: Never mind that Florida’s state government is dominated by Republicans. The leadership has found several areas to feud over as the 2025 legislative session reaches its midpoint.

Disagreements have surfaced on several fronts, including education, health care and more , USA Today Florida Network reports. The initial approval of budget proposals on Wednesday highlighted the separation.

The two chambers are starting off $4.4 billion apart , Florida Phoenix reports.

The House is seeking a more aggressive approach to cutting programs and the taxes that support them. Its Ways and Means Committee unanimously agreed to legislation that would permanently reduce the state’s sales tax , WUSF reports. Its proposal flies in the face of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wish to focus on property taxes, and Senate President Ben Albritton’s call for a one-year tax relief measure while taking a more deliberate approach to long-term action.

That’s not the only area where the sides differ. In education budget discussions, the conversation centered on a House proposal to cut in half the added per-student funding that schools can generate for student success in advanced and career-technical programs.

Lawmakers established the add-on money as an incentive to get more schools to offer AP, IB, Cambridge and career programs. As schools have taken up the challenge, their revenue from the program has grown — too fast, according to some House leaders. Senate leaders said they aren’t on the same page.

Students, teachers and parents have started organizing to fight the House plan, which they argue would hurt students’ opportunities. Read more here .

Hot topics

Classroom technology: The Leon County school board is poised to adopt rules for the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in classes , the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Immigration enforcement: The Florida Atlantic University police department has applied to work with the federal government enforcing immigration laws on campus , Florida Phoenix reports.

Legal counsel: The Polk County school board has five finalists to become its general counsel , the Ledger reports.

Library books: A House subcommittee amended its bill to redefine materials harmful to minors to mirror the Senate version as it advanced the legislation, Florida Politics reports. The senate companion was not heard in its most recent committee stop. • The Sarasota County school district plans to release a list of books it has removed from classrooms and libraries, the Venice Gondolier reports.

Research: Florida A&M University is fighting to get a canceled $16.3 million federal grant reinstated , the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Speed zones: Sarasota County officials say they have not experienced problems with school speed zone cameras that other counties have faced, WTSP reports.

Student-athlete compensation: The Florida House advanced legislation to set controls on name, image and likeness deals for student-athletes, Florida Politics reports. Related legislation in the Senate has not moved.

Term limits: A bill to place school board term limits in the Florida Constitution advanced in the House, Florida Politics reports.

University presidents: Gov. Ron DeSantis said he tried to help Randy Fine become president of Florida Atlantic University because Fine’s colleagues in the state Legislature disliked him , the Orlando Sentinel reports.

USF-New College discussions: Twenty former University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee leaders are urging officials to stop any move toward merging the school with nearby New College, WUSF reports.

From the police blotter ... A Broward County middle school custodian was arrested on allegations of possessing child pornography , WPLG reports.

Today in Tallahassee ... The full Senate convenes at 9 a.m. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in schools is available on special order. • The full House convenes at 12:30 p.m. HB 575 and HB 549 on the designation of the “Gulf of America” is available on special order.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup .

Before you go ... Have you heard Mongolian throat singing before?