Florida Legislature

Gov. Scott To Sign Budget; Veto Student Tuition Hike

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:02:57 +0000

Gov. Rick Scott plans to sign the $74.5 billion budget into law on Monday, but will announce that he is using his line item veto power.

Enjoy Florida's Wetlands Before They Disappear

Tricia Woolfenden — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:03:00 +0000

The recently-wrapped 2013 Florida Legislative session was an active one for those who track environmental issues in the Sunshine State.

How The Elections Bill Will Impact South Florida Voters

Gina Jordan — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:41:52 +0000

Many South Florida voters were still in line to cast ballots during the 2012 election hours after President Barack Obama had been declared the winner.

Twelve years after hanging chads and the infamous election recount, Florida was again a national punchline last November.

Florida Senate Passes Bill To Overhaul Citizens Insurance

Jim Turner — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:16:36 +0000

UPDATE 4:36 p.m. - The Florida Senate passed SB 1770 today, 24-15.

Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland, believes he has the votes to put his sweeping overhaul of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. up for a final vote in the Senate on Thursday.

Governor Says He'll Sign Internet Cafe Ban

Gina Jordan — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:05:14 +0000

Editor's note: This story was written by intern Jordan Michael.

Internet cafes operate under loopholes in Florida gaming law -- loopholes that will be closed after Gov. Rick Scott signs a bill into law.

University of Miami Medical Students Push For Needle-Exchange Program

Marva Hinton — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Chewing Gum, Sweat-Free Suits, And More: 5 Observations From The Capitol

Gina Jordan — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

We're nearly halfway through the legislative session, and your roving Capitol bureau reporters are ready for a nap.

We'll need one, since the busiest days are still weeks away.

It was quiet at the Capitol in the days before Easter. So this seemed like a good time to share some observations made while covering the Florida Legislature.

Everybody chews gum. Lawmakers and lobbyists in particular can, in fact, walk and chew gum at the same time.

Feral Cats Bill Pits Animal Welfare Advocates Against Conservationalists

Tricia Woolfenden — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:01:00 +0000

Animal welfare advocates are at odds with wildlife conservationalists as the Florida Senate prepares this week to look at a controversial feral cat bill.

Why Hasn't Florida Banned Texting And Driving?

Arianna Prothero — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:11:00 +0000

Steve Augello lives in Spring Hill Florida, just outside of Tampa. Like a lot of dads, he always made his 17-year-old daughter, Alessandra, check-in with him when she was out. Augello also had a rule.

“You weren’t allowed to have that cell phone out while you’re driving,” Augello remembers telling Alessandra. “I even tested her a few times I called her when she was driving and it always went right through to the recorder.”

How To Create A Specialty License Plate In Florida

Gina Jordan — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Have an idea for a specialty license plate in Florida?

You can create one by jumping through a few hoops, forking out some cash, and convincing the Legislature to approve it.

Just as lawmakers pass bills that Gov. Rick Scott signs into law, both the House and Senate have to vote for proposed specialty plates.

Take the proposed Sun, Sea, and Smiles specialty plate. For an additional $25 above the cost of a standard plate, drivers may soon be able to get a specialty plate that raises money for a half-dozen Caribbean-related charities.

With Majority Of Floridians In Favor, Lawmakers Debate Medicinal Marijuana

Karen Goldstein — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:00:22 +0000

My dedication to legalizing medical marijuana results from personal experience. My daughter has epilepsy, and although she was always compliant with her medication, she continued to have occasional seizures. When she moved to California for her job, and had yet another seizure, she met with a neurologist, who recommended that she join a medical marijuana dispensary. That was in 2000. She has not had another seizure since.

Referendum Would Give Miami Dade College A Half-Cent Tax

Theo Karantsalis — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:01:29 +0000

Lonnie Robinson fell on hard times in the early 80s with drugs and alcohol. Addiction kept him out of college for decades, and he found himself living under a bridge. During the day, Robinson found solace at a Miami Dade College library in Liberty City, where a reading program changed the future course of his life. He graduated from the college in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Floridians Would Get Right To Speak Before Public Boards Under Proposed Legislation

Theo Karantsalis — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:02:50 +0000

Citizens do not have the right to speak before a public board or commission takes official action, according to Florida’s Constitution. Though Florida citizens have a right to access public records and meetings, they do not have a right to be heard before governmental bodies take official action any given proposal. This means that city council members, county commissioners and other officials could vote on issues without letting citizens have their say.

Rep. Fasano: Medicaid Expansion 'Would Save Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars'

Gina Jordan — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:37:22 +0000

Now that legislative committees have voted not to expand Medicaid, House and Senate leaders want to look at alternatives that might still utilize federal funds.

New Port Richey Republican Rep. Mike Fasano is not towing the party line.

Listen: Youth Activists Go To Tally To Talk Immigration Reform, Voting Rights, Juvenile Justice

Gina Jordan — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

College students from Miami and elsewhere around the state are trying to keep the dream alive.

They came by bus to Tallahassee during the opening week of the legislative session. The group is known as the Dream Defenders.

Phillip Agnew, Executive Director of Dream Defenders, led a news conference inside the Capitol then spoke with us about the group’s legislative agenda.

On Last Day For Fundraising, Lawmakers Wine And Dine In Tallahassee

Gina Jordan — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:00:07 +0000

Let the last ditch fundraisers commence.

They’ve been going on for weeks now, but they're in high gear today.

This is the last day lawmakers can raise money before the Florida Legislature convenes for the regular session.

Session typically begins on the first Tuesday in March, and it means a 60-day moratorium on legislative fundraising.

How Will The Florida Legislature Tackle Property Insurance Rates? Good Question, Says Senator

Tricia Woolfenden — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Getting a handle on property insurance rates is a top priority in the upcoming Florida Legislature 2013 regular session, but it's no easy task, according to popular consensus at Monday night's Town Hall session hosted by WLRN and the Miami Herald.

"The legislature is in a terrible box," said Mary Ellen Klas, the capital bureau chief for the Miami Herald and a panelist at Monday's event. "This is one of the tough issues they have to grapple with."

Texting-And-Driving Ban Likely To Get Driven Out Of Florida Legislature – Again

Bill Andrews — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:02:23 +0000

As I lean my motorcycle into the curve that takes me onto I-95, I roll the throttle to accelerate up to highway speeds. Up ahead I see a car going well below the minimum speed of 45 mph, with the left turn signal on but swerving to the right. I give this big unknown a wide berth, and as I pass, I see the person gabbing it up on a cell phone.

WLRN Town Hall Tackles The State's Tough Issues Before The Legislature's 2013 Session

Tricia Woolfenden — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:57:54 +0000

Education, voting reform, property insurance, and political transparency were among the topics covered during Monday night's Town Hall event on Session 2013 of the Florida Legislature hosted by WLRN and the Miami Herald. The second annual forum marks the beginning of WLRN's coverage of Session 2013, which convenes March 5 and continues through May 3.

Environment Back On The Table This Legislative Session, Says Senate Majority Leader

Tricia Woolfenden — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:07:47 +0000

Tough economic times put environmental issues on the Florida Legislature's back burner in recent years, but this session should be different, according to Sen. Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater), who sat on the panel at Monday night's Town Hall Session 2013 hosted by WLRN and the Miami Herald.

Study Says Florida Could Boost Economy With More Advertising

Gina Jordan — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Florida gets about 87 million visitors a year. The nonprofit research group Florida Taxwatch wanted to know what would happen to the economy if that number reached 100 million.

The group did a study. The results suggest 121-thousand jobs would be created and other good things would happen to the economy.

So, the report recommends that the Legislature allocate more money for advertising.

State Asks For Half A Million To Reclaim $20 Million From Bankrupt Company

Arianna Prothero — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0000

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is asking state lawmakers for half a million dollars in order to recoup a $20-million investment in the now-defunct digital animation studio, Digital Domain.

And according to local experts, Florida has a tough fight ahead to get its money back.

The state originally gave Digital Domain $20 million in incentives in order to lure the company--and jobs--to Port St. Lucie. Four months ago, the firm filed for bankruptcy, shut down and let go 300 Florida workers.

Florida Gave Tax Breaks To Industries Blamed For Mass Shootings

Arianna Prothero — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Florida taxpayers are helping subsidize three industries that have been blamed for recent mass shootings: violent movies, bloody video games and high-powered assault weapons.

Why Is Gun Control Anathema In Tallahassee?

Phil Latzman — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:16:59 +0000

As New York and other states strengthen their gun control laws in response to the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the chances of that happening in Florida appear dim.

"Remember, this a Republican-controlled Legislature, and they are very much about trying to honor yhe Constitution and the Second Amendment," says our Tallahassee reporter, Gina Jordan.