Lawmakers are beginning to tackle the opioid crisis. But while seemingly everyone agrees the Legislature needs to intervene, Nick Evans reports the road ahead might be a little bumpy—as even supporters seem to have quibbles, tweaks or additions they’d like to offer.
One of the first major pieces of legislation is moving forward—an effort to expand both merit and need-based financial aid programs and revamp the way students pay tuition at universities. Lynn Hatter reports the measure has bipartisan support despite concerns about part of the plan pushing the schools to get kids out within four years.
Democrats Representative Shervin Jones and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum are speaking out against preemption policies. Shawn Mulcahy (mul-KAY-hee) reports they’re pushing back against what they view as quote “the war on local communities.”
“Project Leo” could launch statewide, under a bill that has passed its first House committee. As Sascha Cordner reports, it would make it easier for law enforcement to track missing people with special needs.
Florida Gulf Coast University began its spring semester this week, but for some students Tuesday, that meant wading through a sea of reporters and officers just to get into their classroom. WGCU’s Rachel Iacovone (YAH-ku-VOAN-ee) has more.
Bob Brooks from our sister operation the Florida Channel takes a look at some of the other major bill action happening in the Legislature.
A bill that would ban the use of steroids in racing greyhounds passed its first hurdle in the House. But Regan McCarthy reports another bill has been filed that would specifically legalize the drug.