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Capital Report: 03-03-2017

Florida lawmakers will debate education issues that include big changes to higher education and k-through 12 schools in this year’s legislative session.  Recess could become mandatory, tuition less expensive and Bright Futures access expanded under proposals in both the House and Senate as we hear from Lynn Hatter.

One of the big debates taking shape this legislative session is about state involvement in economic development. The capitol’s powerbrokers are picking sides in the battle, which threatens to derail session before it even begins. Kate Payne reports.

Over the past several years, every single Florida Legislative Session has included spirited – and sometimes nasty – debate about guns.  This year continues that tradition, as  Joseph Zeballos-Roig reports state lawmakers have filed over a dozen bills seeking changes to existing gun laws.

Florida Republican lawmakers are pushing punitive immigrant and refugee legislation once again this session. Similar proposals died last year. But as Sarah Mueller reports, last year’s campaign season may be stimulating appetite for change.

If you’re taking bets on the legislative session this year, here’s another reason you may want to call your bookie. Odds are looking good gambling will become a major session issue. Regan McCarthy the House and Senate don’t appear to see eye-to-eye when it comes to a state gambling plan.

After thick, green algae clogged South Florida water ways, Senate President Joe Negron sent water quality to the top of his legislative priorities.  But while his policy prescription get plaudits from environmentalists, Nick Evans reports Negron faces opposition in the House and from the Governor.

What’s ahead legislatively for Florida prison and juvenile justice systems? Sascha Cordner reports.

Workers compensation isn’t the sexiest item on the 2017 legislative agenda.  But it promises to be one of the fiercer fights as lawmakers face enormous pressure to deal with a fourteen-and-a-half percent rate hike hitting every employer in the state.  More from Jim Ash.