As the legislature enters its final week in Tallahassee, the regular session is beginning to come into focus. At this point, Nick Evans reports, lawmakers have a pretty good idea of what’s passing and what will have to wait until next year.
Governor Rick Scott will have to decide soon whether he wants to give his Department of Economic Opportunity more power to green light planned communities, shopping malls and other large construction projects. As Jim Ash reports, environmentalists spent much of the session fighting the attempt by conservative Republicans.
The House’s prison reform package is now on its way back to the Senate for approval, before it can head to the Governor’s desk for the final OK. Sascha Cordner reports.
For the first time in two years, Florida lawmakers are preparing to award more than 13-million dollars to Floridians who have been injured by local governments and medical entities. The claims bill process is one of the most contentious issues in the legislature. But as Lynn Hatter reports, change is hard to come by and many victims of government injuries are left holding the bills.
Drones have become an ambitious new frontier, finding applications in the private and public sectors. But as Matthew Seeger reports, Florida lawmakers are still trying to stay ahead of curve by limiting the use of the flying technology.
When lawmakers passed legislation to shut down internet cafes, associated with illegal gambling activities, they also created a legal grey area for amusement games. Amusement chain Dave and Busters says the law has kept Florida off its list of locations for rapid expansion. But Regan McCarthy reports a measure aimed at clearing that up is on its way to the governor’s desk.