Florida’s fight with the federal government over plans to purge the voter rolls hit a new high this week as both entities announced dueling lawsuits over the issue. The state is accusing the federal government of stonewalling its efforts, and the feds say the purge is unconstitutional. Lynn Hatter reports as the fight drags on, more people are weighing in on what is becoming an increasingly contentious issue in a battleground state.
Not long after a government watchdog group dubbed Florida the number one state in the nation for corruption, the Florida Commission on Ethics is looking for a little more authority. Regan McCarthy reports the commission is creating a list of proposed bills to present to the legislature with the hopes they’ll be given the teeth to ensure the state’s ethics rules are enforced.
Florida Governor Rick Scott’s “Stand Your Ground” taskforce heard from opponents and proponents of the state’s self-defense law this week. As Ronald J Ebben reports, the group held its meeting not far from the city where Trayvon Martin was to death by self-proclaimed neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman.
It’s been more than two years since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion caused the worst oil spill in history. Now, Florida and four other afflicted Gulf Coast states have their eyes on Congress because, as Jessica Palombo reports, a committee is considering legislation that would send the states an expected $18 billion dollars in relief money.
Lee Memorial Health System in Southwest Florida is taking a big step toward cutting operating expenses. Food preparation and equipment
Sterilization for its four hospitals – plus a sixty bed rehab center – will move to a central location later this year. It’s also extending its purchasing by partnering with other hospital systems. Valerie Alker from member station WGCU in Fort Myers has more on this new approach to meeting increasing demands with decreasing resources.
Agriculture is still Florida’s number two industry, right behind tourism. Corn makes up a large part of the state’s farm output. And Tom Flanigan reports some cutting edge research is underway that could make corn even more of a Florida cash crop….