Capital Report

Hundreds of government workers rallied in Tallahassee to protest what they call a war on the middle class.  James Call reports members of the labor union representing state county and city employees roamed the halls of the state Capitol to talk to lawmakers about policies they say favor the wealthy at the expense of working people.

A bill that would deny convicted drug felons from receiving temporary cash assistance, unless they go through a drug rehabilitation program, is now heading for a House floor vote. But, as Sascha Cordner reports, while the bill passed out of a House panel Tuesday, it received staunch opposition from Democrats, who claim the bill is mean-spirited.

Today’s (Monday’s) meeting of the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee began peacefully enough.  But Tom Flanigan reports things quickly turned tense when members began debating a bill that would change the state’s laws governing foreclosure….

A bill to shield public schools from lawsuits when groups use their facilities after hours is making its way through the legislature. Lynn Hatter reports the proposal has had an easy ride through most of its committee stops, and faces little resistance. 

Almost a decade after it was created the board that oversees the state university system is still working to get its footing. Over the past few months, conflicts and scandals at some of the schools have made state and national headlines. And as Lynn Hatter reports, the board’s chairman says his group should have more authority when it comes to the affairs of Florida’s universities.

Lawmakers in a House committee have given the okay to a number of claims bills. Regan McCarthy reports among the measures now moving through the house are two proposals the Senate President calls priorities.

Governor Rick Scott signed a bill Thursday to give a boost to Florida’s commercial space industry.  James Call reports, the measure will free up federal and state dollars to help build the facilities needed to launch equipment and people into space. 

It seems nearly everyone at the Florida Capitol now agrees that personal injury protection or “PIP” insurance fraud is a big problem.  Tom Flanigan reports the only thing those people disagree about is how to fix the problem…

A measure aimed at giving parents a greater say in what happens to a failing school is now heading to the House floor. Lynn Hatter reports the proposal is one that divides parent groups, and has opponents calling it a power grab.

Florida executed its third convicted killer in nine months Wednesday, prompting the age-old debate over capital punishment. Jessica Palombo of member station W-J-C-T in Jacksonville reports that both supporters and opponents of the death penalty say they rely on their faith to guide them.

Lawmakers in the Florida House are looking into legislation that would give tax breaks to businesses in the state. Regan McCarthy reports legislators are considering a measure that combines several of Governor Rick Scott’s business tax initiatives like doubling the corporate income tax exemption. It’s a move that would let thousands of businesses skip the tax that Scott says will allow for more jobs....

Senate President Mike Haridopolos has been one of the biggest proponents in the prison privatization debate. Sascha Cordner takes a look as to why the Merritt Island Republican feels so strongly about privatizing the state correctional facilities in South Florida as well as his tactics in an all-out attempt to accomplish that. 

Pregnant women who are inmates in Florida’s jails have been forced to go through labor and even delivery in handcuffs and shackles.  James Call reports a bill moving through the legislature would prohibit using restraints on most prisoners who are pregnant during labor, delivery and postpartum recovery 

A move to stop a prison privatization plan from moving forward failed to pass out of the Senate Tuesday. As Sascha Cordner, this comes ahead of Tuesday’s vote on the effort where both sides have been making a last ditch effort to plead their case.

A bill that would have granted sovereign immunity to emergency room doctors is changing as it moves through the legislature. Lynn Hatter reports a House panel has approved a series of amendments that supporters say would bring down the cost of healthcare. But the move has opponents arguing it would limit a patient’s right to sue for medical malpractice. 

Battle lines are being drawn in Florida. Democrats filed a lawsuit against a congressional redistricting map immediately after it was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature.  The Democrats contend that map and ones approved for the Florida House and Senate    violate new anti-gerrymandering standards. And James Call tells us, they and non-partisan groups that worked to pass the new law say the maps are attempts to circumvent the law and manipulate the political process.   

The Florida House Thursday passed a $69.2 billion proposed budget. It cuts payments to hospitals, directs more money to classrooms and increases tuition rates for college students. The House is ahead of the Senate in crafting a state spending plan for next year.  Senate budget subcommittees are still finalizing their recommendations. And James Call tells us, leading lawmakers predict there will be a robust discussion of certain items when the budget proposal makes it to the Senate floor.

Today’s (Wednesday’s) Florida House Session was a marathon.  Tom Flanigan reports members kicked things off promptly at a quarter-til-eleven in the morning and were scheduled to plow through the budget process until seven in the evening….

House lawmakers spent more time on some issues than others…

Florida Democrats are voicing their displeasure with several budget cutting proposals under consideration before the full chamber. Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the Legislature, but as Lynn Hatter reports, that didn’t stop the minority party from launching a series of criticisms --thinly disguised as questions— to try and poke holes in the Houses healthcare budget plans.