Blaise Gainey

For years the Florida legislature has funded Visit Florida – a group charged with advertising and marketing tourism for the state. It works overseas, and around the country and also keeps track of the state’s tourism number. Now the agency is set to dissolve in October unless the legislature decides to keep it going.

But both chambers are at odds on whether it’s needed.

Just over a year since the Parkland school massacre, a comprehensive response on how to best prevent a future tragedy remains a work in progress, at least in the Florida Legislature. Before a key committee Thursday, the question boiled down to this: would parents be comfortable with placing their children’s safety in the hands of an armed teacher with eight hours of active shooter training? Although some insisted the answer to that question would most likely be “No!”, lawmakers kept moving in that direction.

One bill could cost stubborn city and county governments more money if they don’t follow state rules.

A House proposal would fine local governments and law enforcement agencies for not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Immigrant advocates say the bill is overbearing and goes too far.

Public commenters gave lawmakers an earful today when the implementing bill for 2018’s Amendment 4 came up in a House committee meeting. The amendment allows certain felons to vote. But that raises the question which felons can’t vote?

Governor Ron DeSantis has been adamant about wanting to import medications, to bring down prescription costs. But others aren’t on the same page.

Lawmakers have been voting on bills, and we’ve been following them closely. But Thursday, during the Senate session North Florida Democratic Senator Bill Montford took a moment to talk about something that hit close to home for him.

Lawmakers are considering a plan to get rid of Florida’s Constitution Revision. After some say the board is out of control. Blaise Gainey reports.

State Lawmakers beat the deadline given to them by Gov. Ron DeSantis today(Wednesday) and sent him a bill that would allow patients to smoke medical marijuana.

A joint resolution that’s making its way through the House would change the way campaigns for statewide races are funded.

While most of the news about state waters has been focused on red tide, those near the Indian River Lagoon have also been dealing with brown tide, which thrives off sewage. Now as Blaise Gainey reports, lawmakers are moving forward with a plan to increase the penalties a company would have to pay for a sewage spill.

Plastic surgery has become more and more common. But some don’t end up going as planned. Sometimes it can result in death. Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) presented a bill she believes will save lives.

On average, Policyholders with the state-backed insurer Citizens Property Insurance could see an 8.2 percent rate hike. Blaise Gainey reports the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will review the proposal Thursday.

In hopes of meeting Governor Ron Desantis’s March 15th deadline to repeal a ban on smoking medical marijuana, lawmakers in the senate have sent their bill to the Florida House. Bu not without making a few changes first. 

All dogs go to heaven, but those who cause that trip may face steeper penalties if a house proposal becomes law.