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April 7, 2021

Florida’s most recent revenue projections are looking brighter than state lawmakers had planned for. Economists have referred to 2020 as the lost year of investment, as businesses were ordered to close and millions lost their jobs. As Valerie Crowder reports, Republican state lawmakers have credited recent growth to Governor Ron DeSantis’s push to reopen the economy.

A decade-long effort to curb the use of seclusion and restraint on kids with disabilities could reach a conclusion this year. But the outcome may be disappointing for disability rights advocates. Lynn Hatter reports lawmakers are on the verge of banning seclusion practices. But Disability Rights Florida worries it could have the opposite effect when it comes to restraints like strait jackets and handcuffs.

Democratic lawmakers and South Florida community advocates are teaming up to oppose a measure that would make it harder to sue farms. Robbie Gaffney reports proponents of that measure claim growers are using it as a cover to support sugarcane burning that adversely impacts communities of color.

Federal law now bans anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing vape products. But Florida lawmakers say more needs to be done to curb the dangerous habit. Regan McCarthy reports a measure moving through the legislature creates a framework for regulating nicotine products like e-cigarettes.

Florida’s Senior U.S. Senator Marco Rubio addressed members of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce this (Wednesday) morning at the Hilton Naples. As we hear from WGCU’s John Davis, there were a lot of topics on the table.

For decades, women in Florida who give birth and don’t have health insurance have been eligible for two months of Medicaid, the public health program. But now, lawmakers from both parties in the Florida House of Representatives want to extend the 60 days of Medicaid coverage after birth to a full year. Supporter say this will especially help black mothers. From WLRN, Veronica Zaragozia has more.