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Capital Report: 03-05-2019

Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized “bold action” during his first-ever State of the State address to the Legislature.  Tom Flanigan reports.

Florida’s House and Senate leaders set the tone for the 2019 Legislative Session Tuesday with their opening remarks. Ryan Dailey was on hand to hear how President Bill Galvano and Speaker Jose Oliva kicked things off.

Senate President Bill Galvano’s transportation bill passed its first committee today.  But that passage was anything but smooth sailing as the measure was met with strong opposition. And, as Blaise Gainey tells us,  Governor Ron DeSantis is also opposed to that part of the plan that would mean more toll roads to be built in Florida.

Firefighters are at a greater risk of developing cancer than most other professionals, according to federal research.  They’re also at greater risk from dying from it. But cancer isn’t explicitly part of their insurance coverage. South Florida Senator Anitere Flores wants to change that. And as Lynn Hatter reports, momentum is building to do it this year in the Florida legislature.

Since the end of the shuttle program in 2011, Florida has worked to court private space business to fill the gap. Now, other states like Georgia, Texas and Colorado are looking to capitalize on the private space boom. WMFE’s space reporter Brendan Byrne reports on how stakeholders along with the Governor and Legislature are hoping to hold on to Florida’s dominance in the space industry.

And now Gina Jordan gives us a preview of some expected highlights during Day Two of the lawmaking session.

After years of failure, Florida is trying again to address insurance reform this session. It’s targeting a practice known as assignment of benefits. Morgan Martin has more.