It’s nearly the half-way point of the session and lawmakers have already sent a stern message to Washington about President Barack Obama’s diplomatic opening to Cuba. But as Jim Ash reports, some Republicans are planning to go a step further. They want to join four other states calling for a constitutional convention, and ultimately, a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution….Conservative Republicans are pushing Florida to join four other states in a “compact” that would eventually convene a constitutional convention. Organizers insist they can pass a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution within the next three years.
It was a busy day for the Florida House of Representatives. Matthew Seeger brings us this wrap-up of the action on the floor.
The Florida Senate is preparing to vote on a plan to scale back standardized testing in public schools. But as Lynn Hatter reports, significant differences between the House and Senate—could mean a lengthy negotiating process on education to come up with a plan to address public concerns.
The Florida House is close to amending the state’s civil rights act to prohibit pregnancy discrimination. Nick Evans reports it’s a symbolic move, and far from a sure thing, but Democrats are happy to see it moving forward.
The head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement received unanimous support at his initial confirmation hearing in the Senate this week. But, as Sascha Cordner reports, he spent much of the time reassuring a panel of lawmakers about his agency’s working relationship with Florida’s troubled prison system.
As budget negotiations between the Florida House and Senate approach lawmakers are carefully arranging their chess sets. But as Regan McCarthy reports some are worried House plan could end up checking state employees.