Capital Report Rundown:
Tuesday, a Florida House subcommittee passed a bill that would shift control of reclaimed water away from water management districts and into the hands of utilities. As Janelle Irwin from member station WMNF in Tampa reports, even though the 12 to 2 vote shows support from representatives, not everyone thinks it’s a good idea.
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A massive effort to privatize about 30 South Florida correctional facilities is making its way through the Florida Legislature again. As Sascha Cordner reports, a Senate panel agreed Wednesday to move a pair of bills forward that would privatize the prisons AND change the way the privatization plan needs to be vetted.
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Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require the state attorney general’s office to defend teachers in certain legal cases. But, Regan McCarthy reports not all teachers are behind the move.
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Lawmakers are continuing their review of higher education and talking with more of the state university presidents. The talks are happening in the House Higher Education Committee, where, as Lynn Hatter reports, differences between the schools are starting to emerge, especially when it comes to issues like tuition increases for STEM degrees.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi says human trafficking is a problem in Florida. Bondi sponsored a resolution Wednesday having the Governor and Cabinet recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness month. James Call reports, Bondi is also behind a proposal in the legislature to empower a state-wide prosecutor to rescue the victims of what she calls modern day slavery.