Almost a decade after it was created the board that oversees the state university system is still working to get its footing. Over the past few months, conflicts and scandals at some of the schools have made state and national headlines. And as Lynn Hatter reports, the board’s chairman says his group should have more authority when it comes to the affairs of Florida’s universities.
Lawmakers in a House committee have given the okay to a number of claims bills. Regan McCarthy reports among the measures now moving through the house are two proposals the Senate President calls priorities.
A measure that would allow police officers, firefighters, and other special-risk employees to retire earlier is advancing in the House. But, as Sascha Cordner reports, there are a couple of provisions in the bill that opponents say would destroy the state’s pension plan system.
The House Economic Affairs Committee Friday rewrote a property-tax cut pushed by Governor Rick Scott. James Call reports the rewrite was a success and the proposal to create a new exemption for tangible property passed on a unanimous vote.
Going into this year’s Florida Legislative Session, it appeared property insurance might finally drop off of lawmakers’ radar screens. But Tom Flanigan reports, with three weeks to go in the session, the issue is once again a matter of some debate….