The Florida Legislature is tackling some controversial education-related issues this session. On some of these matters, the House and Senate are far apart. For instance, the House is moving ahead with a bill giving parents a say in the fate of failing public schools. It’s also fast-tracking a measure letting charter schools move into unused school district buildings. But Lynn Hatter reports the Senate is far less supportive. And then there’s the matter of the state’s newest university…
A sweeping package of changes to the way political candidates can raise money passed the Florida House on a largely party-line vote on Friday. Jessica Palombo reports, opponents of the bill say it favors incumbents and diminishes the voices of small-time campaign contributors.
A bill that would eliminate the state’s pension plan retirement option for new employees is now headed to the Florida Senate, after the House approved the bill Friday. But, as Sascha Cordner reports, even though the Republicans won the battle against the Democrats in the Florida House Chamber, Many Senate Republicans also seem opposed to the House pension reform plan.
Only a few years ago, Florida was the nation’s biggest supermarket for prescription painkillers. The legislature passed tough new laws against that trade last year and law officers beefed up enforcement. Now, as Steven Rodriguez reports, prescription drug deaths in Florida have taken a plunge.
Momentum may be building for the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida. Advocates say prescriptive pot is an effective alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for a number of ailments. Now a Florida senator is sponsoring a medical marijuana legalization bill and several groups are collecting signatures for a ballot initiative. But Tom Parkinson from Florida Public Radio station WMFE in Orlando notes the issue has long been a Sunshine State non-starter and opponents warn legalization could have unintended consequences.
This is Friday, the end of another tough week of lawmaking in Tallahassee, and certainly an appropriate time to kick back with a tall, tall beer or maybe a shot of boutique spirits. Florida’s consumers of adult beverages have reason to be in high spirits this week. Regan McCarthy reports three bills that would make it easier for craft breweries, distilleries and wineries to sell their products got legislative hearings.