The Florida Legislature is set to adjourn tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. But there may be a bit of tenseness surrounding the traditional end-of-session ceremonies. That’s because there’s some question as to whether many Democrats and Republicans will still be on speaking terms. A two-day battle between the parties in the House chamber culminated late Wednesday night with the passage of a manufacturing tax cut some say is unconstitutional. And Lynn Hatter reports House Speaker Will Weatherford himself was admitting the whole thing was probably not his chamber’s finest hour.
After those two days of hearing each bill read in full, the Florida House returned to business as usual today. Regan McCarthy reports lawmakers took up a list of bills that were coming back to the House after being changed or amended by the Senate.
Several more bills are headed to Governor Scott after Thursday’s [today’s] lawmaking session. Jessica Palombo reports, they include a watered-down overhaul of state-run Citizens’ property insurance and a controversial measure allowing Florida students to take online classes from out-of-state providers.
A bill extending the age for those aging out of Florida’s foster care system is now heading to the Governor. As Sascha Cordner reports, the measure aiming to help foster care kids have more of an advantage when they enter into adulthood has now passed the full state Legislature.
Both supporters and opponents of an alimony reform bill got a big surprise last night when Governor Rick Scott vetoed the measure. Still, as Ryan Benk reports, hope springs eternal for supporters who hope a last minute ploy keeps the matter in play.