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Capital Report: 04-15-2014

During the past several years Governor Rick Scott has touted Florida as a refuge from “burdensome regulations’ and has made it a goal to get more businesses into the state. Florida’s unemployment rate has fallen below the national average during that time, but as Lynn Hatter reports, some groups argue the state continues to over-regulate businesses, and at least one group is targeting several industries they say, are primed for de-regulation.

Although Florida lawmakers filed more than eighteen-hundred bills this year, most measures were not destined to become laws. Some were too controversial in an election year. Some died alone with no companion measure in the other chamber. And, as Jessica Palombo reports, some bill sponsors simply lost the race against time.

Thanks to a law passed last year, Florida’s foster kids can now remain in the foster care system until they reach the age of twenty-one.  Although that law overall seems to be doing what supporters said it should, Sascha Cordner reports both the state’s child welfare agency as well as some foster kids themselves, say a few changes may still be needed.

Let’s say a child has been going through some tough times.  One day, the child acts up in school.  It’s so serious that school officials have the child taken into custody and sent off for psychiatric evaluation.  Under those circumstances, you’d assume a phone call to the parents would be made almost instantly.  But, as Jill Roberts with member station WQCS reports, at least one member of the Florida Legislature thinks a new law is needed to make sure that call is made.

After lawmakers announced they wouldn’t be passing an anticipated gaming overhaul measure this legislative session, Regan McCarthy reports advocates are racing to get a greyhound injury reporting measure passed before the session’s end.