In the Capitol building in Tallahassee - the Fourth Floor Rotunda is where state lawmakers enter their chambers every time they go to vote – on the laws that affect Floridians. All this week – between the two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate – six portraits have been on display … the faces of people affected by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Today [Friday] is the two-year anniversary of the tragedy in Parkland. The photos are a part of a larger exhibit called 'Anguish In The Aftermath: Examining A Mass Shooting.' And, Last Fall, WLRN's Caitie Switalski [Kate-EE Swuh-TALL-ski] visited the exhibit at the Coral Springs Museum of Art. We’re bringing you that story again now.
In the two years since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school shooting that left 17 dead. Since then, the legislature has passed several laws in an attempt to prevent more gun violence. Some of the changes include arming teachers, raising the legal age to purchase guns and removing weapons from people who police are worried might harm themselves or others. This session, Senate President Bill Galvano asked lawmakers to study the causes behind gun violence, but so far Blaise Gainey reports not a lot is happening.
Mental Health is on the minds of Florida lawmakers. Several bills to tackle suicide prevention, treatment for psychosis and insurance are pending before the legislature. Robbie Gaffney gives us a look at these proposals.
Political Environmental and Energy Reporter Bruce Ritchie has an update on what is – and isn’t – being debated by Florida lawmakers this session when it comes to the environment.
Let’s see what the future may hold at the Florida Capitol. Here’s Gina Jordan.
Florida’s iguanas are invasive. Last summer, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission put out a call encouraging people to feel free to kill any iguanas they find on their properties, or even on some state lands. No permit is required, but a plea quickly followed from the animal rights group PETA to please conduct those killings humanely. Now, Regan McCarthy reports lawmakers are looking into a bill that would ban the possession of the animals except in certain cases.