The Florida Legislature is pulling the plug on the troubled Coalition Against Domestic Violence as allegations of financial improprieties swirl around the organization’s former director. A special House committee convened today (Monday) and heard testimony from Coalition board members and Steve Bousquet was there.
More than 5 million teenagers reported using e-cigarettes in November, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The legal age to purchase and use nicotine products is 18. That changes to 21 in June after a federal law was signed in December. Now Florida is adjusting its laws to reflect the national change, but as Blaise Gainey reports, the House and Senate aren’t aligned on what needs to be done.
This is the seventh week of the 2020 Florida lawmaking session and legislative leaders still have a pile of work on their to-do lists. high priority issues, like House Speaker Jose Oliva’s healthcare reform packages are among the issues mired in bureaucracy. Lynn Hatter reports that could hinder progress on other budget-related items.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has apparently dropped a monkey wrench on his potential success in winning over Florida’s Cuban voter bloc. In an interview with Anderson Cooper on “60 Minutes,” Sanders said he saw some redeeming qualities in dictator Fidel Castro’s leadership in Cuba. Ryan Dailey and Victoria Dominguez report some Florida politicos, thought leaders and voters are sounding off.
Florida pharmacists can already administer flu shots, now some lawmakers say they should be able to test and treat people for the flu too. Regan McCarthy reports the issue is scheduled for a committee discussion in the Senate Tuesday.
Stem cell research has shown both promise and peril. The cells can renew themselves indefinitely and turn into other types and researchers say that ability could help the body heal itself. The technology is advancing faster than government’s ability to regulate it. And that’s led to problems, such as a 2017 case where three women went blind after receiving stem cell injections to cure a degenerative eye disease. Since then, the federal government has taken measures to regulate stem cell clinics. Robbie Gaffney reports, Florida has been trying follow suit.