Republican Representative Randy Fine’s plan to take the number of public universities from 12-to-10 has cleared a key House committee over the objections of Florida Poly and New College supporters as well as most Democrats. Lynn Hatter reports the plan has been changed to merge the schools into the University of Florida.
As the old late-session saying goes, “bills are dying.” That’s the case with an alimony reform bill, sent to the House floor today. Ryan Dailey reports its Senate sponsor is declaring it dead in the water.
After a woman gave birth alone in a Florida jail, lawmakers are working to make sure it doesn’t happen again. A bill moving through the legislature changes how pregnant inmates are treated. Robbie Gaffney reports.
Florida lawmakers keep raising the bar for citizens to place proposed amendments onto the ballot. Tom Flanigan has the latest.
In BROWARD County, a new nonpartisan group is trying to make sure the next round of elections go a lot more smoothly than 2018. It's called Citizens Audit Broward. Volunteers will use a few different apps … And yes, they know about Iowa, and say that won’t happen here. WLRN's Caitie Switalski [KAY-tee Swuh-TALL-ski] spoke with the the co-chairs Jamie Friend – president of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Boward. And George Navarini [NAH-vah-ree-nee] – Broward County chair of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly.
Under a Florida law that went into effect after the Parkland schooling, school districts are required to notify state officials about certain incidents involving school safety officers. Some of the incidents that have been reported since last May include a gun accidentally fired in a bathroom, an improperly stored firearm and “sexting” on the job. WLRN's Christine DiMattei talks with Sun-Sentinel reporter Skyler Swisher.
Reptile breeders are cheering a change to legislation they say could cripple their industry. But as Regan McCarthy reports many say the change doesn’t go far enough.