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Capital Report: May 12, 2023

As Leon Superintendent Rocky Hanna faces sanctions by the state, he’s been on the receiving end of an outpouring of public support. Hanna is one of nearly a dozen superintendents that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates. Hanna has also openly criticized some of the governor’s education policies. That criticism is at the center of a parent complaint that landed Hanna in the crosshairs of the Florida Department of Education, which has accused Hanna of using his quote: “official position to attempt to politically influence others under” his authority. The state has announced it intends to punish Hanna. Now, as Lynn Hatter tells us, the superintendent’s supporters are saying they’ve got his back.

Governor Ron DeSantis has given his approval to a bill that lets doctors, medical workers and insurance providers refuse to perform or pay for medical care because of a conscientious objection. Regan McCarthy reports the governor signed the measure and several others during a bill signing ceremony Thursday.

Florida lawmakers have included a multi-million-dollar expansion plan for the Florida State Guard. The civilian military group was revived by Governor Ron DeSantis last year. Now as Adrian Andrews reports, the plan for growth is drawing concerns from human rights groups across the state.

Mark Wilson, the longtime head of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, tells Tom Flanigan the state’s business community came out pretty well during this year’s lawmaking session, especially when it came to reducing business litigation.

A lack of affordable housing has been a widespread concern during the pandemic. Southeast Florida is home to one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. Discriminatory policies, resistant landlords, and a shortage of affordable housing options in Broward County have been especially problematic for people experiencing homelessness. Now, a new county department is helping those who are eligible for federal housing vouchers find apartments. WLRN's Gerard Albert the third reports.

It's been more than seven months since Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Southwest Florida, and local governments are still racing to repair the damage left by the storm. In Punta Gorda, crews are trying to deal with thousands of cracked seawall panels throughout the city, as WGCU’s Sandra Viktorova (VICK-tore-OH-vuh) reports.

An increasing number of Floridians agree that human actions are causing climate change, including a record number of Republicans, as WMNF’s Chris Young reports.