A bill exempting recordings of mass shootings from the public record cleared the Senate Wednesday [today]. Shawn Mulcahy reports the House version is headed to that chamber’s floor. The Florida League of mayors brought municipality heads to the Capitol Wednesday to oppose preemption bills this legislative session. Ryan Dailey reports about 30 mayors also met with Attorney General Ashley Moody to discuss Florida’s mental health system. Over the years DNA testing companies have been becoming more

Florida lawmakers say they want to crack down on human trafficking—specifically sex trafficking. And the legislature is considering increasing penalties on those who solicit for prostitution. Lynn Hatter reports bills now on the move would tackle both issues simultaneously. In November voters in Florida restored voting rights for felons who have completed their sentence and did not commit a murder or sexual offense should be restored. Now 4 weeks into session lawmakers are trying to pass

Lawmakers in the Senate today (Monday) passed a bill that would implement Amendment 4, which allows certain felons to vote. But as Blaise Gainey reports proponents of the amendment argue it’s self-enacting and the bill that passed not only isn’t needed but also may not meet constitutional muster. Some Florida lawmakers say it’s too easy to change the state’s constitution. They want to raise the bar in an effort to keep what they say are policy changes out of document that lays the ground work

In the shattered remnants of the old Florida Department of Commerce came a number of public-private partnerships back in the mid-1990s. One of them, the tourism marketing corporation called Visit Florida. In recent years, that organization has attracted more and more general revenue help from the Florida Legislature. But now there’s a possibility both that money and the organization itself could be coming to an end. Unless, as Blaise Gainey tells us, the Florida House and Senate can reach some

Just over a year since the Parkland school massacre, a comprehensive response on how to best prevent a future tragedy remains a work in progress, at least in the Florida Legislature. Before a key committee today (Thursday) the question boiled down to this: Would parents be comfortable with placing their children’s safety in the hands of an armed teacher with eight hours of active shooter training? Although some insisted the answer to that question would most likely be “No!”, lawmakers kept

A bill ( HB 1335 ) requiring minors to get a parent’s consent for abortions passed a House committee this week. The debate was mostly civil, but some audience members had to be escorted out . Florida law says parents have to be notified when their daughters seek abortions. Under the proposal, parents would have to give their permission. The House Health Quality Subcommittee heard from a string of women who’ve had abortions, but who have differing opinions about the bill.

A House proposal would fine local governments and law enforcement agencies for not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. As Blaise Gainey reports immigrant advocates say the bill is overbearing and goes too far. A bill moving through the Florida House would make changes to the work requirements for people who receive public assistance. The bill’s Republican sponsor says the goal is to ensure children aren’t punished for their parents’ actions. But Democrats say the devil is in the

Tuesday was Coding Day at the capitol as part of an initiative to promote computer science education . Students, some in elementary school, are lined up at computers getting ready to show off their work to state leaders. “We need more computer scientists. We need more data scientists, and in the state of Florida alone there are 8,000 computing jobs open, not necessarily all for computer scientists," says Mary Snapp, Corporate Vice President of Philanthropies for Microsoft. "Some of them are for

Public commenters gave lawmakers an earful today when the implementing bill for 2018’s Amendment 4 came up in a House committee meeting. The amendment allows certain felons to vote, but the argument has been which felons can’t vote. Blaise Gainey reports. Florida lawmakers are considering a plan to deregulate a number of professions including barbers, nail specialists, geologist and interior designers. Regan McCarthy has more…. An effort to preempt local occupational and professional licensing

Stories of high-priced prescription drugs and mothers having to choose whether to buy medicine or food are staples of the prescription drug price debate. Governor Ron DeSantis is responding to those issues by proposing the state import medications from other countries. But as Blaise Gainey others aren’t on the same page. The Florida House is tackling healthcare reform. Efforts in the past have yielded incremental results, but Lynn Hatter reports that’s not stopping House Speaker Jose Oliva, even