Jim Ash talks to Tom Flanigan about a late-called gubernatorial news conference today at the Capitol. As the House and Senate prepare to begin hammering out their budget differences, some question whether those differences are too vast for the two chambers to come to a solution before the 60-day session’s end. But Regan McCarthy reports leaders in the House are confident it can be done. Florida Senator Jack Latvala says he’s not ready to give up politics after he’s term limited in the Senate

A controversial pension reform bill that just passed the House is now in the Florida Senate’s hands. Sascha Cordner reports. Florida receives a $1.5 billion windfall from the federal government. Lynn Hatter and Tom Flanigan discuss where the money is supposed to go. Capital Report reporters Sarah Mueller, Nick Evans and Jim Ash review some of the week’s top legislative stories and how the need to come to an agreement on the state budget over the next few weeks is becoming ever more critical.

Florida is getting a big budget break in the form of one-and-a-half billion dollars in supplemental healthcare payments from the federal government. And as Lynn Hatter reports, hospitals are breathing a sigh of relief. The Florida House has approved a plan to give bonuses to teachers and principals. Nick Evans reports critics take issue with handing out money based on test scores that are sometimes decades old. A top priority of Florida’s Senate President is now ready for a floor vote. But after

After spending most of his political capital on a fight to save corporate tax incentives, Governor Rick Scott decided to weigh in this week on another business priority – rising workers’ compensation rates. Jim Ash has more. Senate Democrats are huddling to discuss proposed changes to nursing home funding. Nick Evans reports the chamber’s spending plan alters the way Medicaid dollars flow to facilities. The House and Senate are between two and four billion dollars apart on their spending

A bill building on Florida’s anti-human trafficking efforts is now heading to both the House and Senate floors. Sascha Cordner reports. A measure that would allow small scale bakers and bee keepers to expand their businesses is moving through the Florida legislature. Regan McCarthy has more.... Progressive activists are calling the arrest of five protesters Friday in Hemming Park unjust. As W-J-C-T’s Lindsey Kilbride reports, Jacksonville attorney John Phillips says he’s conducting a review of

The Florida House has unveiled plans to overhaul the state’s Medicaid program. The proposal includes new co-pays and work requirements. But as Lynn Hatter reports longtime observers say the program is stingy as-is, and they’re questioning whether the House plan is even feasible. The Florida House wants to eliminate Enterprise Florida, an agency responsible for recruiting businesses to the state. But Nick Evans reports some worry the House’s crusade against one agency could hamper broader

By scaling back the cost and size of a proposed reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, Senate President Joe Negron appears to be making progress with critics. But as Jim Ash reports, a deal is still far from certain. While several gun bills appeared stalled in the Florida Senate, a couple recently passed the House. As Sascha Cordner reports, one gives places of worship attached to a school the authority to allow guns on the property. Florida Public Radio’s Regan McCarthy, Nick Evans, Kate Payne and

The Florida House is forging ahead with a measure funneling millions of dollars to a pregnancy support organization that opposes abortion. Nick Evans reports the move could sideline Planned Parenthood. A Vero Beach Republican is winning the hearts of patient advocates – as well as the ire of some powerful opponents – with a bill that would ban health insurance companies from dropping prescription drug coverage without notice. Jim Ash has that story. Almost seven years after the Deepwater Horizon

The Florida House is advancing its plan for cutting taxes. Nick Evans reports on top of nearly 300 million dollars in reductions, lawmakers want to increase the homestead exemption by half. A proposed payment system for nursing homes is dividing the industry, with some praising a proposal in the Senate, and others saying it will hurt access to nursing homes for Medicaid patients. Lynn Hatter reports. Instead of heading to the Governor, a Stand Your Ground-related bill is now headed back to the

Lawmakers are trying to overhaul Florida’s beleaguered workers’ compensation system, but as Jim Ash reports, unions, legal experts and employer groups aren’t happy. Panama City Representative Jay Trumball’s legislation makes it easier to set up more trauma centers in the state. But hospitals say it will destroy the quality of care patients get. And as Sarah Mueller reports, doctors took to the Capitol to oppose the measure. The ball finally appears to be rolling for medical marijuana in the