Capital Report

A week after one chamber of the Florida legislature accused the other of stonewalling, both sides are coming together to do the one thing that must be done each year—pass a budget. Lynn Hatter reports lawmakers are starting to lay the groundwork for bringing the legislative session in for a landing on time. It is standard protocol for police, firefighters, and paramedics to run toward the danger. Over time, that can take a toll on the mental health of first responders. Now, a measure in Florida

A number of public safety proposals have passed their first House committee. Like the Senate version bill, it does not include an assault weapons ban. Still, as Sascha Cordner reports, more people are starting to agree that while this isn’t the best bill, it’s not totally bad either. A measure that would expand Florida’s rules on issuing threats is moving forward. Regan McCarthy reports officials are pointing to the many copycat threats made following the school shooting in Parkland as a reason

The Aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting has flipped Florida’s Legislature, changing its focus to debates on firearms and school safety. Supporters of gun reform rallied outside the Capitol Monday with one clear message: action. Andrew Quintana reports. Several gun safety proposals passed their first Florida Senate committee. As Sascha Cordner reports, while top GOP lawmakers are calling the effort bipartisan, some of the Democrats who are pushing for more gun reforms

Following last week’s school massacre in Parkland, many are calling for increased gun regulation. But some are also citing mental health issues in America that need to be addressed. Shawn Mulcahy reports. A tax cut package moving through the House is facing pushback from animal rights activists, educators and working people. But Regan McCarthy reports it does include more tax free holidays and a break for nursing homes adding generators. Rick Flagg, the most senior radio reporter in the Capital

Hundreds of students from around the state rallied at the Florida Capitol Wednesday. As Sascha Cordner reports, they joined students from Parkland to promote their gun control cause and convince lawmakers to look into what they see as better policies. Florida lawmakers say they’re working to come up with legislation aimed at curbing school shootings like the one last week in South Florida. Students from across the state are joining those from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School to lobby

A group of law enforcement officials from across the state was looking into how to prevent future mass school shootings during an all-day Tallahassee workshop today (Tuesday). Sascha Cordner reports. Tom Flanigan reports a second all-day workshop at the Florida Department of Children and Families headquarters today focused almost exclusively on better ways to keep people who have violent-tendency mental health issues from obtaining firearms. Educators from across Florida are aiming to make

Just days after the massacre that left 17 of their classmates and teachers dead, student survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting have become prominent gun control activists. From member station WLRN in Miami, Jessica Bakeman introduces us to the grief-stricken young people who are determined to lead where they say politicians have not. What kind of reception might those students find when they arrive in Tallahassee? One hopeful sign from their viewpoint is that their visit

In the wake of the deaths of 17 people from a shooting at a Broward High School, people are once again focusing on school safety. Administrators and elected officials alike are pushing for more funding to shore up infrastructure, but some are beginning to wonder if that’s enough. A bill allowing certain Florida officials to make announced and unannounced visits to the state’s juvenile justice facilities is now heading to the House floor. Sascha Cordner reports. Despite high graduation rates and

Once again, Florida has been the site for a tragic mass shooting. Wednesday’s massacre at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, resulted in seventeen deaths. This is the eighteenth mass shooting in the United States so far this year and it took place in what the National Council for Home Safety and Security called the “Safest City in Florida” last year. From member station WGCU, Rachel Iacovone (yah-ku-VOAN-ee) spoke with an alumna of the school just after the news broke. In the wake

First up tonight—a debate. One that’s played out over the course of the 2018 legislative session and got some extended time in the spotlight Tuesday—with House Speaker Richard Corcoran debating Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum over immigration. The two have sparred over the issue via social media and as Regan McCarthy reports, both used Tuesday night’s debate to double down on their positions. All day care vans must include a safety alarm, under a bill that passed its first Florida Senate

An education bill is sparking debate about how universities receive performance funding. Shawn Mulcahy reports lawmakers are facing an important decision about the future of the program. Florida students who find themselves with excess credit hours might soon catch a tuition break. Lynn Hatter reports, a move is underway to roll back a policy that could charge them double-tuition. And the sponsor herself, is a college student. A bill that would allow sex trafficking survivors to sue hotels that

One of the biggest stories of the year has been the increasing number of people, mostly men that have lost positions of power due to sexual harassment. And the issue has hit politics particularly hard—from state houses to the halls of Congress. When the Florida legislature convenes in January, the specter surrounding one powerful lawmaker threatens to overtake the business of making laws for the state. Lynn Hatter reports on Clearwater Republican Senator Jack Latvala continued fight against

A powerful Florida Senator who is also vying to be the GOP candidate for governor has been toppled over accusations of public corruption and sexual harassment. Lynn Hatter has the latest. A state government agency charged with helping investigate sexual harassment complaints may not have the necessary resources if there’s a significant increase in the number of those complaints. Tom Flanigan has more. Opioid abuse may grab the headlines, but drug-related deaths overall are on the rise. And when

With the 2018 legislative session looming, state officials are doing their level best to defuse a widening sexual harassment scandal. Nick Evans reports the governor is ordering new training at state agencies. Outstanding prison lawsuits will mean less money to spend on Florida Department of Corrections’ priorities. That’s the message from the new Florida Senate Budget chair. Sascha Cordner reports. As the opioid epidemic swells the time of abused and neglected children coming into the state