Last year’s lawmaking was dominated by Governor Ron DeSantis, who was able to shepherd most of his proposals through a compliant Republican supermajority. Will the winds blow differently in Tallahassee this year? WUSF's Matthew Peddie talks with investigative journalist Jason Garcia about the continued consolidation of power in Tallahassee. But first, he asks political journalist William March whether the governor's pursuit of the presidency in other states will diminish his influence this session.
Florida Senate president Kathleen Passidomo is making access to healthcare her top priority for the legislative session. She’s outlined plans for bills to expand the state’s healthcare workforce and to encourage innovation in the healthcare field. And, as Regan McCarthy reports, Passidomo expects lawmakers to file at least a dozen other measures she says will fit into her Live Healthy initiative.
For more than two decades, Florida lawmakers have been ratcheting up requirements on the state’s public schools. The original effort, led by former Gov. Jeb Bush, led to the widespread expansion of standardized testing and the introduction of school grades with penalties attached. Now, as Lynn Hatter reports, lawmakers are trying to roll back some of those rules.
Legislation aimed at cracking down on social media will be making its way through both chambers in the upcoming Florida legislative session. House Speaker Paul Renner has made it a priority. Adrian Andrews reports the renewed focus comes after last year’s bipartisan push for greater restrictions on social media access and minors.
A Florida legislative proposal would permit more teenagers to work in situations that have been closed to them. Tristan Wood has been following that and tells Tom Flanigan all about it.
City officials across Florida are resigning. There have been dozens lately, just as a new law tightening financial disclosures went into effect January 1st. As Margie Menzel reports, the reasons given in their resignation letters range from health concerns to opposing the invasion of their privacy.