Capital Report

The Florida Legislature convened in Tallahassee before the Thanksgiving holiday for an organizational session. New lawmakers were sworn in, and new leaders were installed. Chief Justice Charles Canady administered the oath of office to senators in groups of five. Then, Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) was nominated unopposed to be the 88 th Florida Senate President. Galvano was elected to the chamber in 2012 and previously served in the Florida House.

It seemed as though the tight race for U.S. Senate was a done deal on Election Night. Governor Rick Scott was out to unseat incumbent Senator Bill Nelson. WGCU’s Rachel Iacovone (yah-ku-VOAN-ee) was at the presumptive victor’s watch party. Certainly Florida’s U.S. Senate contest isn’t the only bone of contention. On Election Day, Andrew Gillum narrowly lost his bid to be the first black governor in the state’s history, as well as being the first Democratic governor in two decades. WLRN’s Jessica

Panhandle schools hit hard by Hurricane Michael are re-opening, and many students are experiencing a “new normal” as they return. Ryan Dailey reports some districts are having to get creative to get all students in the classroom. He recently spoke with two superintendents who are having to do just that. Weeks after Hurricane Michael made landfall in the panhandle, some displaced residents say FEMA has been slow to respond. Former Florida Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon says – it’s not

Weeks after Category 4 Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Panhandle, some displaced residents say FEMA has been slow to respond. So, we asked former Florida Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon to explain the process of local, state, and government response. Koon was a Governor Rick Scott appointee who may be best known for the controversy surrounding the Scott administration’s unofficial edict banning the term “climate change” from official communications.

In storm-ravaged Panama City, a new crisis is emerging: housing. Across the city, evictions are taking place as apartment complexes and rental units are condemned. Many of these are rent-controlled and income-based. Lynn Hatter reports that’s leaving hundreds of people scrambling for places to go. For some, there’s nowhere to go. Tom Flanigan reports the fury of Hurricane Michael did severe damage to the region’s financial services networks. Now the area’s bankers are doing what they can to

Panhandle Counties ravaged by Hurricane Michael are trying to rebuild, with many still waiting for power. Ryan Dailey recently went to Liberty and Calhoun counties, neighboring areas both dealing with their own challenges. Florida and the U.S. continue to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Orlando-based economic analyst Hank Fishkind says that, along with the storm's devastating human toll, there also will be a significant and long-lasting financial impact. Fishkind says Michael

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Ron DeSantis has released his plan for Florida’s economy. Ryan Dailey reports the former congressman bills himself as an enemy of taxes, as state Democrats attack him for his economic record in Washington. Veteran Republican lobbyist and advocate Mac Stipanovich shares his thoughts on the state’s gubernatorial race. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi this week announced an investigation into child sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Florida. As we hear from

Fundraising began this week for a state-sanctioned scholarship program that helps victims of bullying and other mistreatment at school. The Hope Scholarship program for K – 12 students is part of a sweeping education law passed by the Florida Legislature last March and signed by Governor Rick Scott. When the legislative session opened in January, House Speaker Richard Corcoran gave an impassioned speech about education.

Child advocates are pushing for changes in the way Florida law treats kids in welfare and the state’s juvenile justice system. Lynn Hatter reports the Children’s Campaign of Florida rolled out varying proposals Friday. Voters will decide whether to place victims’ rights in the Florida Constitution this November. Advocates say it’s necessary to give victims a voice in the criminal justice process. But opponents argue these rights already exist under Florida law. Shawn Mulcahy reports. Florida

The number of Floridians living in poverty has fallen since the Great Recession. But it’s still higher than the national average. According to federal data 14 percent of Floridians had incomes below the poverty line. The figure is closer to 13.2 percent nationally. Lynn Hatter takes a look what it means to live below the state poverty line, or in some cases, right on the edge. We told you last week about a minimum wage case before the Florida Supreme Court. We heard from supporters of a 2016

A minimum wage case before the Florida Supreme Court will determine whether Miami Beach can move ahead with an ordinance passed by the city commission in 2016. The issue is whether a 2003 state law stopping local governments from setting their own minimum wage supersedes a 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment. Miami Beach city commissioners voted to phase in a higher minimum wage that would reach $13.31 an hour by 2021. That would be about $5 more an hour than the state’s minimum wage.

The City of Miami Beach is in a battle with the state that could impact hundreds of Florida municipalities . It’s about home rule and the city’s ability to set its own policy when it comes to wages. Florida’s minimum wage is $8.25 an hour. The amount may go up each year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Miami Beach leaders voted two years ago to approve a higher minimum wage than the state.

Governor Rick Scott’s decision to start the process of appointing new Florida Supreme Court justices has ignited a looming constitutional crisis. Lynn Hatter reports at the center of the issue is who—the outgoing or incoming governor—has the authority to make those appointments. The City of Miami Beach is in a battle with the state that could impact hundreds of Florida municipalities. Gina Jordan tells us it’s about ‘home rule’ – and the city’s ability to set its own policy when it comes to

Just over a week after winning their respective races for governor, Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum announced their running mates. As Brenden Byrne from member station WMFE in Orlando reports, the selection for DeSantis is state lawmaker Janet Nunez and for Gillum, it’s his former gubernatorial opponent, Orlando businessman Chris King. Meanwhile, Florida Public Radio’s Sascha Cordner spoke to University of Central Florida Political Scientist Aubrey Jewett to discuss the

A surprise outcome in Florida’s democratic gubernatorial primary has Democrat’s hopeful to reclaim the governor’s mansion and wrest control from Republicans for the first time in 20 years. It also marks a strong shift to the left-and hopes rest with a man who could become the first black governor in Florida’s history. Ryan Dailey prepared this report. Congressman Ron DeSantis has won the Republican nomination for Florida governor. WMFE’s Brendan Byrne reports an endorsement from President Donald