A Florida Republican is teaming with a top New York Democrat on Capitol Hill to urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to do more to cut down on the growing number of suicides across the nation. 

This week, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-NY, teamed up on the “Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act.” The bill would have HHS create a five-year program for hospitals to better prepare their emergency departments to identify, assess and treat individuals at risk for suicide. 

Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Indialantic, and Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, filed Monday the Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act, SB 676 and HB 465, designed to promote and enhance the safe operation of high-speed passenger rail systems in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday questioned a proposal to increase Florida’s minimum wage through the constitutional amendment process, warning about effects on the restaurant industry.

DeSantis focused on the minimum wage proposal as he railed against policy-oriented constitutional amendments that he said put “handcuffs” on future legislation, as he opened an Associated Industries of Florida conference at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center in Tallahassee.