Leaders of planning and environmental groups from across the state met at the steps of the Old Capitol on Monday in a last-minute effort to push the House to reauthorize the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The DCA manages growth and development and land use across the state.
Lawmakers have backed away from a demand that applicants for the merit-based Bright Futures Scholarship Program file for federal financial aid.
During a weekend budget conference, the House and Senate removed from a proposed Bright Futures overhaul the requirement that scholarship hopefuls file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA.
While Republicans are busy pointing fingers at each other over abuse of party credit cards, you hear barely a peep out of the Democrats.
Why is that?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed water standards for Florida will cost the state more than $1 billion -- nearly 30 times the EPA's estimates -- according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Florida and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said that the numeric water nutrient standards would create "significant ripple effects on suppliers and employees."
The study predicted that "more than 14,000 jobs will be lost."
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The Florida House passed a measure supporting Attorney General Bill McCollums lawsuit against the federal government for new health-care laws by a 74-41 vote. McCollum filed suit against the health-care legislation the same day that President Barack Obama signed it into law.
The lawsuit has already been filed, said Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, who said that his measure was about standing.
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Photo iStockPhoto.com/Andresr
Renewable energy legislation is being hailed by Florida's big investor-owned utilities (IOUs) -- but not so much by small-scale producers who fear they'll be cut out of the action.
While some retiring House members have complained about term-limits during their farewell addresses, Rep. Ed Homan, R-Tampa, said he still supported them but noted that term-limits paved the way for more power from special interest groups. Homan said one way of taking power away from the special interest groups would be to stop naming future speakers until after they have served four years in the House.
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Republicans, led by incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, questioned whether or not Fair Districts Florida is actually a grassroots effort.
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While the House debates adding more redistricting amendments to join the Fair Districts Florida measures already on the November ballot, one prominent Democrat who supports the Republicans is on the floor. U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, who has been vocal in opposing the Fair Districts measures, is on the floor, conferring with members.
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