>> THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WERE IN SESSION
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
WE WILL SHOW YOU WHAT THEY ARE
CONSIDERING INCLUDING BILLS
ABOUT EDUCATION, STAND YOUR
GROUND AND MORE, ACTION IN THE
SENATE AS WELL AND AN
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SENATE
PRESIDENT ABOUT A COMPROMISE
WITH THE LAKE OKEECHOBEE
PROPOSAL.
"CAPITOL UPDATE" STARTS NOW.
♪
>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL UPDATE"
YOUR REVIEW OF STATE GOVERNMENT
FOR TUESDAY APRIL 4.
I'M THERESA MARSENBURG.
A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES
PREGNANCY SUPPORT SERVICES TO
THOUSANDS OF WOMEN COULD SOON BE
PERMANENTLY WRITTEN INTO STATE
LAW.
THE MEASURE HAS CRITICS.
REBECCA BAER JOINS US OUTSIDE
THE HOUSE CHAMBER WITH MORE ON
QUESTIONS LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN
ASKING ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
>> THE PROGRAM HAS EXISTED AND
HAS BEEN FUNDED BY THE STATE FOR
10 YEARS.
SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S TIME TO MAKE
IT A PERMANENT PART OF STATUTE
INSTEAD OF HAVING TO REAUTHORIZE
IT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS
EVERY YEAR.
THE PREGNANCY SUPPORT SERVICES
PROGRAM PROVIDED HELP TO 24,000
WOMEN IN THE LAST YEAR.
THE CENTERS FROM THE NETWORK
OFFER SERVICES THAT SOLELY
PROMOTE CHILDBIRTH.
THOSE INCLUDE PREGNANCY TESTS,
COUNSELING AND MOST RECENTLY
WELLNESS SERVICES EITHER
PROVIDED AT THE FACILITY OR
THROUGH REFERRALS.
EACH YEAR THE PROGRAM IS
AUTHORIZED THROUGH PROVISO
LANGUAGE IN THE STATE BUDGET BUT
NOW I BILL WOULD MAKE IT A
PERMANENT PART OF STATE LAW.
THE MEASURE WAS ADDED TUESDAY ON
THE HOUSE FLOOR.
>> THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN
PROVIDING WOMEN SERVICES FOR
OVER 10 YEARS.
IT'S HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND I
THINK WE SHOULD ALWAYS TRY TO
GET WOMEN TO THE SERVICES THAT
THEY NEED ESPECIALLY WHEN IT
COMES TO BEING PREGNANT.
>> THE BILL REQUIRES SERVICES
WHERE INFORMATION CAN BE
DELIVERED IN A NONCOERCIVE WAY
WITHOUT RELIGIOUS CONTENT BUT
SOME QUESTIONED HOW PROVIDERS
HANDLE CLIENTS SEEKING ABORTION.
>> REPRESENTATIVE TOLEDO.
>> THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER.
WE WOULD TELL THE WOMAN THAT
CAME IN WHAT TYPE OF SERVICES
THAT WE OFFER BUT WE WOULD NOT
REFER HER OUT TO AN ABORTION
CLINIC.
>> OTHERS WERE CONCERNED OVER
THE NETWORK'S WELLNESS PROGRAM
AT A PILOT PROJECT THAT BEGAN IN
FEBRUARY.
REPRESENTATIVE LORI BERMAN SAID
MANY OF THE CLINICS DON'T HAVE
DOCTORS ON SITE.
SHE PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT THAT
WOULD HAVE REMOVED THE WELLNESS
PORTION OF THE BILL.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE
SHOULD BE FUNDING THESE WELLNESS
SERVICES WHILE WE DON'T KNOW WHO
WAS GOING TO BE MAKING THE
REFERRAL AND HOW IT'S GOING TO
BE PAID FOR.
I WOULD ASK THAT EVERYBODY
SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT SO THAT
WE DO NOT HAVE TO PUT THE STATE
IN A POSITION OF SUPPORTING AN
UNTESTED PILOT PROGRAM.
>> THE AMENDMENT FAILED.
MEANWHILE MINORITY LEADER JANET
CRUZ POINTED OUT THAT THE STATE
ALREADY SPENT MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS TO SUPPORT SIMILAR AND
IN SOME WAYS MORE EXTENSIVE
SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HEALTHY
START.
>> IN MY OPINION IT COULD BE A
DUPLICATE OF WASTE OF TAXPAYER
DOLLARS AND I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE
IMPOSING UPON THE TAXPAYER AN
UNNECESSARY MIDDLEMAN AND I
WONDERED IF YOU AGREED.
>> REPRESENTATIVE TOLEDO.
>> THANK YOU LEADER AND I
RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE.
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER RESOURCE
FOR WOMEN.
>> SOME MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO
VOTE ON THE BILL WEDNESDAY.
A SENATE COMPANION PASSED ITS
FIRST COMMITTEE STOPPED THREE
WEEKS AGO AND HAS TWO MORE
STOPS.
>> THANKS REBECCA.
NOW WE WILL TAKE A LIVE LOOK
INTO THE HOUSE.
AT THIS HOUR LAWMAKERS ARE
WORKING ON OVERHAULING THE
STATE'S CONTROVERSIAL "STAND
YOUR GROUND" LAW.
HOURS AFTER HOUSE DEMOCRATS
AGREED TO UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSE THE
PROPOSED CHANGE.
THE MEASURE WHICH SHOULD GET A
FINAL VOTE WILL WEDNESDAY WOULD
PUT THE BURDEN OF PROOF ON
PROSECUTORS NOT DEFENDANTS IN A
SELF-DEFENSE CLAIM.
>> WE HAVE SEEN INCIDENTS WHERE
INDIVIDUALS HAVE SHOT AND KILLED
AND USED STAND YOUR GROUND TO
GET OFF AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S
A GOOD MEASURE AND I DON'T THINK
THE LEGISLATION SHOULD BE
SUPPORTING SUCH BAD LEGISLATION.
>> THE MEASURE WOULD REVERSE A
2015 FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
RULING THAT SAID DEFENDANTS HAVE
TO PROVE THAT THEY USE STAND
YOUR GROUND AND SHOULDN'T BE
CHARGED WITH A CRIME IF THEY
SHOT SOMEONE.
INSTEAD UNDER THE BILL
PROSECUTORS WOULD HAVE TO SHOW
WHY SOMEONE ISN'T ALREADY
PROTECTED BY THE LAW.
>> IT'S ABOUT INTIMIDATION.
IT'S ABOUT ACTIVITIES THAT GO ON
IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT TELL
PERHAPS A GANG MEMBER THAT IT'S
OKAY TO GO KILL ANOTHER MEMBER
AND STAND UP AGAINST SOMETHING
LIKE STAND YOUR GROUND.
THIS GOES MUCH DEEPER THAN JUST
PROTECTING YOURSELF.
>> DESPITE THE DEMOCRATS
POSITION THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY
IN THE HOUSE HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY
SUPPORTED THE MEASURE.
THE SENATE HAS ALREADY APPROVED
A SIMILAR MEASURE.
THE HOUSE IS POISED TO APPROVE
LEGISLATION SETTING MINIMUM
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS AND
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR
RIDESHARING COMPANIES.
>> THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A
FRAMEWORK THAT PROTECTS RIDERS
DRIVERS AND ANYONE WHO CHOOSES
TO ENTER INTO THE ECONOMY.
LAWMAKERS HAVE STRUGGLED TO
DEVELOP SOME KIND OF STATEWIDE
REGULATION FOR UBER AND LYFT
WHICH WORK ACROSS CITY AND
COUNTY LINES.
THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES
OPPOSES THE MEASURE BUT THE
HOUSE APPROVED OF IT WEDNESDAY.
THAT'S WHERE YOU SEE THE
COVERAGE, $100,000 PER DEATH PER
INCIDENT AND 25,000 FOR PROPERTY
DAMAGE.
THAT'S BEFORE THEY CLICK ON
ACCEPT THE RIDE.
AS SOON AS THEY ACCEPT A RIDER
IT GOES TO 1MILLION.
38 STATES HAVE APPROVED LAWS
WITHIN FLORIDA COMPANIES OPERATE
ONLY UNDER LOCAL REGULATIONS
ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA THE TAMPA
AREA IN GAINESVILLE AND
TALLAHASSEE.
A SIMILAR MEASURE CLEARED THE
HOUSE LAST YEAR BUT FAILED IN
THE SENATE.
BOTH SIDES ARE IN AGREEMENT.
HOUSE MEMBERS ARE ALSO ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION BILLS
PRESENTED TO THE FULL BODY
TUESDAY AFTERNOON INCLUDING A
BILL IN AN EFFORT TO CLARIFY THE
LEGISLATURE'S INTENT IN 2011
WHEN THEY PASSED A LAW GETTING
RID OF WHAT WAS COMMONLY
REFERRED TO AS TEACHER TENURE.
THE GOAL WAS TO NO LONGER ALLOW
CONTRACTS WITH TEACHERS
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE
PERFORMING WELL.
>> TO CLARIFY THE ANNUAL
CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
THE BILL DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENTS.
IT CLARIFIES THE TERMS OF ANNUAL
CONTRACTS UPON BECOMING LAW.
>> DESPITE THE LAW SOME TEACHERS
UNIONS HAVE NEGOTIATED CONTACTS
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO GUARANTEE
ACCESS TO MULTIPLE ONE-YEAR
CONTRACTS.
>> WHY ARE WE TRYING TO TAKE
AWAY THE RIGHTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL
BOARDS TO MAKE THIS
DETERMINATION FOR THEMSELVES AS
TO WHETHER THEY WANT TO GO THIS
WAY OR NOT?
SHOULDN'T WE LET THIS BE AN
ISSUE OF LOCAL
SELF-DETERMINATION WHERE SCHOOL
BOARDS CAN MAKE UP THEIR OWN
MINDS?
>> I WOULD REFER YOU TO THE BILL
THAT WAS PASSED IN 2011.
THAT DECISION WAS MADE BACK
THEN.
I'M NOT HERE TO DEBATE THE
MERITS OF THAT BILL.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT THIS
LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL JUST
CLARIFIES THAT SO SCHOOL BOARDS
AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENTS CAN MOVE FORWARD IN A
CLEAR CONCISE WAY AND WE DON'T
GET INVOLVED WITH SPECIAL
MASTERS OR IMPASSE AND THAT'S
ALL THIS BILL DOES.
>> HOUSE BILL373 IS NOW READY
FOR A VOTE ALONG WITH ANOTHER
BILL THAT WOULD RELAX SOME OF
THE CLASS-SIZE REDUCTION
MANDATES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN A
POST-SECONDARY BILL THAT ALLOWS
COLLEGES TO WAIVE CERTAIN FEES
FOR STUDENTS IN THE MILITARY.
THE FLORIDA HOUSE HAD NEARLY
FOUR DOZEN BILLS ON ITS AGENDA
INCLUDING A MEASURE THAT WOULD
ALLOW SUPERMARKETS TO SELL HARD
LIQUOR NEXT TO BEER AND WINE.
ALCOHOL WALL BILL AS IT'S CALLED
WAS POSTPONED AT THE HOUSE TO
GET MEASURES AIMED AT
PROHIBITING DETERMINATION BASED
ON RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN
SCHOOLS THROUGH SOME QUESTIONED
IF HOUSE BILL303 ON SENATE
BILL436 WOULD BLUR THE
CONSTITUTIONAL WALL SEPARATING
CHURCH AND STATE.
>> ARE YOU AT ALL CONCERNED THAT
WITH THIS BILL WHAT WE ARE
ESSENTIALLY SAYING IS THAT
RELIGIOUS GROUPS WILL BE GIVEN
ACCESS TO TAXPAYER-FUNDED TO SO
THESE IN A WAY THAT VIOLATES THE
ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE OF THE
CONSTITUTION?
>> REPRESENTATIVE DANIELS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK
YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
AS I READ THE FIRST AMENDMENT
ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE THE FREE
EXERCISE CLAUSE AND THE NO
RELIGION TEST CLAUSE ALL LINE UP
WITH MY BILL.
>> STILL LEFT ON THE AGENDA OF
THE HOUSE AND SENATE GAMING
PROPOSAL.
BOTH WOULD RATIFY A NEW GAMING
CONTRACT WITH THE SEMINOLE TRIBE
AND SHARE A PORTION OF GAMBLING
REVENUES.
THE MEASURES DIFFER IN EXPANDING
SLOT MACHINES, SEVERAL
PARI-MUTUELS REQUIRING LIVE
RACES.
PERMIT HOLDERS WHO ACCIDENTALLY
SHOW THEIR WEAPON COULD BE
CRIMINALLY CHARGED.
CURRENT LAW ALLOWS LAW
ENFORCEMENT TO CHARGE SOMEONE
WITH A MISDEMEANOR FOR THE FIRST
OFFENSE.
SENATE PRESIDENT JOE NEGRON
ANNOUNCED A COMPROMISE IN HIS
PLAN TO ADDRESS POLLUTED
DISCHARGES FROM LAKE OKEECHOBEE.
SENATE BILL10 HAS BEEN WORKING
THROUGH COMMITTEES.
A BILL THAT HAS SPENT MORE THAN
$2BILLION TO CREATE STORIES TO
THE LAKE WHERE WATER CAN BE
DIVERTED.
TODAY PRESIDENT JOE NEGRON
ANNOUNCED AN AMENDMENT WILL BE
PROPOSED THAT WOULD ADDRESS MANY
OF THE OBJECTIONS INCLUDING A
COST.
THE BUDGET WILL BE $1BILLION
LESS THAN ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF
THE STATE WOULD USE LESS THAN 60
ACRES OF LAND.
>> THE RESERVOIR IN ADDITION TO
STORAGE WILL BE IN THE RANGE OF
100 TO 120BILLIONGALLONS AND
AS YOU REMEMBER IN AUGUST WHEN I
TALKED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR
PART OF THE PROGRAM I SET A GOAL
OF 120MILLIONGALLONS OF
SOUTHERN STORAGE SO THIS PUTS US
IN THE RANGE OF 100 TO
120BILLIONGALLONS.
THE FOOTPRINT IN THE EAA WILL BE
REDUCED BY DEEPENING THE
RESERVOIR.
THE AMENDMENT CONTEMPLATES THE
RESERVOIR BEING 14FEET DEEP.
>> PEOPLE WHO WORK IN
AGRICULTURE SOUTH OF THE LAKE
ARE PROTESTED ALL ALONG THAT THE
PLAN WOULD PUT SO MUCH IN THE
PRODUCTION THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR
JOBS.
THE AMENDMENT OFFERED NO
OPTIONS.
SELECT THEIR STRONG DEVELOPMENT
COMPONENTS THAT WILL ASSIST THE
GLADES COMMUNITY INCLUDING
ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT OF THE
CLEWISTON AIRPORT AND ALSO
LOOKING AT THE INLET PORT IN
ADDITION TO TRAINING PROGRAMS
FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
OF THE STORAGE CAPACITY SOUTH OF
THE LAKE.
MORE DETAILS WILL BE DISCUSSED
IN THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE TOMORROW AFTERNOON.
COLLEGE STUDENTS WERE BORROWING
MONEY FOR STUDENT LOANS WOULD
GET A REMINDER EVERY YEAR IN THE
MAIL TO REMIND THEM OF THOSE
LOANS.
SENATE BILL396 WOULD HAVE
COLLEGES SEND OUT INFORMATION
ANNUALLY SHOWING THEM THEIR
ESTIMATED TOTAL STUDENT LOANS
ARE THE TOTAL PAYOFF PRICE FOR
THEIR EDUCATION AND THE
ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENT AND
HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE HIM TO PAY
IT OFF.
SENATOR AARON BEAN SAYS THEY
WANT STUDENTS IN THE STATE TO
HAVE THIS INFORMATION SO THEY
CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.
HE SAID PARENT PLUS LOANS WOULD
BE INCLUDED IN THE INFORMATION
TO STUDENTS.
>> MEMBERS AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW
STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS EXPLODING,
$2600 EVERY SECOND SO WE WANT TO
GET SOME INFORMATION TO OUR
COLLEGE STUDENTS SO THEY CAN
MAKE A GOOD DECISIONS WHETHER OR
NOT TO BORROW MONEY OR NOT TO
BORROW MONEY.
>> SENATOR BILL MONTFORD SAID
STUDENTS YET HEARD FROM ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING HELP TO
PAY FOR STUDENT LOANS.
PROVISIONS TO PUT INFORMATION ON
HELPING STUDENTS PAY BACK LOANS
WILL NOT BE IN THE BILL.
SOME QUESTIONED THE INTENT OF
THE BILL.
>> IS THE INTENT FOR STUDENTS TO
CONTINUE THEIR SCHOOLING AND
MAKE IT MORE FISCALLY
RESPONSIBLE OR IS THE INTENT FOR
STUDENTS TO SEE THAT THEY ARE
SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY AND DROP
OUT?
AFTER HEARING TODAY'S QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS THE BILL IS READY
FOR A FINAL VOTE IN THE SENATE.
LAWMAKERS DECIDED TO RIGHT THE
WRONGS OF THE PAST.
I APOLOGIZE FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD
ABUSE AT THE DOZIER SCHOOL FOR
BOYS.
"CAPITOL UPDATE'S" MIKE LICQUIA
TALKED WITH FORMER STUDENTS AND
JOINS US.
UP UNTIL THE 1960S MANY
STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL WERE
BEATEN BY STAFF.
>> TODAY ONE SENATE COMMITTEE
ACKNOWLEDGED THE PAIN OF MANY OF
THOSE STUDENTS.
FROM ACROSS THE STATE THEY CAME
TO THE CAPITOL.
THE SURVIVORS OF ABUSE AT THE
DOZIER SCHOOL FOR BOYS.
>> I WAS ABUSED.
I WAS BEATEN.
YOU HAVE TO EXCUSE ME.
THE MEMORIES ARE STILL THERE.
THEY NEVER GO AWAY BECAUSE WE
WERE ALL CHILDREN.
WE WERE BABIES.
>> I WAS BEATEN FOR EATING
BLACKBERRIES OFF A FENCE.
I WAS BEATEN BECAUSE I COULDN'T
PRONOUNCE THE SCHOOLTEACHER'S
NAME TO HIS SATISFACTION.
I WAS BEATEN BECAUSE I WAS
TERRIFIED AND WANTED TO RUN AWAY
AND TOLD ANOTHER CHILD THAT
STORY.
I GOT BEATEN BECAUSE ANOTHER
CHILD AND I DID TALK ABOUT
RUNNING AWAY.
SEXUAL ABUSE AT THAT SCHOOL WAS
RAMPANT.
I PERSONALLY WAS MOLESTED BY A
MEDICAL DOCTOR.
>> RICHARD HUNTLEY SAID HIS
SPIRIT DIED IN MARIANNA IN 1959.
>> AND WHEN I SAW THAT CHURCH
STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
ROAD ALL THE MEMORIES CAME BACK.
I WAS TREATED SO BAD AND THE
BEATINGS WERE SO SEVERE THAT
WHEN I GOT BEATEN I JUST WENT
OUT OF MY BODY AND MY BODY TOOK
THE PAIN BUT WHEN I WENT BACK TO
A CONFERENCE THERE AND LOOKED AT
THAT CHURCH I HAD SEEN MY OWN
FUNERAL ALL OVER AGAIN.
>> SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
PASSED DARRYL ROUSON'S SENATE
RESOLUTION1440 ACKNOWLEDGING
THE ABUSES OF THE PAST AT THE
DOZIER AND APOLOGIZING FOR THEM.
>> AS I WAS SITTING HERE I
COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK WHAT IF
THIS HAD BEEN MY CHILD?
I WAS BORN IN 1956.
I WAS LIVING AT THE TIME THIS
WAS GOING ON AND IT'S HARD FOR
ME TO EVEN IMAGINE THAT WE
ACTUALLY TREATED OTHER HUMAN
BEINGS THIS WAY.
>> I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT
THE STATE OF FLORIDA MANY YEARS
LATER ACKNOWLEDGE WHILE THESE
YOUNGSTERS WERE IN THE CARE OF
THE STATE, THE STATE DID NOT
CARE FOR THEM.
>> FORMER STUDENTS GOT A
PERSONAL APOLOGY ON BEHALF OF
THE STATE FROM HOUSE SPEAKER
RICHARD CORCORAN.
>> IT'S TAKEN THIS LONG WITH THE
LEGISLATURE WITH ALL THE
EVIDENCE BEFORE US TO COME
FORWARD AND APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT
HAS TO BE ONE OF THE BLACKEST
MOMENTS IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.
SOME OF THE CHILDREN DIED AND
WERE BURIED AT THE SCHOOL IN
SOMEWHERE IN SUSPICIOUS
CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE MANY
SUCCUMBED TO DISEASE IN THE
EARLY 1900S PARTICULARLY YOUNG
AFRICAN-AMERICANS.
>> THOSE WHO DIED OF A FLU
EPIDEMIC DIED BECAUSE THEY WERE
ABANDONED AND FOUND DAYS LATER
WITHOUT FOOD OR MEDICINE WHEN
EMPLOYEES FLED FOR THEIR SAFETY
WENT FROM A TRAGIC EVENT TO A --
>> THURSDAY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE WILL HEAR A DIFFERENT
DOZIER BILL.
THAT WILL FOLLOW THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF A STATE TASK
FORCE ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE
UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS OF DOZENS
OF STUDENTS WHO WERE ONCE BURIED
IN THE SCHOOL CEMETERY.
THOSE WHO DIED IN A FIRE IN 1914
WOULD GO BACK TO THE CEMETERY
THERE WHILE THE REST WOULD BE
INTERRED IN TALLAHASSEE.
UNDER THE HOUSE COMMITTEE BILL A
MEMORIAL WOULD GO IN THE CAPITOL
AND IN MARIANNA AND A BUILDING
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH
FLORIDA WOULD BE RENAMED FOR
THOMAS A BOY WHO DIED AT DOZIER
IN 1934.
>> A DAY AFTER RICK SCOTT TOOK
21 FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CASES
AWAY FROM STATE ATTORNEY ARAMIS
AYALA SOME SAID THE GOVERNOR
SHOULD GO FURTHER AND SUSPEND
THE ORLANDO AREA PROSECUTOR.
AYALA SAID SHE WILL NOT SEEK THE
DEATH PENALTY IN ANY CASES.
>> SHE MUST RESIGN OR THE
GOVERNOR MUST SUSPEND HER AND
APPOINT SOMEONE IN HER PLACE.
>> HE TOOK CAPITAL CASES AWAY
FROM AYALA AND RE-ASSIGNED THEM
MONDAY WITH HER INITIAL REFUSAL
TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY IN A
HIGH-PROFILE MURDER CASE.
AYALA IS THE FIRST BLACK STATE
ATTORNEY AND HAS BEEN CONDEMNED
FOR OVERREACH BY THE LEGISLATIVE
BLACK CAUCUS.
>> FIRST I DISAGREE THAT THIS
HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH RACE.
THIS DISTRICT ATTORNEY COULD
HAVE BEEN BLACK, WHITE HISPANIC,
I'M HISPANIC MYSELF SO TARGETING
HER FOR HER RACE HAS NOTHING TO
DO WITH IT.
>> THE GOVERNOR STILL REVIEWING
HIS OPTIONS IN THE CASE.
MEANWHILE SENATOR BRACY CHAIR OF
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
IS CRITICIZING THE GOVERNOR FOR
SENDING A DANGEROUS MESSAGE TO
PROSECUTORS IN FLORIDA THAT
POLITICS WILL SUPERSEDE THEIR
DISCRETION.
RACIST COMMENTS APPEARED AN
OP-ED IN "THE NEWS YORK TIMES."
FLORIDA LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO
REQUIRE DRUG TESTING FOR
FLORIDIANS SEEKING TEMPORARY
CASH ASSISTANCE.
IN 2014 THE COURT STRUCK DOWN
THE STATE'S 2011 DRUG TESTING
LAW HOUSE BILL1117 SPONSOR
REPRESENTATIVE LATVALA.
>> THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN THE
BILL THAT WAS RULED
UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE THIS
ONLY TARGETS THE PEOPLE THAT
HAVE A PREVIOUS DRUG CONVICTION.
>> THE MEASURE HAS PASSED THE
HEALTH CARE BUDGET COMMITTEE
TUESDAY THAT SOME LAWMAKERS
QUESTIONED WHETHER THE MEASURE
WAS NEEDED WHEN ONLY APPLIED TO
1.5% OF RECIPIENTS SEEKING
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE.
THEY QUESTIONED THE COSTS.
>> I THINK WE WILL BE EXPANDING
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT WITH MORE
REGULATION MORE BUREAUCRACY AND
MORE STAFF FOR SOMETHING THAT WE
HAVE NO CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT
THE RETURN OF INVESTMENT.
>> AS I LOOK AT THIS AND
EXPERIENCE IN OTHER STATES THAT
HAVE BEEN STRUCK THAT THE COST
OF TESTING WINDS UP EXCEEDING
ANY COST SAVINGS FOR THOSE WHO
ARE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM AND
I FOR ONE WOULD RATHER SEE THAT
MONEY GO TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE
TREATMENT THEN BE PUT SIMPLY AND
TESTING.
>> THE STATE HAS PUT THE COST OF
THE PROGRAM AND THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT DOES ALLOW DRUG
TESTING IN MORE THAN A DOZEN
OTHER STATES.
THE MEASURE HEADS TO THE HEALTH
CARE POLICY COMMITTEE.
A SIMILAR MEASURE HAS TWO MORE
COMMITTEE STOPS IN THE SENATE.
THE BILL THAT WAS POSTPONED IN
THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
WOULD ASK VOTERS ADD A
REQUIREMENT THAT ALL COUNTY
SHERIFFS BE ELECTED BY THE
PEOPLE.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTIES FAMILY
COUNTY IN FLORIDA THAT DOESN'T
HAVE AN ELECTED SHERIFF AT THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR IS
APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION134
SPONSORED BY SENATOR FRANK
ARTILES WHO REPRESENTS
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SAID
CONSOLIDATION OF POWERS BREEDS
CORRUPTION.
>> MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IS
DIFFERENT.
FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ARE NOT
ELECTED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
>> HE WANTS VOTERS TO HAVE
DIRECT SAY IN CHOOSING A SHERIFF
AND FOR THE SHERIFF TO BE IN
CHARGE OF HIS OR HER OWN BUDGET.
THE BILL WOULD AFFECT OTHER
COUNTIES WHERE THE SHERIFF IS
ELECTED BUT HAS TO GO THROUGH
THE COUNTY MANAGER TO MAKE
DECISIONS.
SENATOR SPEAK IN OPPOSITION
QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS COULD BE
DONE LOCALLY OR IN OTHER WAYS.
>> WE KNOW THAT THE
CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION TO THE
COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION HAS BEEN
ESTABLISHED AND WILL BE GOING
AROUND THE STATE.
CERTAINLY HEARING FROM VARIOUS
CONSTITUENCIES SO WHY WOULD THIS
NOT BE PART OF THE ISSUES THAT
THEY DEAL WITH?
>> WHILE THAT MEASURE STALLED
ANOTHER PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT DID RECEIVE A
FAVORABLE VOTE.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION136
SPONSORED BY SENATOR ARTILES
WOULD ASK VOTERS TO MAKE
PROPERTY OF FRAZIER'S ACCOST
DUCHANE OFFICER.
THEY CAN ONLY BE SELECTED BY
ELECTIONS.
IT MOVES ON TO THE RULES
COMMITTEE.
AN ELECTION BILLS MOVE TO A
FINAL COMMITTEE STOPPED DESPITE
AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL SPONSOR
CALLED A DISAPPOINTING.
MEASURE BY SENATOR POWELL WOULD
REQUIRE SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS
TO ACCEPT VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS
AT EARLY VOTING SITES BUT THE
ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CHANGE THE
BILL TO ALLOW SUPERVISORS TO OPT
OUT THE SENATOR AARON BEAN SAID
THE URGING OF THE DUVAL COUNTY
SUPERVISOR WHICH LED MEMBERS TO
QUESTION THE MOTIVATION OF THAT
CHANGE.
>> MY COUNTY WHICH IS SIMILAR TO
THE SIZE OF DUVAL COUNTY WILL
PROBABLY DO IT WITH NO PROBLEM.
WEST PALM AND BROWARD WILL DO IT
BUT DUVAL IS NOT GOING TO DO IT.
THAT'S WHERE I HAVE A PROBLEM
AND I WONDER WHY.
IF I SEARCH AND FIGURE OUT I
KNOW WHY DUVAL WON'T DO IT AND
THAT IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH
GUTTING SENATOR POWELL'S BILL.
>> A SUPERVISOR FROM ANOTHER
COUNTY DID NOT TAKE A POSITION
ON THE BILL BUT TOLD SENATORS
SOME ARE CONCERNED THAT A
REQUIREMENT COULD LEAD TO COSTS
AND FURTHER DEMANDS ON STAFFING.
THE FULL HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO
TAKE UP AN UNAMENDED COMPANION
BILL TODAY.
A HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVED A
BILL DESIGNED TO REFORM
REGULATION IN FLORIDA BUT
QUESTIONS CARRIED OVER FROM AN
EARLIER HEARING ABOUT WHAT THE
BILL WOULD DO TO THE OFFICE OF
PUBLIC COUNSEL TO THE PUBLIC
COUNCIL OPERATES UNDER THE
LEGISLATURE REPRESENTS
CONSUMERS.
HOUSE BILL 70/70 ONE WOULD
REMOVE THAT FUNCTION TO THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN THE
AGE HE WOULD APPOINT THE
COUNCIL.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAID
AFTER THE BILL'S FIRST HEARING
THEY DON'T SUPPORT THE IDEA.
>> WHAT ISSUE NECESSITATES OR
WHAT PROBLEM NECESSITATES MOVING
THE PUBLIC COUNSEL FROM THE
LEGISLATURE TO THE AGS OFFICE?
>> IS PART OF THE A TURNED
GENERAL'S OFFICE OF PUBLIC
COUNSEL OPERATES WHOSE PRIMARY
PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT THE
INTEREST OF THE CONSUMER.
THE MISSIONS ARE SIMILAR.
IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS
INTERVIEWING IN CASES THAT THE
PAC AND WHEN THE PUBLIC COUNSEL.
>> THE BILL WOULD CREATE NEW
ETHICAL RULES IN THE PUBLIC
SERVICE COMMISSION AND CHANGE
SOME OF THE REGULATIONS THAT
GOVERN RATE CASES.
HAS ONE MORE COMMITTEE IN THE
HOUSE.
THERE'S NO COMPANION BILL IN THE
SENATE.
SPEAKING OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
COMMISSION TODAY THEY APPROVED A
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN A RATE
HIKE REQUEST BY GULF POWER.
EVERYONE AGREED PUBLIC COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS BUSINESS
INTERESTS AND UTILITIES.
>> IT IS ONE OF THE CLEANEST AND
MOST STRAIGHTFORWARD AGREEMENTS
I'VE SEEN DURING MY TIME AS
COMMISSIONER.
>> THE PARTY STARTED OFF SO FAR
APART WHEN THIS WAS FILED SO
IT'S FANTASTIC TO SEE THIS COULD
EVEN POSSIBLY COME TOGETHER.
>> GULF ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR
RATE HIKE OF $106 MILLION.
AGREEMENT CUTS BACK TO
62 MILLION WITH RATES GOING INTO
EFFECT JULY1.
HERE'S A LOOK AT MORE BILLS THAT
MOVE FORWARD TUESDAY.
♪
>> BLUE AND SILVER PINWHEELS ARE
POPPING UP OVER THE CAPITAL
CITY.
FIRST LADY ANN SCOTT HELPED
STUDENTS PLANT SOME OF THE
GOVERNOR'S MANSION TUESDAY IN
THE PINWHEELS FOR PREVENTION
CAMPAIGN AS PART OF
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
MONTH.
MRS.SCOTT WAS JOINED BY
ADVOCATES WHO BRING AWARENESS TO
CHILD SAFETY.
>> I WANT TO TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO URGE ALL
FLORIDIANS TO ENGAGE IN
ACTIVITIES WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO
STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES NOT ONLY THIS MONTH
BUT ALL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP ALL OF
FLORIDA'S CHILDREN LIVE HEALTHY
AND HAPPY LIVES.
>> THE FIRST LADY ENCOURAGED
LITERACY BY READING TO CHILDREN
ALL OVER THE STATE AND SHE READ
THE BOOK TO THE CHILDREN TUESDAY
AFTER THE PINWHEELS CEREMONY.
A SEA OF GARNET AND GOLD ARRIVED
AT THE STATE CAPITOL TUESDAY IN
RECOGNITION OF FLORIDA STATE
UNIVERSITY DAY FOR THE ANNUAL
EVENT CELEBRATING THE
UNIVERSITIES FROM THE STATE
CAPITOL BROUGHT LAWMAKERS BUT
ALL PLAYERS AND FANS TOGETHER IN
THE CAPITOL COURTYARD.
FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NOW FSU
PRESIDENT JOHN THRASHER BRAGGED
ABOUT FSU'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN
ATHLETICS AND ACADEMICS.
>> IT'S NO WONDER THAT
APPLICATIONS ARE UP AT FLORIDA
STATE.
FSU RECEIVED 42,000 APPLICANTS
FOR THIS COMING FRESHMAN CLASS,
AN AMAZING 70% OVER WHERE WE
WERE LAST YEAR.
>> THRASHER WAS ON THE HOUSE
FLOOR WHEN LAWMAKERS RECOGNIZED
FSU DAY.
OTHER UNIVERSITIES ALSO HAVE
THEIR OWN DAYS AT THE STATE
CAPITOL.
THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IS
TAKING OVER THE COURTYARD ON
WEDNESDAY.
THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "CAPITOL UPDATE."
FROM ALL OF US, THANKS FOR
WATCHING. 856 00:27:57,409 ♪