>> THIS TIME ON "CAPITOL UPDATE" --
>> I DON'T SEE A BIAS IN FAVOR OF AFFLUENCE, I SEE A BIAS IN FAVOR OF NEED.
>> BOTH THE SENATE AND HOUSE DEFENDED THEIR RESPECTIVE SPENDING PLANS THIS FIFTH WEEK
OF SESSION.
NOW THEY MUST PREPARE TO MAKE BUDGET COMPROMISES BEFORE SESSION ENDS.
>>> A SERIES OF BILLS HELPING VETERANS, PROTECTING FLORIDA'S CHILDREN
AND ROLLING BACK TAXES RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL FROM THE GOVERNOR.
>>> AND THE FLORIDA PAROLE COMMISSION WALKS FOR JUSTICE AHEAD
OF NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK.
>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL UPDATE."
IT'S YOUR REVIEW OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE WEEK ENDING FRIDAY, APRIL 4TH.
I'M THERESA MARSENBURG.
AS THE 2014 LEGISLATIVE SESSION REACHED THE HALFWAY POINT THIS WEEK,
THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED THEIR RESPECTIVE $75 BILLION BUDGET PLANS,
SETTING THE STAGE FOR NEGOTIATIONS IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.
THE BUDGET VOTES CAME A WEEK EARLIER THAN PREVIOUS YEARS AS LAWMAKERS LOOK TO TAKE A BREAK
TO OBSERVE PASSOVER AND THE EASTER HOLIDAY IN TWO WEEKS.
KRYSTA BROWN HAS MORE.
>> THE LEGISLATURE FINISHED THE FIFTH WEEK OF SESSION PASSING SPENDING PLANS
THAT ARE ABOUT $400 MILLION APART.
THE LARGER OF THE TWO, THE HOUSE'S $75.3 BILLION BUDGET, PUTS MORE MONEY INTO EDUCATION
AND MORE MONEY INTO UPKEEP AND CONSTRUCTION OF STATE BUILDINGS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
IT ALSO INCLUDES AN IDEA BY AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ADAM PUTNAM TO TAKE REVENUE
FROM ENERGY TAXES TO USE AS A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE
FOR THE PECO FUND WHICH PAYS FOR THOSE PROJECTS.
>> I BELIEVE THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ARE WARMING UP TO THE IDEA OF THE TRANSFER.
I'VE HAD SOME VERY POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS WITHIN RECENT HISTORY THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE
THAT THEY SEE THE UNDERLYING POLICY BENEFIT OF HAVING A, YOU KNOW,
DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE TO SHORING UP OUR PECO FUND.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING.
>> BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE PLANS INCREASE PERFORMANCE FUNDING FOR COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES, PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EVERGLADES AND SPRINGS RESTORATION AS WELL
AS REDUCE THE WAIT LIST FOR SERVICES IN THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
AND ADD MORE STATE TROOPERS ON FLORIDA'S HIGHWAYS.
THE SENATE'S $74.9 BILLION BUDGET INCLUDES A PROVISION BY RULES CHAIR JOHN THRASHER
TO DIVIDE THE FAMU AND FSU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING IN TALLAHASSEE.
SENATOR ARTHENIA JOYNER ISN'T IN FAVOR OF THE IDEA
AS SHE RECALLED HOW FAMU'S FIRST LAW SCHOOL WAS CLOSED IN 1966
WHEN SHE WAS AMONG THE LAST STUDENTS THERE TO GRADUATE.
>> I AGONIZED LAST NIGHT.
I CRIED, BECAUSE IT TOOK ME BACK 46 YEARS AGO TO WHAT HAPPENED AS A STUDENT.
SO NO MATTER HOW NOBLE THIS PROPOSAL IS,
THE EFFECT ON THIS WOMAN IS DIFFERENT FROM ANYBODY ELSE IN HERE.
>> IN THE END, JOYNER AND ALL BUT TWO DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS VOTED
FOR THE SENATE'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.
SIXTEEN DEMOCRATS STOOD IN OPPOSITION TO THE HOUSE'S BUDGET PLAN
BECAUSE OF THE STATE'S DECISION NOT TO ACCEPT FEDERAL MEDICAID DOLLARS TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE
TO THOSE WHO COULD LEAST AFFORD IT.
>> TODAY I STAND ON THIS FLOOR, AND I DON'T HAVE MIXED EMOTIONS, I HAVE A GRAVE CONCERN.
I HAVE A HEAVY HEART.
BECAUSE I RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE, AND FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW,
WE AS A CHAMBER ARE GOING TO VOTE ON A BUDGET
THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR ALL FLORIDIANS.
>> BUT HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS SAY THE TWO BUDGETS DESERVE SUPPORT AND THAT WORKING
OUT A COMPROMISE WON'T BE TOO DIFFICULT.
>> IN OVERALL TERMS, WE'RE PRETTY CLOSE.
BUT, OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES INSIDE THE HOUSE BUDGET AND INSIDE THE SENATE BUDGET
THAT ARE GOING TO REQUIRE WORK, SO I THINK WE WILL HAVE A VERY MEATY SET
OF CONFERENCES, YOU KNOW?
THERE ARE SOME POLICY DIFFERENCES, BUT THEY'RE NOT DIFFERENCES REALLY IN OBJECTIVE,
THEY'RE DIFFERENCES IN METHODOLOGY.
>> FOR "CAPITOL UPDATE," I'M KRYSTA BROWN.
>> HOW MUCH AND WHAT KIND OF TAX RELIEF WILL BE A PART
OF THE FINAL STATE BUDGET WILL BE DETERMINED IN CONFERENCE
WHEN LAWMAKERS WORK OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES.
THAT PROCESS COULD START AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.
IN THE HOUSE TAX RELIEF WOULD COME PRIMARILY IN THE FORM OF FOUR SALES TAX HOLIDAYS FOR THINGS
LIKE SCHOOL SUPPLIES, HURRICANE SUPPLIES AND ENERGYSTAR APPLIANCES.
BICYCLE HELMETS AND CHILD CAR SEATS WOULD BE PERMANENTLY EXEMPT.
WHILE THE SENATE HAS A FEW OF THOSE SALES TAX HOLIDAYS,
BOTH PLANS INCLUDE ANOTHER CORPORATE INCOME TAX EXEMPTION THAT WOULD ALSO RAISE
TO $75,000 THE AMOUNT OF PROFIT A BUSINESS COULD MAKE BEFORE THEY HAVE
TO PAY A CORPORATE INCOME TAX.
>>> THE $400 MILLION FEE REDUCTION IS AMONG THE SIX NEW LAWS ADDED TO THE BOOKS THIS WEEK.
REBECCA BAER HAS A SUMMARY OF THE FIRST BATCH
OF BILLS GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT SIGNED INTO LAW FOR 2014.
>> THREE PRIORITIES OF HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP GOT THE APPROVAL
OF THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK; TWO MEASURES THAT WILL REDUCE COSTS FOR FLORIDIANS
AND ANOTHER SERIES OF BILLS THAT SUPPORTERS SAY WILL PROTECT CHILDREN.
[APPLAUSE] SURROUNDED BY VETERANS AND STATE MILITARY OFFICIALS,
GOVERNOR SCOTT KICKED OFF THE SERIES OF BILL SIGNINGS BY MAKING THE FLORIDA G.I.
BILL THE LAW OF THE LAND.
THE MEASURE GRANTS IN-STATE TUITION TO VETERANS EVEN
IF THEY HAVEN'T LIVED HERE THE ONE YEAR REQUIRED FOR RESIDENCY.
IT ALSO PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO FLORIDA'S NATIONAL GUARDSMEN.
REPRESENTATIVE JIMMIE SMITH WAS THE HOUSE SPONSOR.
>> HERE IN FLORIDA WE SUPPORT YOU.
WE WANT YOU TO GO TO COLLEGE.
WE WANT YOU TO BE THE COMMUNITY LEADERS.
WE WANT YOU TO GUIDE THE FUTURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE FLORIDA G.I.
BILL DOES.
>> THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES $12.5 MILLION FOR UPGRADES TO ARMORIES AND FUNDING
TO PREVENT ENCROACHMENT OF MILITARY BASES.
SCOTT RETURNED TO THE CAPITOL TO SIGN A PACKAGE OF BILLS TUESDAY.
THEY DO A NUMBER OF THINGS TO INSURE THAT VIOLENT SEXUAL PREDATORS STAY OFF THE STREETS.
AMONG THE PROVISIONS, INCREASED PRISON SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN PREDATORS.
ONE NEW LAW WILL ALSO EXPAND THE POOL OF PREDATORS RELEASED FROM JAIL OR PRISON
THAT ARE REVIEWED FOR COMMITMENT TO A SPECIAL LOCKDOWN FACILITY FOR TREATMENT.
THE MEASURES WERE A TOP PRIORITY FOR HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP.
>> AND I'M VERY PLEASED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST BILL PASSED IN THE FIRST HOUR OF THE FIRST DAY
OF THIS SESSION OF THE FLORIDA SENATE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I THINK ABOUT HOW THE LEGISLATION I'M SIGNING TODAY WILL AFFECT FLORIDA'S FAMILIES.
IT WILL MAKE FLORIDA'S CHILDREN SAFER, AND THE FOUR-BILL PACKAGE OFFERS PROTECTIONS
FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CHILDREN.
TODAY I'M PROUD TO SIGN THIS LEGISLATION FOR ALL THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY AFFECTED.
I HOPE THESE MEASURES AND THE AWARENESS WE ARE CREATING TODAY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
>> THE NEXT DAY THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE MEASURE THAT HE PERSONALLY CHAMPIONED,
ONE THAT ROLLS BACK VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES.
THE FEES WERE INCREASED BY THE LEGISLATURE BACK IN 2010.
IT'S ESTIMATED TO SAVE DRIVERS BETWEEN $12-$25, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THEIR VEHICLE,
WHEN IT GOES INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER.
>> TODAY'S BILL SIGNING WILL LET FLORIDIANS KEEP NEARLY $400 MILLION
OF THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS.
THIS IS A MAJOR VICTORY FOR FLORIDA FAMILIES.
>> THERE WERE A NUMBER OF MEASURES PASSED BY BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE THIS WEEK
THAT WILL BE HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR INCLUDING A MEASURE KNOWN AS THE WARNING SHOT BILL AS WELL
AS A SERIES OF BILLS THAT CLEAN UP OUTDATED STATUTES.
>> THANKS, REBECCA.
A PROPOSAL TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE STATE'S RETIREMENT PROGRAM DREW EDUCATORS,
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER STATE WORKERS TO A MEETING
OF THE HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FRIDAY.
ALTHOUGH SOME SAY THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE MODEST COMPARED TO REFORMS OFFERED LAST YEAR,
MOST ARGUED AGAINST MAKING ANY CHANGES
TO A PENSION FUND THEY SAY IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.
"CAPITOL UPDATE"'S GARY WILLIAMS JOINS US NOW WITH THE RESULTS OF THAT DEBATE.
>> THERESA, LAST YEAR PENSION REFORM WAS THE ONLY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY OF THE HOUSE SPEAKER
AND SENATE PRESIDENT NOT TO MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.
THAT ISSUE BECAME A PRIORITY AGAIN THIS YEAR,
BUT UNTIL THIS WEEK NO LEGISLATION HAD APPEARED IN THE HOUSE.
>> THE HOUSE PROPOSAL IS A FAIR, MORE REALISTIC COMMITMENT FOR OUR STATE.
THIS PROPOSAL WILL PROTECT EMPLOYEES CURRENTLY IN THE PENSION SYSTEM,
REDUCE THE RISK TO TAXPAYERS, PROVIDE MORE FINANCIAL CERTAINTY FOR OUR STATE
AND OFFER A FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT OPTION FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.
>> THIS YEAR'S HOUSE PROPOSAL IS BASED ON A BILL OFFERED
IN THE SENATE LAST YEAR BUT NEVER HEARD IN THE HOUSE.
IT WOULD MAKE THREE CHANGES.
IT WOULD CLOSE THE PENSION FUND TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
WHO MUST NOW ENROLL IN A 401(K)-TYPE INVESTMENT PLAN INSTEAD.
ALL NEW HIRES WOULD BE PLACED IN THE INVESTMENT PLAN IF THEY DON'T ENROLL IN THE PENSION PLAN
WITHIN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT.
AND NEW EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TEN YEARS INSTEAD
OF THE CURRENT EIGHT YEARS TO BE VESTED IN THE FUND.
DURING PUBLIC COMMENT UNIONS REPRESENTING STATE EMPLOYEES VOICED CONCERN.
>> WE HEARD FOR A WHILE THAT FLORIDA'S PENSION SYSTEM,
THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM WAS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR TAXPAYERS.
WELL, WE NOW KNOW THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE MONEY GOING INTO THAT SYSTEM IS FROM INVESTMENTS.
NOT FROM TAXPAYERS.
AND, IN FACT, IF YOU AVERAGE IN LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT PENSION COSTS,
IT'S LESS THAN 2.5% OF OPERATING BUDGETS.
WE'RE ONE OF THE LOWEST STATES IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO PENSION COSTS TO TAXPAYERS.
>> I WORKED FOR THE STATE FOR 31 YEARS, AND I DID THAT KNOWING
THAT WHEN I CAME OUT, I'D HAVE A GOOD RETIREMENT.
I COULD HAVE GONE INTO PRIVATE INDUSTRY, BUT I STAYED WITH THE STATE BECAUSE I WANTED
TO BE A GOOD STATE EMPLOYEE AND PROTECT THE STATE OF FLORIDA, PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE.
>> WE MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THIS PLAN IN 2011, TOOK A LOT OF TIME,
PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THOSE VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
THAT IN THE END COST EMPLOYEES PROBABLY ABOUT $1.5 BILLION.
>> DURING DEBATE, OPPONENTS ON THE COMMITTEE NOTED
THAT PUBLIC COMMENT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.
>> WE HAD OUR FIREFIGHTERS, WE HAD OUR TEACHERS, WE HAD OUR POLICE, WE HAD OUR STATE WORKERS.
EVERY ASPECT OF FLORIDA, THE BASE OF FLORIDA CAME UP TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS BILL.
>> THE SUPPORTERS INSISTED THE CHANGES WOULD NOT AFFECT CURRENT EMPLOYEES
AND THAT FUTURE EMPLOYEES EXCEPT FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT COULD STILL CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PENSION PLAN.
REPRESENTATIVE JASON BRODER QUESTIONED WHETHER OPPONENTS HAD EVEN READ THE BILL.
>> WHAT YOU ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT WAS LAST YEAR'S BILL.
WHAT IS IN THIS BILL, I DIDN'T WANT TO SUPPORT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T DO ENOUGH.
IT DOESN'T COME CLOSE TO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HAVE A BALANCED, A FULLY FUNDED PENSION.
>> THE MEASURE PASSED 11-6 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE FOR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.
THE SENATE INTRODUCED A PROPOSAL BACK IN FEBRUARY, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN HEARD
SINCE BECAUSE A REQUIRED STUDY OF THE PROPOSAL HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, GARY.
A SENATE BILL THAT MAKES SWEEPING REFORMS
TO THE STATE'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM HAS CLEARED ANOTHER HURDLE, BUT THERE'S STILL NO WORD
ON HOW MUCH THE CHANGES WILL COST.
THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL.
IT WOULD REQUIRE 80% OF NEWLY-HIRED CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATORS
TO HAVE SOCIAL WORK DEGREES.
IT ESTABLISHES STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS FOR THESE WORKERS
AND CREATES A FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF CHILD WELFARE AMONG SEVERAL OTHER PROVISIONS.
SPONSOR ELEANOR SOBEL SAID SHE'D GIVE LAWMAKERS A GRADE OF D BASED ON THEIR PAST PERFORMANCE,
BUT THIS BILL, SHE SAYS, MOVES THE STATE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> WE'RE CLOSE TO GETTING TO AN A, SO I'D SAY WE GET AN A-
BECAUSE WE REALLY HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT FUNDING.
SO WE HAVE A GREAT WORK PRODUCT HERE, AND I'M PROUD OF EVERYBODY
WHO HAS HELPED US TO GET TO THIS POINT.
BUT THIS GREAT WORK PRODUCT DEPENDS ON IMPLEMENTATION WITH THE NECESSARY RESOURCES.
WE CANNOT IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN WITHOUT THE NECESSARY RESOURCES.
>> THE HOUSE HAS INCLUDED $44 MILLION IN ITS BUDGET FOR IMPROVEMENTS
TO THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, BUT THE SENATE'S BUDGET CHAIR SAID NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING
IN HIS CHAMBER.
>> I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC NUMBER IN MIND.
I KNOW THE PRESIDENT'S MADE IT A PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AUTHORITIES
THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD PROTECTION HAVE THE FUNDING
THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY.
I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC NUMBER TO GIVE YOU.
>> THE BILL NOW MOVES ON TO ITS FINAL COMMITTEE, APPROPRIATIONS.
A SIMILAR HOUSE BILL ALSO HAS ONE MORE COMMITTEE STOP.
>>> A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WAY THE STATE REGULATES ABORTION IS READY
TO BE PRESENTED TO THE FULL HOUSE.
HOUSE BILL 1047 WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR AN ABORTION
TO TAKE PLACE ONCE THE FETUS IS DETERMINED VIABLE BY A PHYSICIAN.
SUPPORTERS SAY THE BILL ALIGNS STATE LAW WITH WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS ALREADY ALLOWED.
OPPONENTS SAY IT'S A DECISION THAT SHOULD NOT BE DICTATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
>> THERE REALLY SHOULD BE NO IMPOSITION BY THE GOVERNMENT IN MY RIGHT AND MY RELIGIOUS RIGHTS
AS WELL AS MY PSYCHOLOGICAL RIGHTS AT SUCH A VERY SENSITIVE TIME.
>> FOR MANY, THIS IS AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE.
FOR OTHERS, IT'S A MORAL ISSUE.
BUT WE ARE HERE TODAY AS LEGISLATORS, AND SO I WOULD ASK YOU
TO APPROACH THIS ISSUE FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE.
THIS BILL CODIFIES STATE LAW TO ALIGN
WITH THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT.
>> A SIMILAR MEASURE IN THE HOUSE SPONSORED
BY SENATOR FLORES PASSED ITS FIRST COMMITTEE EARLIER IN THE WEEK.
THAT BILL HAS TWO MORE COMMITTEE STOPS BEFORE IT CAN BE HEARD BY THE ENTIRE SENATE.
>>> A NEW WAY TO GET A RIDE HAS ARRIVED IN SOME CITIES IN THE U.S.
WITH A SMARTPHONE AND THE UBER APP.
YOU CAN PAY FOR TAXI AND LIMOUSINE SERVICE VIA THE APP.
RIGHT NOW JACKSONVILLE IS THE ONLY FLORIDA CITY THAT HAS CHANGED ITS LOCAL CAB
AND LIMOUSINE RULES TO ALLOW UBER TO OPERATE.
ON FRIDAY A BILL THAT AIMS TO OPEN UP MORE CITIES SURVIVED A SPLIT VOTE
IN THE HOUSE ECONOMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
"CAPITOL UPDATE"'S MELISSA KLINZING REPORTS.
>> THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF HOUSE BILL 1389 WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE STATE, NOT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,
THE POWER TO REGULATE LIMOUSINE SERVICES.
ON FRIDAY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES GRANT AMENDED THE BILL
TO SAY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN'T RESTRICT OPERATIONS LIKE UBER
BY REQUIRING A MINIMUM WAIT TIME, REQUIRING A MINIMUM FARE AND RESTRICTING THE NUMBER
OF PERMITS ISSUED TO OPERATE LIMOUSINES.
>> THE EFFECT OF THIS BILL TODAY IS THAT IT WOULD ONLY TAKE REGULATORY AUTHORITY AWAY
IN THE THREE SMALL AREAS FROM ONE SPECIAL DISTRICT THAT IS CURRENTLY EXERCISING IT,
AND IT WOULD PREVENT NINE OTHERS FROM DOING IT IN THE FUTURE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE GRANT SAID THE ONE SPECIAL DISTRICT THAT USES ALL THOSE RULES IN A WAY
THAT KEEPS UBER OUT IS HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
GRANT SAID LOCALS WOULD STILL REGULATE THINGS LIKE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS, SAFETY RULES,
INSURANCE AND DRIVER BACKGROUND CHECKS, BUT THE COMMITTEE ROOM WAS PACKED WITH PEOPLE FROM CAB
AND LIMO COMPANIES SPEAKING AGAINST THE BILL.
>> HOW CAN WE LET A COMPANY COME INTO THE MARKET THAT'S NOT DOING THE SAME THINGS
THAT YOU GUYS ARE ASKING OF US TO DO?
THIS WOULD KILL OUR BUSINESS.
>> ARGUING FOR THE BILL WERE CAB AND LIMO DRIVERS FROM MIAMI AND TAMPA
WHO SAID THEY WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE FOR A NEW TYPE OF COMPANY LIKE UBER.
>> COMPETITION IS GOOD.
IF SOMEBODY GETS COMPETITION, IN MY OPINION, IT'S IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
I KNOW YOU GUYS ABOUT COMPETITION.
YOU HAVE A GOOD PRODUCT, HOW COME YOU ARE AGAINST COMPETITION?
>> SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS SAID THEY, TOO, BELIEVE IN MARKET COMPETITION BUT WORRY
ABOUT IMPOSING CHANGES ON EXISTING RULES SET UP BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
>> THE PROBLEM THAT I SEE WITH WHAT WE'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS WE ARE GOING TO BE TRYING
TO INSERT A FREE MARKET COMPONENT IN SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY GOT A CONTRACT SET UP.
>> OTHERS SAID THOSE RULES AND ARRANGEMENTS ARE OUTDATED.
>> EVERY TIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT GETS IN THE WAY AND INHIBITS NEW IDEAS, NEW TECHNOLOGIES,
NEW INDIVIDUALS FROM DOING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, EVERY TIME THEY DO THAT, THERE'S STAGNATION,
AND THERE'S LESS CREATIVITY AND LESS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
>> AND IF MY TERM IN THIS LEGISLATURE IS DEFINED BY ANYTHING, IT'S THAT AN IMMIGRANT WHO COMES
OVER HERE, EXPERIENCES A 21ST CENTURY AMERICA AND NOT THE AMERICA HE READ ABOUT IN 1900.
I AM ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL WITH A MARGIN OF ONLY ONE VOTE.
IT'S NOT READY FOR THE FULL HOUSE.
THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TOOK UP ITS VERSION OF THE BILL THURSDAY WITH AN AMENDMENT
THAT WOULD HAVE MADE IT SIMILAR TO A VERSION PASSED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.
BUT THE SENATE PANEL RAN OUT OF TIME FOR EVERYONE TO SPEAK AND THEN RAN OUT OF TIME
TO VOTE, SO THE BILL WAS TEMPORARILY POSTPONED.
FOR "CAPITOL UPDATE," I'M MELISSA KLINZING.
>> LAWMAKERS ARE BACKING DOWN FROM A PLAN
TO MAKE COMPREHENSIVE REFORMS TO THE STATE'S GAMBLING LAWS.
SENATOR GARRETT RICHTER TOLD HIS COLLEAGUES THAT ADVANCING
SUCH A BILL BEFORE THE GOVERNOR COMPLETES NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SEMINOLE TRIBE WOULD BE,
QUOTE, PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
THE GOVERNOR IS IN THE MIDST OF NEGOTIATING A PORTION OF THE STATE'S COMPACT THAT ALLOWS IT
TO HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS TO CERTAIN CARD GAMES AT ITS CASINOS IN EXCHANGE FOR REVENUE SHARING.
HOUSE SPEAKER WILL WEATHERFORD HAS SAID FOR MONTHS THAT HE WANTED
TO SEE NEGOTIATIONS WRAPPED UP BEFORE MAKING SWEEPING CHANGES TO STATE GAMING LAWS.
HE ALSO PUSHED FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW VOTERS
TO DECIDE ON FUTURE GAMING EXPANSION.
>>> AND NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT OTHER MEASURES HEARD THIS WEEK.
[music]
>> WHILE THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT ARE UNITED IN MOST AREAS,
THE ISSUE OF HOW MUCH UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS SHOULD PAY IN TUITION DIVIDES THEM.
WHILE PRESIDENT DON GAETZ OPPOSES THE POLICY,
A BILL MAKING THAT CHANGE HAS NOW PASSED THE SECOND OF FOUR COMMITTEE STOPS.
"CAPITOL UPDATE"'S MIKE LICQUIA HAS MORE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> STUDENTS CHEERED OUTSIDE THE OLD CAPITOL WITH THE ADVANCEMENT
OF A BILL ALLOWING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS TO PAY IN-STATE TUITION IN FLORIDA.
BILL SPONSOR, SENATE JACK LATVALA.
>> BUT I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF FAIRNESS, AND WE NEED TO TREAT ALL THE CHILDREN
OF FLORIDA TAXPAYERS THE SAME WAY.
>> IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, SENATOR LATVALA COMPARED THE SITUATION
OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS TO THAT OF OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS MOVING HERE FOR COLLEGE.
>> THEY CAN LIVE HERE FOR A SINGLE YEAR, THEY CAN ESTABLISH RESIDENCY,
AND THEN THEY HAVE THE IN-STATE TUITION FOR THE REST OF THEIR CAREER.
>> SENATE BILL 1400 GRANTS IN-STATE TUITION TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN
IN FLORIDA FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
WHILE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HEARD TESTIMONY FOR AND AGAINST THE BILL,
ONE PHARMACY STUDENT TOLD THE COMMITTEE HE EXPECTS TO HAVE $250,000
IN LOANS DUE TO PAYING OUT-OF-STATE TUITION.
SENATE PRESIDENT DON GAETZ COMPARES IT TO VETERANS.
>> ONE OF OUR VETERANS SAID TO ME AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY, SO, DON,
ARE YOU EQUATING ME WITH AN ILLEGAL ALIEN?
YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE ILLEGAL ALIENS THE SAME SUBSIDIZED,
IN-STATE TUITION THAT YOU'RE OFFERING TO PROVIDE TO PEOPLE
WHO HAVE SHED THEIR BLOOD FOR THIS COUNTRY?
THAT'S THE EQUATION?
IT'S A HARD QUESTION TO ANSWER.
>> THE COMMITTEE PASSED THE BILL ON A 7-2 VOTE WITH SOME SENATORS POINTING TO THE MERITS
OF OTHER PARTS OF THE BILL THAT WOULD NO LONGER ALLOW UNIVERSITY BOARDS OF TRUSTEES
TO RAISE TUITION OR GIVE UNIVERSITIES AUTOMATIC TUITION HIKES FOR INFLATION.
>> TUITIONS HAVE GOTTEN TOO HIGH, AND WE NEED TO RATCHET IT BACK
AND LET THIS LEGISLATURE BECOME THE PLACE WHERE TUITIONS ARE INCREASED OR NOT INCREASED.
>> THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY PASSED ITS VERSION OF THE IMMIGRANT TUITION BILL.
UNLIKE THE SENATE VERSION, IT WOULD STILL ALLOW UNIVERSITIES TO RAISE TUITION,
BUT NOT BY AS MUCH AS IN CURRENT LAW.
>> I DO THINK HAVING A TUITION DIFFERENTIAL IS HEALTHY TO BE THERE IN CASE.
WE WILL NOT ALWAYS HAVE BUDGET SURPLUSES, WE WILL NOT BE IN THE POSITION WE'RE
IN THIS YEAR EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND HAVING SOME DIFFERENTIAL,
IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN I THINK, IS IMPORTANT.
BUT WE ALSO WANT TO REDUCE TUITION.
I THINK TUITION HAS GONE UP DRAMATICALLY,
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME COST CONTAINMENT THERE.
SO IT'S A BALANCE.
>> THE GOVERNOR PREFERS THE SENATE BILL.
>> I'M GOING TO WORK WITH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A BILL
THAT LOWERS TUITION FOR ALL FLORIDIANS.
>> THE BILL WILL BE HEARD IN THE EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE IN THE COMING WEEK.
FOR THE FLORIDA CHANNEL, I'M MIKE LICQUIA.
>> THE SENATE HAS PROPOSED A WAY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF KIDS
WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES WHETHER THEY'RE A PUBLIC SCHOOL,
PRIVATE SCHOOL OR HOME SCHOOLED STUDENT.
SENATOR KELLI STARGEL RECEIVED APPROVAL FOR A NEW PILOT PROGRAM THAT TASKED THE AGENCY
FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WITH PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AN ESTIMATED 5-6,000 KIDS.
THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD WOULD RANGE FROM $5,000 TO $19,000 AND COULD BE USED
FOR SPEECH THERAPY OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.
>> A SHIFT OF WHAT IN THE PAST I THINK HAVE BEEN SOME GREAT AGENCIES WHO HAVE LOOKED
TO THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF THESE STUDENTS.
NOW WE'RE ALSO CHALLENGING AP.
SO WE'RE KIND OF ENCOMPASSING THE WHOLE NEEDS FOR THE CHILD'S ABSOLUTE SUCCESS.
>> DESPITE THE $18.4 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES AND ANOTHER $1.5 MILLION
FOR APD TO USE FOR START-UP COSTS,
SEVERAL LAWMAKERS QUESTIONED THE AGENCY'S ABILITY TO ADMINISTER THE PROJECT.
SENATE BILL 1512 HAS A FINAL COMMITTEE STOP BEFORE THE APPROPRIATIONS PANEL.
BEFORE THIS WEEK THE SENATE BILL MIRRORED THE HOUSE PLAN WHICH CREATES A PROGRAM
THAT ALLOWS PARENTS OF STUDENTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES TO APPLY
TO RECEIVE STATE EDUCATION DOLLARS FROM A FUND KNOWN AS THE FEFP.
THE MONEY WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO AN OUTSIDE ENTITY CALLED A SCHOLARSHIP
FUNDING ORGANIZATION.
THE SFO WOULD ADMINISTER THE DOLLARS SIMILARLY TO HOW IT'S DONE
WITH OTHER PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAMS IN THE STATE.
THE HOUSE BILL, 7167, WAS ALSO RECENTLY CHANGED TO INCLUDE A PLAN TO EXPAND TAX SCHOLARSHIPS
WHICH ALLOWS KIDS FROM POOR FAMILIES TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
>>> THE ENTIRE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COULD SOON HEAR A BILL AIMED
AT ENDING CONTRACT DISPUTES BETWEEN CHARTER SCHOOLS AND LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
ONE NEW CHARTER SCHOOL -- ONCE A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL IS APPROVED TO OPEN,
IT MUST SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS DRAG ON, THAT CAN DELAY THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL.
SUPPORTERS OF HOUSE BILL 7083 SAY IT WILL CREATE A STANDARD CONTRACT AND SPEED UP THE PROCESS.
WHILE SOME MEMBERS FELT THE CHANGE WAS NOT NECESSARY,
THE BILL PASSED AND WAS SENT TO THE FULL HOUSE.
>> WHAT I SEE THIS BILL DOING IS CREATING A SENSE
OF PREDICTABILITY, UNDERSTANDING THE RULES.
BECAUSE WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT THE RULES OF THE GAME ARE, THEN YOU CAN ENGAGE.
>> A BILL IN THE SENATE HANDLED THESE CHARTER SCHOOL CONTRACTS DISPUTES DIFFERENTLY.
BOTH SIDES WOULD GO BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
WHO WOULD THEN HAVE 30 DAYS TO DECIDE THE CASE.
THAT BILL HAS TWO MORE COMMITTEE STOPS BEFORE IT COULD GO TO THE FULL SENATE.
>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER ACTION IN STATE GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK.
[music]
>> AND APRIL 6-12TH MARKS NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK.
MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE FLORIDA PAROLE COMMISSION KICKED --
GOT AN EARLY START BY WALKING THROUGH A TALLAHASSEE NEIGHBORHOOD THIS MORNING.
WALKERS WORE SIGNS INDICATING THE REASONS THEY CHOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT.
POSTERS ALONG THE PATH GAVE DETAILS ABOUT THE COMMISSION'S ROLE IN ASSISTING VICTIMS OF CRIME.
THIS YEAR'S THEME IS "30 YEARS: RESTORING THE BALANCE OF JUSTICE."
>>> AND AS WE WRAP UP WEEK FIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE WANT TO LEAVE YOU
WITH A SNAPSHOT OF SOME OF THE MULTIPLE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE AROUND THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.