MORE STORIES

• Schools sniffing around for new tax revenue

  Money for buildings is a major issue for South Florida’s public school districts. In Miami-Dade, the School Board is looking for new revenue sources, such as a sales surtax.

• Legislators propose shifting oversight of utility watchdog

  A proposal to move the office that represents consumers before state regulators gets mixed reviews, as some say it will make the job more political and others suggest it will insulate it from politics.

• 2012 Florida Legislature

  Charter schools seek construction money

  Florida school districts are fighting a bill that would require them to share construction dollars with charter schools.

• Florida Legislature

  As bill dies, future of mega-casinos remains uncertain

  The debate over Las Vegas-style casinos has ended in defeat for supporters, who now have to wait until next year to try again to revive the gambling legislation.

• In My Opinion

  Mega-casino gambling is dead – or is it?

  Time to exhale, at least a little, and take down names.

• REDISTRICTING

  House okays new redistricting map

  The House approved new redistricting maps amid opposition from Democrats who said the political boundaries favor Republicans.

• 2012 florida legislature

  Ethics bill left on cutting room floor of state capitol

  Senate President Mike Haridopolos and his staff effectively killed an ethics bill for 2012 by assigning it to five different committees before the beginning of the legislative session.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  House approves ‘downsizing” Citizens Property

  The House passed a bill to allow surplus lines carriers to take over some insurance policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

• LEGISLATURE

  Casino bill appears headed for House defeat

  The bill to bring three resort casinos to Florida may have to wait until next year to pass because sponsors don’t appear to have mustered enough votes to get it out of a crucial House committee.

• Capitol Buzz: Redistricting, Redistricting, Redistricting

  Here’s what we’re watching on Day 24 of the 2012 Legislature:

• Redistricting

  Redistricting maps are shuffling Florida’s political landscape

  By pitting dozens of incumbents against each other, the new map of the Florida House has set off political dominoes.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Lawmakers weigh bills to create online sales tax

  Florida lawmakers took the first step toward requiring online retailers to collect sales tax on items bought over the Internet.

• Legislature 2012 | Auto Insurance

  PIP insurance reform advances from state Senate committee

  The bipartisan measure, which must still pass the full Senate and House, would tweak allowable treatments for those injured in car crashes and strengthen efforts to fight insurance fraud.

• Capitol Buzz: Prison privatization will be talk of Tallahassee

  Here’s what we’re watching on Day 23 of the 2012 Legislature:

• Scott wants to renew effort to reform ALFs

  Florida’s governor says he will extend the life of the group looking into ways to eliminate deadly abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities.

• Legislature 2012 | School Prayer

  Senate approves school prayer bill

  The Senate OK’d a bill that would allow students to deliver “inspirational messages” at public school assemblies.
• 

  Gambling

  Voters approve slot machines in two rural counties, but legal battle looms

  As two North Florida counties open the door for slot machines, bills moving in the Senate would clear the way for the games in Palm Beach, Brevard and Lee counties too

• Legislature 2012 | College Tuition

  Senate panel rejects in-state tuition for children of non-citizens

  A Senate panel voted down a bill to extend in-state college tuition to state residents who are U.S. citizens with undocumented parents.

• REDISTRICTING

  Appeals court upholds Fla. redistricting amendment

  A federal appeals court has upheld a Florida constitutional amendment imposing new rules on how congressional districts are redrawn.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Notices bill stalls in committee

  A proposal to kill the requirement that lenders publish foreclosure notices in newspapers dies in a House committee.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Capitol Buzz: Voters go to polls for the Florida primary

  Here’s what we’re watching on Day 22 of the 2012 Legislature:

• 2012 Florida Legislature

  Lawmaker pitches school tax swap

  School districts are on board with a measure that would enable them to levy a sales tax in exchange for a reduction in property taxes – if the voters allowed.

• HIGHER EDUCATION

  Gov. Rick Scott will reject tuition increase

  Gov. Rick Scott and his fellow Republican lawmakers are poised for a budget battle over raising college tuition by 8 percent. Scott opposes the move.

• ENERGY

  Homeowners and businesses who invest in renewable energy could get a tax break under plan

  Legislators revive the debate over renewable energy in Florida with a Senate bill that promises tax credits for companies and homeowners.

• Education

  Archimedean named state’s top middle school

  South Florida made a strong showing on the state’s first ranking of traditional public and charter schools.

• GOV. RICK SCOTT

  Poll: Scott gaining more popularity with voters

  Gov. Rick Scott’s approval rating is inching higher, according to the latest poll.

• Higher education

  Lawmakers face big hurdles in trying to revamp state university system

  As lawmakers seek to overhaul the state’s university system, deeply vested interests — at the colleges and in the Legislature — pose big hurdles to big changes.

• MIAMI HERALD POLL

  Poll: Let voters — not lawmakers —decide future of casinos in Florida

  Florida voters — not state lawmakers — should decide whether Las Vegas-style casinos should be allowed to operate in the state, a new poll shows.

• REDISTRICTING

  House counters critics, passes redistricting maps

  A last-minute critique of the Legislature’s redistricting maps from the Fair District proponents prompts a fiery response from lawmakers but doesn’t change their direction

• 2012 Florida Legislature

  Lawmakers want charter schools to grow

  State lawmakers will consider giving construction dollars to charter schools.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Florida lawmakers push again to restrict abortions

  Last year, Florida lawmakers imposed an ultrasound requirement. This year new restrictions appear to be on track.

• COLLEGES

  University students protest higher tuition

  Some students protested tuition increases. Some lamented cuts to the Bright Futures scholarship program. And some said they were only after the extra credit.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Lawmakers to rework wage theft prevention program

  After a contentious first hearing, a proposal to ax Miami-Dade County’s wage theft prevention program is set to be remade.

• Tallahassee

  Florida jobs chief quits own job

  After six months on the job, the first director of the state’s lead agency for job creation resigned abruptly.

• Capitol Buzz: With Florida primary revving up, lawmakers keep short agenda in Tallahassee

  Fresh off the Thursday night presidential debate, lawmakers slow down on Day 18 of the session. Here’s what we will watch in the House and elsewhere with the Senate out.

• Herald/Times/Bay News 9 Poll

  Poll: Texting while driving must be banned

  A majority of Floridians support ban on texting while driving.

• Florida’s challenge in luring films and TV shows: Money

  Producers say the state needs to give more incentives to lure films and TV shows to be shot here.

• In My Opinion

  What Florida needs: Driverless cars

  Driverless cars are hardly a new concept on South Florida freeways, where the oblivious, drunk and distracted swerve in and out of lanes. If they’re not kamikaze, they’ve got to be comatose.

• Personal agendas are at stake with Senate redistricting maps

  With state House members hoping to move up to the state Senate and Senate Republicans hoping to retain a solid majority, there are many conflicting agendas emerging behind the Senate redistricting map

• E-COMMERCE

  Florida weighs whether to tax Amazon or cut a deal

  Amazon is in talks with lawmakers about a tax-exemption deal that would encourage it to build distribution centers in Florida, hiring thousands.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Capitol Buzz: Lawmakers search for $1 billion for education

  Here’s what we’re watching on Day 16 of the legislative session:

• Legislature 2012

  Private-prisons bill advances in Florida Senate

  Lawmakers in committee voted 13-5 to put the privatization of 30 lockups across the southern end of the state on the fast track despite concerns of unions and lobbyists.

• LEGISLATURE | AUTO INSURANCE

  Scott-backed bill to combat fraud advances in House

  With the support of Gov. Rick Scott, a plan requiring all victims injured in an auto accident be treated at emergency rooms continues to gain steam.

• Legislature 2012

  On food stamps? No junk food for you, Senate panel says

  The Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee voted 4-2 to restrict the food items eligible for subsidized purchase by poor people. The measure still faces a vote by the full Senate and House.
• 

  FLORIDA PRIMARY

  Poll: Gingrich, Romney in dead heat in Florida GOP primary

  The Florida primary appears to be a tie between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney, according to the Quinnipiac poll.

• 2012 Florida Legislature

  Critics say ‘parent trigger’ bill favors charters over public schools

  A proposal known as the parent trigger has some parents up in arms.

• 2012 Florida Legislature

  ‘Parent trigger’ bill pushes forward

  The “parent trigger” bill could prompt big changes at public schools.
• 

  STADIUM FUNDING

  Bill would enforce law turning stadiums into homeless shelters on off days

  A little known Florida law meant to turn taxpayer-funded sports arenas into homeless shelters on off-nights has been resurrected in the state Legislature, and several stadiums might be on the hook.

• CAMPAIGN 2012

  Miami becomes battleground for Gingrich, Romney

  The two leading candidates in the Republican primary arrive in Miami on Wednesday to seek the support of a bounty of Cuban Republican voters.

• Legislature 2012

  House proposes 8% tuition hike for Florida universities

  To offset planned reductions in state funding, college officials are expected to seek an additional 7 percent tuition increase for the next academic year.

• Capitol Buzz: Lawmakers to debate abortion

  The House and Senate are both at work on Day 15 of the Legislature in session. Here’s what we are following:

• ENVIRONMENT

  Proposal would change public/private boundaries on Florida's lakes and rivers

  Critics say the public could lose access to thousands of acres along lakes and rivers under pending legislation in Tallahassee.

• Miami-Dade County

  Miami-Dade commissioners pick Tallahassee lobbyists

  After the mayor vetoed a plan to spend more money on state lobbyists, county commissioners slashed their lobbying budget but still hired four lobbying firms.

• In My Opinion

  Tattoos and other privatization fantasies

  First off, after my new company wheedles a contract to privatize a state prison, I intend to do away with traditional prison tattoos. Instead of tear drops or daggers or skulls or spider webs or barbed wire, none of which enhance an inmate’s commercial value, only corporate logos and slogans will be permissible.

• Public utilities

  Energy group wants court to throw out nuclear-cost law

  A six-year-old law has allowed the state’s largest utiltities to collect millions for nuclear power projects, but energy advocates say the money is not going to build new plants as lawmakers intended

• Capitol Buzz: Gov. Rick Scott’s school ranking list will be the subject of much debate

  Here’s what we’re watching on Day 14 of the legislative session (with senators working but no scheduled meetings by House panels):

• CAMPAIGN 2012

  Florida trims early voting hours

  Miami-Dade is one of the few counties in Florida to allow the maximum number of hours for early voting.
• 

  EDUCATION

  Florida school district ranking unveiled: Dade 37th, Broward 26th, Monroe 8th

  A controversial ranking of Florida’s 67 school districts has riled some education officials.

• Legislature 2012

  Scott, lawmakers agree: Schools need at least $1 billion more

  The House is on board with Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to add $1 billion. The Senate might try for $300 million beyond that.

• Capitol Buzz: Redistricting and Medicaid take center stage

  After a whirlwind of a week, members of the Florida Senate return home to their districts on Friday while the House gets to work on the nitty gritty of mapmaking. Here’s what we’re watching:
• 

  Fixes to child-welfare system might make things worse, advocates warn

  Some bills filed in response to the death by abuse of 10-year-old Nubia Barahona could actually weaken the child-welfare network.

• Capitol Buzz: Jam-packed agenda for lawmakers

  Florida lawmakers have a jam-packed day on Thursday with more than 20 committee meetings scheduled as Gov. Rick Scott meets with retailers and tourism officials. Here’s what we’re watching:

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Senate panel approves new rules for Internet cafes

  A Senate committee voted to allow Internet cafés and their slots-style video machines to remain open, albeit with new regulations.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Bill would allow Florida to sell naming rights to state-owned facilities

  Imagine Florida selling naming rights to school cafeterias, bike trails or a state turnpike exit? A Boca Raton lawmaker sees lots of cash for the state.

• Legislature 2012

  Top lawmaker pushes for online only university

  A high-ranking Republican lawmaker Thursday floated the idea of an all-online university to the state Board of Governors.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Major proposed changes to Florida prison system alarm workers, advocates

  The proposed cuts to the state’s prison budget will be deep and be felt throughout many communities in Florida.

• Healthcare

  Florida law would ban bias by at-home patients

  The patients would be protected by a bill of rights under the Senate measure, but they would also be required to accept assistants regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation.

• GAMBLING

  House casino bill sponsor proposes changes to reduce gambling options

  In an effort to win support from the gambling-averse House, Rep. Erik Fresen proposed amendments to a casino bill.

• STATE PENSIONS

  State pension chief wants to double down on investment strategy

  The head of Florida’s $120 billion pension fund wants authority to make “alternative investments” in the future.

• Capitol Buzz: Revamping colleges, privatizing prisons

  Here's what we're watching on Day 9 of the 2012 Legislature:

• Assisted-living facilities

  Florida lawmakers: Get tough on ALFs

  Senators in the Legislature unveiled historic legislation to reform the state’s troubled homes for the elderly and mentally ill.

• HIGHER EDUCATION

  College presidents want power for higher tuition for STEM programs

  Top state university officials want lawmakers to allow their schools to charge undergraduates a higher, market-based tuition for more extensive courses.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Capitol Buzz: It’s all about redistricting

  Florida lawmakers return to the Capitol Tuesday where the Senate will debate redistricting and former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham will join environmentalists to discuss the future of the state’s water policy. Here are the top five things to watch:

• Senate earns bi-partisan support for its redistricting maps as critics complain

  A map to realign the state’s political boundaries according to new redistricting standards draws overwhelming support but opponents blast the effort as incumbency protection

• In My Opinion

  Cockfighting just needs a good lobbyist

  There it was, a veritable gambling paradise, smack dab in the Snake Creek Basin.

• 2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Capitol Buzz: Martin Luther King Jr. to be remembered

  The second week of the legislative session begins with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday observation. State offices are closed and legislators are out of town so it’s a quiet day in the state Capitol Monday. Here are a few things to watch today:
• 

  2012 LEGISLATURE

  Tallahassee battle lines drawn over Internet sales tax

  An effort to collect sales tax from online retailers, like Amazon, gains momentum in the Florida Legislature.

• Healthcare

  Should guns be banned in hospitals?

  The South Florida hospital association is once again asking the Legislature to ban guns in hospitals, but the gun lobby is adamantly opposed and legislators are showing little interest.

• Mudslinging begins in state race in Miami

  Mysterious mailers and Spanish-language robocalls can only mean one thing: The Miami Republican redistricting battle is on.

• REDISTRICTING

  Maps produced under new redistricting standards leave Democrats divided, GOP nervous

  The Florida Senate will soon pass its first redistricting proposal, but the final say will be made by the courts.

• Politifact Florida

  Which city boasts the most strip clubs?

  During a hearing over gambling in Tallahassee, a state senator claimed Tampa was the strip club capital of the world. PolitiFact tried to find proof.
• 

  Sheltering abandoned animals

  Miami-Dade pet lovers push to consider tax to protect unwanted animals

  Bucking anti-tax sentiment, animal advocates are petitioning on behalf of a levy to help treat unwanted pets more humanely.

• INSURANCE

  Plenty of options but no consensus on car insurance reform

  Several competing proposals are being floated by Republicans in Tallahassee to reform auto insurance, but there is no simple fix.

• Casino gambling debate money boosts state fundraising totals

  The Republican Party of Florida was the leading recipient of donations from big donors during the last six months before the start of the 2012 legislative session.

• 2012 LEGISLATURE

  Senate wants a session break — to wait for revenues and avoid cuts

  State senators, optimistic that Florida’s revenue picture will keep ticking upward, reached a bi-partisan agreement to hold off completing the state budget until later in the spring by delaying the end of the regular session.

• SCHOOLS

  School construction funds dry up

  A shortfall in some tax receipts has prompted state officials to suspend funding for school construction and eliminate future funding.

• Capitol Buzz: University missions and limiting governor’s power

  The first Friday of the 2012 legislative session shapes up as a quiet day. Five essentials to watch:

• PRISONS

  Gov. Rick Scott’s budget axe targets women’s prison in Broward

  Seven prisons, including a women’s facility in Pembroke Pines, will be closed as part of Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to trim the state budget.

• Capitol Buzz: Lawmakers weigh major cuts to prisons

  •  The big question is, which prisons? Closing a prison means eliminating jobs, and that is very painful in small-town Florida, where most prisons are located. The Department of Corrections will propose to the Legislature which ones should close.

• 2012 LEGISLATURE

  Senate panel approves school prayer bill

  Under a pair of bills being considered in Tallahassee, high-school students could lead prayers in public schools.

• GAMBLING

  Pari-mutuels may endanger destination casino bill

  Pari-mutuels wield great power in Tallahassee, but their demands could jeopardize a destination gambling bill.

• LEGISLATURE | REDISTRICTING

  Senate committee finalizes redistricting maps as Democrats split

  A Senate committee approved two maps as Democrats divided over an 11th hour submission aimed at creating more competitive districts.
• 

  STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

  Scott touts jobs, less taxes, more money for schools

  In outlining legislative priorities, he touts more jobs and school spending

• 2012 LEGISLATURE

  Capitol Buzz: Redistricting to dominate Legislature

  It’s only the second day of the 60-day legislative session, but the Capitol will be jumping Wednesday. Here are five things to watch:
• 

  2012 LEGISLATURE

  Senate agrees to compensate Broward man for his injuries

  The Senate approved giving a Broward County man about $11 million for injuries he suffered years ago in a car crash with a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy.

• Poll: More think casinos good for Florida economy

  A day after a Senate committee grudgingly passed a bill to bring destination resort casinos to Florida, the first independent statewide poll on the issue shows that Florida voters narrowly support the idea but an overwhelming majority believes that casinos would be “good for Florida’s economy.”

• Healthcare

  Medicaid cuts could mean huge losses for Jackson, Broward public hospitals

  Scott Administration officials said Tuesday that dramatic changes are needed to cut Medicaid costs and make payments fair to hospitals -- but hospitals could suffer from huge reductions.
• 

  Victims lobby for workplace domestic-abuse protection

  Reina Fernández remembers her constant fear of fleeing from an abusive husband while keeping a job he knew she had.

• 2012 LEGISLATURE

  Capitol Buzz: State of the State speech and lots of flowers

  Here’s what we’re watching on Day 1 of the 2012 Legislature:

• In My Opinion

  Florida’s budget solution: Ban the kids

  Pondering the budget Gov. Scott sent to the Legislature, I’m overcome with something similar to the sentiment suffered by adults in the lobby of Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

• 2012 LEGISLATURE

  Lawmakers plan controversy-free agenda

  Despite looming economic woes, legislators plan to keep a short agenda with few controversial issues when they convene for their annual 60-day session .

• 2012 LEGISLATURE

  Florida lawmakers make last-minute rush for campaign cash

  Fundraising is prohibited until the session ends, but demand for campaign contributions is stronger this year because many lawmakers face winning in new districts.

• GAMBLING

  Pari-mutuels gain parity in gambling bill

  A key Senate committee voted to allow pari-mutuels the same games and tax rates as casinos during the gambling bill’s first major test before the Florida Legislature.

• 2012 CAMPAIGN

  More Republicans settle for Romney, though doubtful he’s GOP’s best bet against Obama

  More conservatives concede that he is likely the GOP’s best bet to beat the president.

• LEGISLATURE

  Business interests have aggressive agenda for Florida’s Legislature

  As the 9-week legislative session kicks off in Tallahassee, trade groups and lobbyists will be out in full force to nudge policymakers in a pro-business direction.
• 

  2012 LEGISLATURE

  State lawmakers open session facing $2 billion budget shortfall

  When the Florida Legislature convenes for its annual 60-day session on Tuesday, a $2 billion projected budget shortfall and the redrawing of political districts will dominate.

• THE Florida Legislature

  Miami-Dade lawmakers eye gambling, state funds in session

  Miami-Dade lawmakers will be at the center of much of the action in this year’s legislative session, particularly when it comes to gambling.
• 

  Resort casino debate could become epic battle

  As each of the state’s most powerful business and political interests line up to fight over the fate of destination resort casinos, emotional appeals for jobs will be pitted against emotional concerns about the future of Florida

• Florida Legislature

  Broward lawmakers to tackle redistricting, gambling

  Broward’s political landscape could change a lot with redistricting in this year’s legislative session. Lawmakers will also join the gambling debate in South Florida.

• GAMBLING

  Revised gambling bill asks voters to decide fate of future casinos

  A sweeping rewrite of the destination resort casino bill would require voter approval of any new casinos in Florida.
• 

  Politifact Florida

  Is claim on Florida’s gambling rank among states true?

  Politifact Florida explores a lawmaker’s statement that Florida ‘is considered the fourth-largest gambling state.’

• Social Services

  Miami-Dade judge blocks cuts to disability treatment centers

  The injunction came in response to claims that the state plan, intended to save millions of dollars, would hurt care and was improperly approved.
• 

  REDISTRICTING

  Republicans are prepared to sacrifice numbers in the redistricting battle

  Republican leaders say they designed their maps to comply with the new reapportionment standards, not to protect incumbents, but supporters of Allen West disagree

• In My Opinion

  Time to put an end to texting while driving

  The other day I was driving along a two-lane, quiet residential street with rows of single-family homes on one side and a canal without guard rails on the other, when a black SUV coming in the opposite direction began to veer into my lane.

• Education

  Bill would require transparency in charter school management

  The measure, submitted by state Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, would require the schools to be transparent about who manages them and how much they are paid.

• HEALTHCARE

  State must follow 80-20 rule, feds decide

  Some Floridians may get their premium payments back after the state’s request for an exemption from a federal law was shot down.

• Politics

  Rivera investigation stalled over funds for GOP post

  An investigation into U.S. Rep. David Rivera’s finances has stalled amid questions about money Rivera may have raised that state law does not require him to disclose.

• In My Opinion

  Charter school mess is no surprise

  Unrestrained conflicts of interest. Little accountability. Slip-shod ethics. Lax oversight. Add landlords and developers and for-profit management companies to the formula. Tempt them with $400 million dollars of public money.

• AMENDMENTS

  Judge tosses Amendment 7 off Florida ballot

  The Florida Legislature’s effort to repeal a long-standing ban on taxpayer money for religious organizations was temporarily blocked by a judge.

• Charter schools

  Miami-Dade school board delays charter school vote

  The board voted to move to next month a vote on approving applications for 14 new charters, in light of a Miami Herald series raising questions about potential conflicts of interest at the schools.
• 

  LEGISLATURE 2012

  Legislators try again to ban texting while driving

  Once again, lawmakers will consider a ban like those already enacted by 35 states. But some experts say it wouldn’t make the roads any safer.

• ELECTIONS

  Nancy Argenziano sues to block part of Florida's new election law

  Former state Sen. Nancy Argenziano filed a lawsuit Friday challenging a new state law that prevents her from running for Congress as a Democrat.

• STATE BUDGET

  Scott aides defend Medicaid cuts

  Hospitals and some lawmakers oppose Gov. Rick Scott's budget plan to cut Medicaid.

• REDISTRICTING

  House maps create more compact districts, some competition

  Five similar proposals that emerged from the House redistricting committee expand minority districts, streamline boundaries and pit incumbents against each other.

• In My Opinion

  In Tallahassee, panic buttons replace common sense

  Don’t think of the electronic alerts installed in the state Capitol as panic buttons. Think of them as metaphors.

• Casino bill faces resistance even in normally friendly committee

  The Senate sponsor of the casino resort bill offers to make a series of changes to the proposal as opposition mounts even among gambling friendly senators.

• ALF watchdog: I was dumped for doing my job

  A volunteer ALF watchdog who accused his leaders of muzzling their own program has been fired.
• 

  STATE BUDGET

  Scott calls for more education spending, less on Medicaid

  Marking a clear shift in priorities, Gov. Rick Scott proposed a $66 billion budget that includes a large increase in education funding.

• Redistricting

  Florida Senate's redistricting map mirrors plan by NAACP

  A proposed Senate redistricting map creates six black-majority districts and packs Democrats into some seats, favoring Republicans, just as proposed by the Florida NAACP.

• REDISTRICTING

  Redistricting plan creates competitive races

  The proposed Florida House redistricting maps pit incumbents against each other in the next year’s elections.

• STATE CAPITOL

  With new gun law, Florida lawmakers can now hit panic button

  With the Florida Capitol no longer asking gun owners to secure firearms, the Senate has installed panic buttons for lawmakers and their staff.
• 

  Florida gambling law filled with barrel-sized loopholes

  Florida’s gambling laws, thanks in part to special interest influence, are a hodgepodge that savvy attorneys have learned to exploit.

• The Everglades

  Legislators form Everglades-preservation caucus

  The lawmakers say that even amid a deeply struggling economy, the state and Congress must find the money needed to improve the Everglades and protect South Florida’s drinking water.

• Redistricting

  Senate maps help and hurt Republicans, pack Democrats into minority seats

  A Herald/Times analysis of the voting patterns of the proposed Senate redistricting maps shows they both help and hurt Republicans while consolidating Democrats into black seats

• Elections law

  Florida lawmakers subpoenaed in elections lawsuit

  Eleven state legislators have been hit with subpoenas in a federal lawsuit involving four controversial provisions of Florida’s new election law.

• In My Opinion

  Where’s Meyer Lansky when you need him?

  At least when Meyer Lansky ran the show someone was in charge.

• Redistricting

  First redistricting maps for Florida create new Hispanic seats and retain GOP strength

  A Florida Senate committee’s redistricting maps for the state Senate and Congress favors districts that create strong Republican seats.

• Gambling

  Casino debate revives concerns over broken promises

  Sponsors of a bill to bring “destination resort’ casinos to Florida make no revenue promises, but opponents warn that dashed hopes are inevitable.
• 

  Scott’s office will review spending by juvenile program

  After two state agencies found fault with spending by a provider of services for delinquent girls, the governor’s office it will take a fresh look.

• Tallahassee

  Florida tackles car insurance fraud

  Lawmakers are considering a range of options to deal with PIP fraud.

• Assisted living facilities

  Lawmakers support tougher ALF oversight

  Months after trying to strip away some protections for elderly residents of the homes, lawmakers have changed course, saying the facilities need more scrutiny.
• 

  Gambling

  Genting’s spectacular promises raise legislative doubts

  The Senate sponsor of the resort casino bill slaps down the Malaysian-based company with a warning to tone its rhetoric down at the first legislative workshop of the resort casinos bill.

• Tallahassee

  Florida told to track cash incentives

  Top jobs officials for Gov. Scott’s administration were told Tuesday to keep better track of cash incentives the state has spent or risk getting less money next year.

• Gambling debate

  Bill would replace resort casinos with more money from Seminoles

  A Palm Beach Democrat suggests having the governor re-negotiate the state’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe to demand higher payments and reject resort casinos

• The GAMBLING DEBATE

  Florida economists: Casino revenue would be mild boost to state coffers

  State economic forecasters issued an analysis of the financial impact on Florida if three resort casinos open in Miami-Dade and Broward.

• GAMBLING

  Challenges promised to gambling permits issued under state loophole

  Expanded wagering in Miami-Dade and a bid for more in Broward and elsewhere have spurred promises of lawsuits against the state’s pari-mutuel laws.
• 

  Advocates push for millions for child development

  The Children’s Movement unveiled a five-point agenda for the upcoming legislative session, seeking $28.5 million in funding for child-developmental programs.

• Florida Constitution

  Group hopes to define a fertilized human egg as human under state Constitution

  A referendum on the issue Tuesday in Mississippi could be a precursor to a similar drive in Florida, where supporters are gathering signatures to allow voters to decide eventually on a constitutional amendment.

• Assisted-living facilities

  Some ALFs pay kickbacks for residents, task force told

  ALF owners complained Monday of corruption, over-regulation and inadequate state funding at a meeting investigating problems at the facilities.

• FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

  Is naming roads for people out of hand? Lawmakers to weigh practice

  Since the 1920s, the Florida Legislature has approved more than 1,000 new names for Florida bridges and roads, and some places are named for more than one person. It’s now rethinking the policy.

• GAMBLING

  Miami Chamber of Commerce to host forum on ‘destination gaming’ in South Florida

  With talk of Las Vegas-style gaming the topic of hot debate in South Florida, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce announced it will host a forum Monday bringing together key lawmakers and gaming executives.

• UNEMPLOYMENT TAX

  Unemployment tax in Florida may rise sharply in 2012

  If the Florida Legislature makes no changes, employers throughout the state will see significantly higher unemployment tax bills.

• GOV. RICK SCOTT

  Scott’s former company taking jobs to Tennessee

  Gov. Rick Scott, who pledged to bring jobs to Florida, reacted to news that a chain of health clinics he once owned is moving its executive offices to Tennessee.

• Gambling

  Racetrack gets license for another Miami casino

  State regulators gave the owners of Magic City Casino a new gambling permit that could open the door for them to operate another casino.

• Black caucus asks Scott for more minority judges

  Two of 36 judges Scott appointed since January are African-American, a record black lawmakers say must be improved.

• Tallahassee

  State to appeal private-prison ruling

  At the request of the Legislature, the state will challenge a judge’s order blocking privatization of 30 prisons in South Florida.

• Casinos

  Opponents line up against new casino bill

  Local government leaders expressed frustration with a casino-resort plan for failing to protect local jobs and not giving local leaders control.

• Judge: Cuts to state employees violated contract

  A Leon County judge grills state lawyers on the move by legislators to cut state worker salaries and retirement benefits by $1 billion to fill a budget hole in the last legislative session.
• 

  Assisted living facilities

  Miami-Dade grand jury probes troubled ALFs

  After years of abuse and neglect at ALFs, a grand jury is investigating deadly breakdowns in the facilities — the primary homes for the elderly and mentally ill in Florida.
• 

  Regulators agree to let FPL raise rates to pay for possible nuclear plants

  State utility regulators rejected arguments from consumer advocates and agreed to allow utility companies to charge customers so they can invest in speculative plans for nuclear power.

• Politifact

  Countering Rick Scott, University Chancellor Frank Brogan argues that anthropology is part of STEM

  Gov. Rick Scott found himself at war with anthropologists when he told a radio talk show host this month that Florida doesn’t need “a lot more anthropologists.”
• 

  REDISTRICTING

  Senator’s call to check citizenship of Hispanic voters draws fire

  Fueled by a surge in the Hispanic population, Florida will get two new congressional district. A state senator wants Hispanic voters to prove they are citizens first.

• CONSUMER AFFAIRS

  Bill would prohibit debit card fees

  A bill proposed in Tallahassee would not allow banking giants to charge Florida customers for use of debit cards.
• 

  LAW ENFORCEMENT

  Crackdown on Florida timeshare fraud causes rift

  Attorney General Pam Bondi is backing a bill to cut down on timeshare fraud, even as she faces criticism over political donations and her role in investigating other types of fraud.
• 

  GAMBLING

  Florida gaming commission to follow N.J., Nevada models

  Extraordinary regulatory powers based on those used by Nevada and New Jersey would be given to a state gambling commission under a bill to grant South Florida casino licenses.

• Ready, aim, fire, says lawmaker, who wants firing squad used to execute criminals

  A Panhandle lawmaker says he has the solution to the controversy over lethal injections — offering inmates what he calls a “lead cocktail” instead.

• COURTS

  State court gets financial help

  The troubled finances of the state court system got a boost when Gov. Rick Scott extended a $45 million loan to cover a budget shortfall.
• 

  STATE BUDGET

  Scott: State needs more science grads, new toll roads and fewer business taxes

  Gov. Rick Scott’s blueprint for the state’s budget calls for less taxes on business and a push to graduate more engineers, scientists and mathematicians from state universities.

• HIGHER EDUCATION

  Court: Lawmakers can set tuition rates

  In a victory for lawmakers, an appelate court ruled that the Florida Legislature can determine tuition rates.

• State tax collections down $1.5 billion

  Legislative efforts to stabilize the economy with budget cuts and tax incentives weren’t enough to boost revenues, which are forecast to fall $1.5 billion.
• 

  GAMING

  Court ruling allows legislators to expand casino gaming in South Florida

  An appeals court ruling Thursday makes it clear legislators can expand gambling without voter approval, giving more momentum to legislation to bring three resort casinos to Miami Dade and Broward counties.

• Everglades cleanup

  Florida asks for more time for Everglades cleanup

  Gov. Scott met with federal officials Thursday and asked for an additional six years to clean out pollution in the River of Grass. Any delay needs the approval of a federal judge.

• Florida Politics

  Tea party activists allowed to use space in Senate building

  Even though the group called Room 227 its ‘headquarters,’ it’s a temporary and occasional meeting space for the movement’s followers during the legislative session.

• Elder affairs office

  Lawmakers grill state Elder Affairs chief over allegations of muzzling activists

  The elder-affairs agency head comes under fire amid accusations that the administration attempted to silence critics of nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• 

  Republican Party

  Florida GOP leaders ask national party to boycott Univision debate

  The party leaders say the network tried to “extort” U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to appear on an interview show.
• 

  PRISON

  Lawmakers seek help for drug-addicted inmates

  One of every 10 inmates in the Florida prison system is behind bars for using drugs, and only a fraction get help for their addiction. Lawmakers want to end the cycle of drug-related incarceration.

• PRISONS

  Florida judge calls prison outsourcing unconstitutional

  A state judge on Friday declared unconstitutional the Legislature’s decision to privatize 30 prisons in 18 counties, saying the action violated existing state laws.

• State prisons

  Prison guards challenge privatization of South Florida lockups

  The union representing the guards, argues the state acted unconstitutionally when it required that 18 prisons from Bradenton to the Keys be transferred to private companies.
• 

  GAMING

  Miami Sen. Rene Garcia visits, loves Genting’s Singapore casino

  State Sen. Rene Garcia said he visited the Genting casino in Malaysia on his own dime to see what could come to Miami.
• 

  Miami-Dade County Commission backs mayor’s budget and reorganization plans

  With the new budget and government reorganization approved, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez scored a victory — but his work is only beginning.

• TAXES

  Legislator accuses state tax collector of selective enforcement of hotel tax

  Florida’s Department of Revenue and attorney general come under fire for its decision not to pursue the online travel industry to pay back taxes on hotel rooms

• FORECLOSURES

  Rick Scott, GOP to consider taking courts out of foreclosure process

  Gov. Rick Scott, along with top lawmakers, are interested in legislation to change Florida laws so judges won’t have to referee foreclosures.

• PRISONS

  Corrections officers protest in Boca Raton

  State correctional officers from around Florida protested Wednesday morning at the headquarters of GEO Group Inc. in Boca Raton, a prison management company.

• In My Opinion

  Making Miami the capital of tokes

  That strange, ever-curving architectural fantasy planned for One Herald Plaza fairly radiates whimsy. The artist rendering released last week reminded me of cover drawings on the sci-fi novels I read as a kid. They only lacked a few gamblers flying around in jet packs.

• Lawmakers: Regulators need to crack down on ALFS

  Legislative report: State regulators need to shut down dangerous assisted living facilities — and stop bargaining down punishments.

• LEGISLATURE

  Gaetz crowned next Senate president in Capitol ceremony

  State Senate Republicans held a ceremony in Tallahassee for their newly designated president, Sen. Don Gaetz

• GAMING

  No Casinos group re-emerges to fight new legislation

  An Orlando-based group revives a dormant anti-gambling committee to fend off resort casinos efforts.
• 

  GAMBLING

  Proposed casino hopes to lure in whale-sized wallets

  With already a dozen casinos operating or under construction in South Florida, is there room for new luxury mega-casinos?

• State revenue outlook is bleak

  With the economy sputtering, state analysts will gather Oct. 11 and dish out bad budget news.

• FREE SPEECH

  Judge blocks Fla. law restricting doctor gun talk

  A federal judge in Miami has blocked enforcement of a first-in-the-nation Florida law restricting what physicians can say about guns to their patients.

• MERIT PAY

  Fla. teachers union files suit over merit pay law

  The state’s largest teachers union filed suit challenging A new state law that redefines how public school teachers are paid, evaluated, hired and fired.

• Gaming

  Legislators are counting on rare moment to bring resort casinos to Florida

  Legislators say casino industry interest and the state’s dismal economy make the timing right for the Florida Legislature to approve a casino bill this year.

• LAWSUIT

  Senator sued over guest workers

  J.D. Alexander, influential in softening immigration reform legislation, faces a lawsuit from two farmworkers who say he violated federal law by firing American citizens and green card holders and replacing them with guest workers on his farm.

• REDISTRICTING

  Judge dismisses redistricting suit

  A Miami judge tossed out a challenge to a state constitutional amendment limiting how districts are drawn for congressional elections, but two lawmakers who filed suit will fight to U.S. Supreme Court.

• WELFARE

  ACLU, Navy vet sue over welfare drug testing law

  Gov. Rick Scott is being challenged over a new state law that requires welfare recipients to first pass a drug test.

• REDISTRICTING

  Legislators hear drumbeat of complaints over timeline, cost of redistricting

  Legislators complete their redistricting public hearings this week in Tampa and other Southwest Florida cities.

• FLORIDA

  Former House Speaker files ethics lawsuit against prosecutor

  Complaint alleges state attorney “manipulated’’ the process to get indictments against the former Speaker of the House.
• 

  FLORIDA

  Florida’s attorney general under attack for personnel issues

  Seizing on the controversy, Democrats are calling for special investigations and introducing legislation aimed at the Attorney General’s office.

• 2012 Redistricting

  Florida redistricting committee hears pleas from cities, minorities

  Miami residents urged state lawmakers to use common sense when drawing new legislative and congressional districts, keeping cities and neighborhoods together and avoiding gerrymandering.
• 

  INSURANCE

  Governor Scott: Legislature needs to tackle insurance fraud

  More insurance increases are likely unless state Legislators make reforms to combat fraud.

• FLORIDA

  Privatization of prison comes with an unexpected $25 million expense

  Taxpayers will be footing the bill for displaced employees’ accumulated sick and vacation time.

• Florida Legislature

  Lawmakers seek ways around class-size rules

  State lawmakers are poised to ease class-size requirements. Cash-strapped school districts have asked for the change, though voters rejected the move at the polls last year.

• Iowa, South Carolina outraged over Florida primary

  Officials in Iowa and South Carolina are steamed over Florida’s early presidential primary.

• HEALTH INSURANCE

  Senate: State workers should pay more for health insurance

  A proposal in the Florida Legislature would require that public employee pay more money to cover the cost of their health insurance plan.

• Deep cuts proposed in Senate budget bill

  The Florida Senate’s Appropriations Committee signed off on a $69.8 billion budget that contains deep cuts and layoffs of public employees.

• FLORIDA BUDGET

  Agency chiefs may face working closer to home

  Agency heads would have to live near Tallahassee, with a tighter control on their travel expenses, under a new legislative proposal that followed reports of travel costs for three agency directors.

• Leaving Tallahassee

  Ten state lawmakers from Miami-Dade and Broward are leaving office this year. Here's a look at their tenure in the Legislature.

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