Florida
lawmakers are gearing up for another session. This time they have to
deal with a serious budget shortfall, debates over taxes and what to do
with federal stimulus money. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez spoke with
Democratic state senator Dave Aronberg about expectations for this
year’s session.

Florida legislators are preparing for a special session next month to make up a 2.3 billion dollar budget deficit. Democratic State Senator, Dave Aronberg, who voted against the budget last year, is heading to Tallahassee with a sense of frustration. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Environmental, government and business groups announced their support yesterday for Amendment 4, a measure on the November ballot that would create incentives to set aside land for conservation. Margie Menzel reports.

Florida educators are celebrating the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to throw off amendments 5, 7 and 9 off the November ballot. Florida Education Association President Andy Ford released a statement just minutes after decision - calling the ruling a victory for everyone in the state. James Call reports.

A Tallahassee Circuit Judge has ordered Amendment 5 – the so-called “tax swap proposal” off of November Ballot. As James Call reports, he calls the ballot language misleading.

Florida Republican Senator Mel Martinez is bringing Medicare fraud to the nation’s attention. He’s filing legislation that would try to curb fraud in the system. Lynn Hatter reports.

The Florida Association of Realtors has launched a campaign to pass
Amendment 5, saying the tax swap plan is the right thing to do. James Call reports.

Governor Charlie Crist signed a long list of new bills into law Wednesday morning. As Tom Flanigan reports, all of them increased penalties for various criminal acts…

No ruling is expected on a new guns-to-work law before it goes into effect July 1st. Margie Menzel reports.

A powerful state lawmaker has begun a campaign to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment that supporters say will lower Florida’s tax bill. As James Call reports, state Senator Mike Haridopolous is leading a broad-based coalition to convince voters to say no to Amendment Five.