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Local governments won’t be able to stop fracking for natural gas under legislation approved by a House Committee in the State Capitol today. the measure was opposed by cities and counties, but sponsor Ray Rodrigues of Ft. Myers says drilling is safe and local governments should be able to put up roadblocks.

“Two municipalities have interjected themselves into the permitting process. This bill is clarifying there is no implied preemption. we’re going to make that express so that you know oil and gas regulation resides with he state” says Rodrigues.

In additional to local government opposition. Most environmental groups, are against Fracking  Dave Cullen of the Sierra club says there are two reasons not to allow fracking. the first is that Florida shouldn’t be looking to fossil fuel for the future.

“The other is the potential for the contamination of the water we depend on. And it’s not only for our drinking, but our clean water supports so much of our economy. Our tourism, our commercial and recreation fishing, All of those things need clean water” says Cullen.

The committee approved the measure on a 9 to 3 vote along party lines with all three Democrats voting no.

A legislative committee today approved a requirement that all rape kits be submitted for testing within thirty days of the evidence being collected or on the victim or victim advocate asking the kit be tested. State Rep. Janet Adkins cited a Detroit study that tested about a fourth of the cities untested rape kits and got astounding results.

“When you look at the numbers from Detroit there were 8,700 kits that have not been tested. They took about 2,000 of those kits, tested them, they identified 188 serial predators. When you stop and think about that, 188 serial predators who now have been identified in Detroit, that’s appalling. We can not only ensure justice for these victims, but believe we can prevent future crimes” says Adkins
The legislation also requires all of Florida’s nearly eleven thousand rape kits to be tested by mid 2017.

A four month investigation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in Florida has concluded the Women’s Health organization sold no fetal tissue and broke no laws. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, FDLE says it left no stone unturned.

The Florida Department of Law enforcement says it’s exhaustive investigation found no evidence Planned Parenthood broke any law prohibiting the sale off fetal tissue.

Molly Best, Department of Law Enforcement Spokesperson, says the investigation is closed. “We did 233 man hours were spent on this investigation, so we did look at it very thoroughly. We took the concerns to heart. we wanted to make sure that we addressed them, and we wanted to make sure if there was any criminal wrongdoing, we addressed it” says Best.

Planned Parenthood of Florida spokesman Damien Filier has said from the beginning that they haven’t broken the law.

“This program is one that we don’t even participate in in Florida, so for us, we knew from the beginning what the results would be” says Filer.

The FDLE investigation was one of three that were conducted. Governor Rick Scott had previously asked the Dept of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration to inspect clinics. Four minor administrative violations were sited.

Judiciary Chairman Charles McBurney of Jacksonville requested the investigation. He says he ’s pleased with the outcome.

“I believe there was a reasonable suspicion, based on  those tapes, but I’m..at the end of the day, I’m pleased that they didn’t find anything” says McBurney.

State Senator Eleanor Sobel, who has spoken out against abortion restrictions at every turn says she isn’t surprised by the investigations outcome. “This is a witchhuzd against women” says Sobel, not mincing words.

Simultaneously with the letter closing the investigation, the Florida Family Policy Council called off an anti Planned Parenthood rally planned for next week.

The Florida Family Policy Council cited the clinic shootings in postponing its anti Planned Parenthood rally. The state provides no money to Planned Parenthood and hasn’t for more than a decade.

A State Senate Committee has approved legislation ending a civil war policy of making it a crime for two unmarried adults to live together. While enforcement has been rare, the law had the potential for being used to discriminate against parents not paying child support or other reasons. Sponsor Eleanor Sobel says the laws demise is long overdue.

“I think about the Villages where a lot of people are shacking up. There’s a lot of people living together and the bill, the law is ancient. It occurred around the time of the Civil War.  And, Um, it’s time we repealed this law that could lead to court hearing, misdemeanors, and people brought into court for just living together.” says Sobel, who represents Hollywood in Broward County.

Similar legislation has already cleared a House Committee.

After hearing criticism from lawmakers, Governor Rick Scott made a rare appearance before the House Finance and Tax Committee to pitch his billion dollar tax cut this afternoon. He was hit with questions asking why he is allowing homeowners property taxes to rise with increasing values to fund schools instead of reducing corporate tax cuts or using state savings. Scott says it is to diversity the economy.

“if you look at what we’re doing with regard to property taxes, we’re not increasing the mileage rate….we’re not increasing the milage rate. It’s positive when the values of peoples homes go up. It’s way better when the four years before I got elected, home prices dropped almost fifty percent” Scott told reporters.

The billion dollar tax cut package, which other than reducing sales taxes on college text books and providing for a Back to School tax free holiday goes almost exclusively to businesses.

Many know the dangers of texting behind the wheel but in Florida, there’s nothing stopping you from doing it if you’re following every other traffic law. As Matt Galka tells us, a new push to crack down on the crime now has some Republicans taking the wheel on the issue.

A texting while driving simulator was on full display in Florida’s capitol Tuesday trying to drive home the point about the potential fatal consequences of messaging or emailing behind the wheel.

Lawmakers renewed a push to make texting while driving a primary offense in the state.  It’s only a secondary offense now, which means a cop can watch you text behind the wheel but can’t pull you over.

Patricia Viccaro lost her son when he was hit by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. She’s pleading for stiffer penalties.

“My son’s life is worth more than a $30 dollar fine. Having this law as a secondary offense is not supporting our law enforcement to do their job. They can see someone on their phones without having any legal right to stop them,” she said.

Making texting while driving a primary offense has been led by Democrats in the past but Republicans have the bill in both the House and Senate.

Representative Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) said he almost didn’t take the bill.

“We all do it, and I text and drive. I do it rarely but I find myself doing that. It was a debate for me whether or not I wanted to take the bill on,” he said.

But he’s hopeful it can pass with Republican backing.

“It’s so important and if I get a ticket, then I get a ticket, I need one and I deserve one,” said Rep. Perry.

Only 1800 citations were given out last year in Florida for texting while driving as a secondary offense.

The bill has been filed in both the House and Senate but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. Only five states, including Florida, list texting while driving as a secondary offense.