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For the 32nd year in a row, the state Capitol has been home to the world’s largest Paella. The food fest is sponsored by Miami Dade County for their annual trip to the Capitol. Chef Bijan Nakhuvuan’s goal; feed two thousand hungry denizens of the Capitol.

“400 pounds of chicken, and we had almost about 700 pounds of seafood, which is shrimp, crab, lobster meat, mussels, octopus, and fish, and the rest is rice, tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, onions, garlic, and beer and wine on rice.”

Governor Rick Scott is a usual participant, serving Paella up to all who come,, but this year, he left the duties to Lt. governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who is running for the US Senate.

Efforts to do away with a fee on cremations stalled today in a Senate Committee. 42 counties collect fees ranging from 30 to 60 dollars overtime some one is cremated. The four million collected each year is used to fund the medical examiners officer. Susan Harbin of the Association of Counties says the fee makes sure no evidence is lost before a body is cremated.

“you have to have a highly trained professional determine the cause of death and make sure no evidentiary issues are overlooked before you creamate the body and finally dispose of any potential evidence. There’s a public safety issue at hand here” says Harbin.

Although efforts to remove the fee appear to have failed, the legislation now limits the fee to fifty dollars for each cremation.

Governor Rick Scott signed a bill last June mandating a 24 hour waiting period for a woman before she gets an abortion…but its been locked in a legal battle ever since. As Matt Galka tells us, the case found itself in appeals court Tuesday morning.

Should a woman have to wait 24 hours before she proceeds with an abortion? The questions been debated since the Governor signed the law mandating the waiting period last year.  Representative Jennifer Sullivan (R-Mount Dora) said she didn’t write an unconstitutional law.

“I think it empowers women, they get that consultation with the doctor which currently the doctors aren’t showing them like they do for other patients in other procedures,” she said.

But the American Civil Liberties Union disagrees. They told the First District Court of Appeals Tuesday morning that the law harms women’s health.

“They should not be forced to delay the procedure they should not be forced to undertake the additional costs and burdens of having to take more time off work,” said staff attorney Julia Kaye.

The law was signed in 2015 but was essentially only in effect for one day before an injunction was filed.

Medical students who joined the lawsuit say the law negatively impacts their education. And because of doctor’s schedules, a 24 hour waiting period could turn into 48 or 72.

Catherine Somodi-Stephenson/Medical Students for Choice

“That can sometimes bump up the price of a procedure for her, and for a woman who already saves so much money for the procedure that can be truly detrimental,” said Catherine Somodi-Stephenson, a member of the group Medical Students for Choice.

Appeals court judges now have to decide whether or not the law violates Florida’s constitutional guarantee of privacy to citizens.

The appeals court will decide whether or not to keep the injunction against the law in effect and could ultimately turn the case back to a lower court.

Florida is one of four states whose birth certificates don’t reflect the changes in modern parenting, But as Mike Vasilinda tells us, legislation trying to modernize the wording on Florida birth certificates is running into some opposition.

In Florida, by law, parents are still listed as Father and Mother on birth certificates. Lesbian couples who give birth must petition a judge if they want to be listed as the mother, the spouse or the parent.

Carlos Smith from Equality Florida says the legalization of same sex marriages means Florida birth certificates should reflect modern realities.

“Parental presumption is one of the many rights which is afforded to marriage, and so if a same sex couple is married, one of the rights that they have is the right to an accurate birth certificate so they can be treated in the exact same way as opposite sex couples.“

But Sponsor David Richardson (D-Miami) says Florida is one of four states in which the Department of Health doesn’t have the authority to list same sex couples as parents.

“We have always assumed we know who the mother is because the mother is the one bearing the child, But even that has changed given the advances in reproductive technologies.”

The legislation was approved ten nothing by a House Committee. Three members did not vote.

“Now I recognize that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle may not want to take a vote on this issue. But, they’ll let a judge do it perhaps, and then when the judges does it, they’ll cry there’re just being an activist judge and legislating from the bench” says Richardson.

Under the new legislation new parents have the right to designate what they want to be called. Their choices: mother, father, or parent.

The three other states that haven’t changed their birth certificate laws include Wisconsin, Indianan, and Arkansas.

For the first time in four decades, Florida lawmakers today heard legislation prohibiting discrimination against gay and transgender people. For more than an hour, Senators asked questions, including whether the legislation would change how people use public restrooms. Carlos Smith of Equality Florida calls the legislation historic.

“A lot of people don’t realize that it is currently totally legal to refuse service, to refuse housing, or even refuse employment or fire someone simply because they are gay or transgender., This bill finally offers those existing protections under the Florida Civil Rights Act so that everyone is treated fairly.”

The legislation was voted down, but then saved by a parliamentary procedure that could bring the idea back up at the Senate Judiciary Committee’s next meeting.

Many of us have been there – you decided last minute to head to a game and you just try to pick up some tickets outside – or something comes up and you have to try and get rid of your tickets. As Matt Galka tells us, a bill moving through the legislature would make sure fans still have the ability to do that without being punished by teams or venues.

Tim Center’s been a lifelong Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan.

“We’ve had season tickets since day one. I used to sell peanuts in the stands with the Cub Scouts,” he said.

Now a season ticket holder living in Tallahassee, Center makes his best effort to get to every game, but it’s not always possible. Center believes he has every right to sell his tickets and let someone else go if he can’t.

“The ability to transfer my ticket to somebody else is a need because I’ve got to recoup a little bit of that that money, it’s almost $100 bucks a game, expensive, so to do that and get a ticket to somebody is awesome,” he said.

Lawmakers are pushing a bill that would prevent a team or artist from punishing fans who resell. The bill has already moved through one House committee.

“This would prevent a team from taking away your season tickets mid stream or punishing you, that’s one example,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs).

The proposal has big secondary market support from ticket reseller StubHub. But box office giant Ticketmaster is opposed.

The bill flies in the face of what the Tampa Bay Lightning tried to do during their Stanley Cup Playoff run last year when the team threatened to cancel future seats for ticket holders if they tried to resell them.

In June 2002, The U-S Supreme Court issued it’s “Ring Decision” finding only a jury could determine if death was appropriate. Florida Justices immediately downplayed it’s significance..and judges were reminded of that decision this week by the Attorney General’s office because they want to narrow the changes to existing death sentences. Justice Fred Lewis wrote the original opinion.

“We can be wrong. I have to be big enough to admit.”

In January the Nation’s highest court did indeed say Ring applied to Florida. Just Barbara Pariente read it outlaid more than once.

“As we hold the sentencing scheme unconstitutional.”

Death Row Attorneys are asking the court to re-sentence all 389 death row inmates to life in prison. The state wants the court to keep death sentences for everyone already there. Justice Lewis doesn’t think that’s fair.

“And that one person is executed today, but the one that comes up tomorrow is not, and there’s really no difference between their cases” said Lewis from the bench.

Right now, there are 43 active death appeals here at Florida’s Supreme Court. And  because those appeals aren’t final, all 43 will likely be be automatically re-sentenced to life in prison.

But what about the other 346? Since Ring, 40 inmates went to their death in Florida.

Rex Dimmig is the 10th Circuit Public Defender. “So they followed their normal procedural sorts of rules. Unfortunately it does result in people having been executed that we now know were unconstitutionally executed” says Dimmig.

Now the court must decide if it wants to chance getting it wrong again by keeping most death sentences. dOr avoid that mistake by sentencing every prisoner facing death to life without parole.

State lawmakers are looking at new sentencing schemes for Florida. This week a House committee adopted a 9-3 jury recommendation. The Senate is considering requiring a unanimous verdict. Neither house is considering what to do about those already on death row.

It’s been a controversial topic – increasing the minimum wage for what some call low-level jobs. But as Matt Galka tells us, a new study says the low wages that many Floridians are making are costing the rest of the taxpayers billions.

Patricia Walker is a Tampa home care worker making minimum wage. It’s not easy for the mother of two.

“I take care of my clients and make sure they have food, but then I need to go home and open my refrigerator to see what I got to eat,” she said.

Walker pleaded with state legislators to raise the minimum wage to 15 dollars so she and many others around the state can live without assistance.

“We give our heart to our clients or our customers in whatever we do. But who’s gonna support us? Who’s gonna help us out,” she said.

A new study from Florida State University economics professor Patrick L. Mason says that the low wage earners are draining every other tax payer throughout the state.

“10 programs you calculate the total amount that is going to low-wage workers and that’s where the $11.4 billion dollars comes from,” said Mason.

State Democrats filed bills to increase the state’s current 8 dollar and five cents minimum wage.

“Why is it you’re working two or three jobs why is it you’re having to depend on food stamps why is it you’re depending on agencies to make sure you have a quality of life,” said Orlando Democrat Rep. Victor Torres, the House bill’s sponsor.

Even supporters say that it could all just be wishful thinking as the Republican control legislature has no plans to push for a $15 minimum wage.

Bills raising the minimum wage have yet to be heard in both the House and the Senate.

The report is backed by the SEIU public service labor union.

Pastors and their churches could not be sued for refusing to perform same sex marriages under legislation that moved forward today in the State Capitol. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, opponents say it creates a smoke screen for bigotry.

Churches wouldn’t lose their tax exempt status and pastors couldn’t be sued for refusing to perform same sex marriages under the so called pastor protection act sponsored by  Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Altamonte Springs)

“This is a conscious protection bill” says Plakon.

The idea generated a firestorm of emotion as nearly 40 pastors of all stripes spoke out.

Including Pastor D. Donaldson of Miami “Family first starts with a man and a woman. I don’t see it any other way. I will not do it, and I will not let you handcuff me for something I’m doing right for god.”

Pastor Harold Thompson of the United Methodist Church of Miami took the other side.

“It’s divisive. It will rip apart how we understand our faith” Thompson told lawmakers.

Nearly all conceded they are already protected by the first amendment’s freedom of religion clause.

”I don’t need it and I don’t want it” said Pastor Claire Washington.

But the Christian Family coalition pointed to two lawsuits in other states  the embroiled small churches in litigation.  Anthony Verdugo is the organizations Executive Director.

“Yes, we have cases in the United States where ministers have been sued, that’s why we need it.”

Attempts to weaken the legislation were unsuccessful. Rep. Dave Kerner was blunt in his opposition.  “It’s offensive to me” said Kerner.

Even supporters like Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Naples) said they hoped the protections were never needed, but. “You never hope you’re going to need your air bag, right? But frankly, you’d like to have one just in case.”

Supporters called the positive vote a victory.

The legislation’s next stop, a vote by the full house.

A Senate companion still has two more hearings before it could come up for a vote.

In addition to the US Constitution, the Florida constitution protects the freedom of religion.

Legislation limiting appeals court and Supreme Court Justices to two six year terms cleared its final House Committee today and is ready for a vote by the full House. Many see the legislation as payback for unfavorable judicial rulings this past year on legislative redistricting. The legislation was approved today over the objections of the Florida bar. Spokesman Chris Carlyle said experience is important. “it doesn’t make sense to take experienced people who are doing their job, have gained some expertise, some wisdom over a period of time and get rid of the arbitrarily for no good reason.”

Judges are already required to retire at the age of 70.

Divorces can be complicated and emotional, especially when finances and alimony are involved.  As Matt Galka tells us, Florida lawmakers are backing a bill that could put an end to permanent alimony in the state.

The days of paying an ex-spouse for life could be numbered if the Florida House gets their way.  Representative Colleen Burton’s (R-Lakeland) bill would effectively put an end to the permanent payments.

“This is a bill that, across our state, provides a framework that provides wherever you live in the state, you walk in and can ensure you’ll receive equal treatment no matter where you are,” said Rep. Burton.

The bill gives judges a formula to determine limited alimony. Tampa Family law attorney Joseph Hunt says the bill would give uniformity to a complicated issue.

“We have seven family law judges in Tampa I can have the same set of fact and receive 7 different outcomes for alimony, is that fair to the people of Florida?” said Hunt.

Alimony is typically looked at as an ex-husband paying an ex-wife. But Tarie MacMillan says her ex lives off 65 percent of her income.

“No adult should live off another adult is my basic feeling. I mean once my children are 18 they’re responsible for themselves, but if you marry someone and you decide not to be married you can be responsible for paying the rest of their lives or the rest of your life,” said MacMillan, the Vice President of Family Law Reform group.

Stay at home moms are worried the bill could cripple them. Shelly Moxon Lehman says she was a cheated on and a victim of domestic violence before she got a divorce.

“It was not good for our children to be in that but nowadays if there’s no protection for full time mothers, women are going to stay in those relationships, knowing they’re not going to survive,” said Moxon Lehman.

Governor Rick Scott vetoed a 2013 bill that would have ended permanent alimony because it was retroactive.

The bill Is ready for a full vote from the House but has yet to be heard in the Senate

Governor Rick Scott continued his push for a billion dollar tax cut that benefits mostly businesses today, And as Mike Vasilinda tells us the Governor is getting some pushback from lawmakers over who should reap the benefits.

To pitch his tax cuts, Governor Rick Scott took to tossing bean bags in the Capitol rotunda.

“Oh, it’s tied up right now”

He was joined by the leaders of the state’s two biggest business lobby groups.
“It’s unfair that our businesses are in the only state where they pay a tax on commercials leases” said Scott as part of his pitch.

But nowhere in sight were average people who would benefit from the cuts.

When you look at the breakdown, almost all of the money goes to businesses, with only ten or eleven percent going to businesses.

Scott says in the end creating jobs will benefit everyone.

“You’ve seen as we’ve cut taxes, our revenues have grown. Home prices have gone up. People have jobs. We have over a million jobs.”

Four floors up in the state Capitol lawmakers put the initial budget to a vote, but only after criticism that increases in education…more than four hundred million this year are coming from higher property taxes known as the required local effort or RLE. Senate President Andy Gardiner says everything is on the table.

“I think the RLE is certainly in play. I thinks it’s an open discussion. It is a broad based tax cut” gardiner told reporters,

The the Senates powerful chairman of Education Appropriations, Don gaetz (R-Niceville) says 254 million ought to cut from the required local effort.

“That has a positive impact , I guess, on at least eleven million Floridians who pay property taxes” says Gaetz.

As for the bean bag pitching, Scott did about as well as the elements of his tax cut pitch is doing. He came close a bunch of times but hitting the mark just once.

And if you are wondering what tossing bean bags has to do with tax cuts, the game is made in Florida and the Governor is seeking a permeant cut  for equipment used in manufacturing.

Two bus loads of casino workers from Tampa spent the day lobbying lawmakers. They are asking the new gambling deal between the Seminole tribe and the state get signed sooner than late. Black Jack dealer Kandi Karbin says the lack of a deal is causing many to worry.

“Our jobs are at stake. Our livelihood is at stake. We’re here to support the compact be signed once again.”

Q:”And if it isn’t?”

A:”If it isn’t the dynamic would be devastating to thousands of families. The compact will provide nearly 20 thousand jobs directly. and indirectly to the people of Florida” says Karbin.

The Senate says it will roll out legislation next week and hold at least one hearing on the gambling deal.

A day after the Florida Supreme Court stayed a pending execution over uncertainties in the constitutionality of the states death penalty, The US Supreme Court ruled the state’s sentencing scheme of allowing a seven five vote to send someone to death was unconstitutional. Senate President Andy Gardiner says his chamber is planning on getting something done quickly.,

“There is strong believe on unanimous. What I’ve encouraged Sen. Evers, Senator Bradley, and Senator Simmons is a part of this too; we can have that dialog, but its important we resolve this matter this yea and not leave anything to question where we are.”

Senators are also considering allowing a 9-3 or 10-2 jury vote. Only Alabama has less than a unanimous jury requirement among death penalty states. It requires a 10-2 vote for death.