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Governor asked to suspend testing after glitches

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Several school districts on Tuesday suspended Florida’s new standardized tests for a second day, despite assurances that the problems had been fixed. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart asked districts early in the morning to resume using the online portal that middle-school and high-school students must use in order to log on and take the state’s annual standardized tests. Testing had been suspended a day earlier because of technological problems. Stewart blamed problems on “software issues” and told school superintendents the company…

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Day 1 with Andy Gardiner: Medicaid, greyhounds, water and a ‘long way to go’

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Senate President Andy Gardiner spoke with reporters for about 10 minutes Tuesday after the Senate adjourned its first session of the 2015 legislative session. The discussion highlighted the differences separating the House and Senate as they begin writing a state budget and addressing other priorities. While the Senate is focused on prison reform, providing access to health care for the uninsured and new regulations for greyhound racing, the House priorities include a gambling initiative, water policy and changes to the…

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Legislators say now is the time to improve state’s mental health and substance abuse services

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A bipartisan group of House and Senate members on Tuesday announced their support of a 21-page bill that would better fund community mental health services and, among other things, establish a data collection system populated with information about individuals receiving publicly funded substance abuse and mental health disorders. In kicking off the press conference on HB 1005, veteran state Sen. Nancy Detert predicted that the state would pass legislation this year increasing funding for mental health and substance abuse services.…

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Most Florida legislators say yes to free or deeply discounted health, dental benefits

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While they are hesitant to implement Obamacare provisions and expand access to health care, Florida legislators overwhelmingly tap into the benefits made available to them either for free or deeply discounted rates. Thirty-six of Florida’s 40 state senators are enrolled in the state health insurance plan and 39 of them enroll in the dental plan, which is free, information from the Office of Legislative Services shows. In the House of Representatives, 106 of the members enroll in the state group…

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Florida restaurant and hotel lobby blasts Dana Young’s new gaming bill

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The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association — a group with outsized importance in our state’s tourism-centric economy — issued a statement Tuesday excoriating the proposal released yesterday by House Majority Leader Dana Young. “We will continue to fight this legislation, along with any other measure that seeks to expand gambling under the false pretense that it will bring additional jobs, attract more tourists, and increase Florida’s tax base,” said FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover. “Florida currently enjoys record number of tourists,…

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Activists tell Hillsborough County School Board that changes need to be made regarding the criminalization of black youth

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Last fall, Chamberlain High School student Brittany Overstreet suffered a concussion and broken jaw after a violent incident with a school resource officer (SRO) — an incident that still reverberates with young activists who say that black teenagers are being pushed into the “school-to-prison pipeline.” The incident involving Overstreet remains in dispute, with reports saying that three students approached Chamberlain’s assistant principal last September and alleged that Overstreet threatened to spray them with mace or pepper spray. An  altercation then ensued when the…

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‘4th Floor Files’ talks to Joe Mobley about good mullet, growlers and Tally in the big leagues

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The newest chapter of the “4th Floor Files” features lobbyist Joe Mobley, principal at The Fiorentino Group based out of Jacksonville and Tallahassee. Mobley previously served as assistant vice president of legislative affairs at Fidelity National Financial, as well as an aide to former state Rep. and former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carrol. Significant other? Children? Grand kids? Wife Kristina Mobley, and three children. Girls, 9 and 7, and a boy, 4. In 25 words or less, explain what you do.…

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