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Darren Soto “troubled” by Broward program shutdown

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State Sen. Darren Soto is adding his name to the growing list of state lawmakers objecting to the closing of a prisoner re-entry program in Broward County. Soto, an Orlando Democrat, wrote Friday to Corrections Secretary Julie Jones to say he was “troubled by this decision” because he is a “strong proponent of these types of facilities and programs.” “I believe that our best chance to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety is to properly rehabilitate and prepare inmates for when they are released…

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Dana Young dubious about prisoner program shutdown

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A top House Republican now is questioning the shutdown of a South Florida prisoner re-entry program. Dana Young, the leader of the Florida House of Representatives’ controlling Republican caucus, wrote a letter to Corrections Secretary Julie Jones on Wednesday. The letter, released to reporters on Thursday, comes on the tails of the department’s decision to discontinue a Broward County partnership with the Orlando-based Bridges of America nonprofit. The organization provided “transitional counseling” and drug treatment in Lauderdale Lakes to prisoners on work release who needed help…

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Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: John Hinchee has stepped down as legislative assistant for Longwood Republican Rep. Scott Plakon. On: Jervonte Edmonds will be Plakon’s new assistant. Off: Bryan Roberts is no longer district secretary for Opa Locka Democratic Rep. Cynthia Stafford. On: Dalie Sejour will be Stafford’s new secretary. Off: Kamia Brown has stepped down as legislative assistant for Orlando Democratic…

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House begins discussion on medical marijuana bill

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The Florida House on Wednesday began considering a bill that would expand medical marijuana in Florida. The House began discussing the measure (HB 307), and Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Fort Walton Beach Republican sponsoring the bill, fielded questions from lawmakers on the proposal. The bill is expected to receive a vote Thursday. The bill expands the 2015 Right to Try Act to include medical cannabis. The 2015 law allows terminally ill patients to try experimental treatments that have passed the…

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Expanded medical marijuana regime bill passes House panel

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A bill to allow dying patients to use medical marijuana as a palliative treatment passed its first hurdle in the House Tuesday morning. The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved House Bill  307 by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Democratic prime co-sponsor Rep. Katie Edwards by a vote of 9-4. Panel chair Rep. Carlos Trujillo was among the four Republicans voting ‘No.’ The bill amends a state law passed in 2014 that enables terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs that have begun the Federal Food & Drug…

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House panel pulls trigger on open carry

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A House panel Tuesday morning advanced a bill to allow concealed weapons licensees to carry their guns openly in Florida. Or as sponsor state Rep. Matt Gaetz put it, restore a right “granted not by government, but by God.” Despite an admonishment from Chairman Carlos Trujillo to keep questions to the text of the bill itself and avoid “philosophical” discussion, the Federalist Papers, constitutional jurisprudence, and the very notion of civilization all shot through an hour-long debate on the measure, which saw testimony from…

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Florida legislators push bills tied to their private jobs

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During the recently-concluded legislative session, Senate President Andy Gardiner constantly warned about the threat to the state’s hospitals if they were to lose more than $1 billion that now comes from the federal government. There’s a good reason Gardiner understands hospitals: he works for one. Gardiner’s employment is legal, but it highlights a common practice in the Florida Legislature. Many legislators have places where their professional lives and legislative work overlap. The Florida Legislature is a “part-time” job that pays…

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