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Florida Legislature 2005
December 9, 2005
Man gets $2M for 22 years he lost
By CARRIE JOHNSON and STEVE BOUSQUET
Legislators approve compensation for Wilton Dedge, who was sentenced to prison in 1982 after a wrongful conviction.
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May 18, 2005
Mystery: Who left money faucet on?
By LUCY MORGAN
Despite lawmakers' intent, a perpetual funds stream to FSU and an Alzheimer's center is still law. A slip or a sly gambit?
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May 11, 2005
Many hurricane relief measures get blown away
By CARRIE JOHNSON
Despite positives like a tax holiday on storm supplies, state lawmakers didn't pass many of the more sweeping disaster relief proposals.
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May 8, 2005
Dramatic proposal, cautious response
By ALISA ULFERTS
Gov. Bush's Medicaid overhaul became a pilot project, thanks to lawmakers "unwilling to experiment with the poor."
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Legislature doesn't act on minimum wage deal
By Times Staff Writer
Plans called for a compromise on how to regulate the new $6.15 minimum wage, but lawmakers took no action by the end of the session.
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For open-government cause: 'a mixed bag'
By CARRIE JOHNSON
The leadership was friendlier, in a watchdog group's view, but several new exemptions to public records were passed.
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Issue of lobbyist reporting not dead, Lee vows
By LUCY MORGAN
TALLAHASSEE - It looked like a party.
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What passed and what failed
By Times staff writers
Each year, the St. Petersburg Times summarizes the fate of major bills at the end of the regular legislative session. Those that passed, the governor can sign into law, veto or let become law without his signature. To check on a particular bill, call 1-800-342-1827 toll-free during business hours or visit www.eog.state.fl.us and click on Governor's Office, Laws, Executive Orders and Legislative Actions.
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May 7, 2005
Legislature closes with flurry
By STEVE BOUSQUET, ALISA ULFERTS and JONI JAMES
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Legislature resolved a tense standoff on its final day Friday before rushing to pass a $63.1-billion budget, a plan to control growth without new taxes and a modest revamp of Medicaid.
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A civil face on same old legislative finagling
By LUCY MORGAN
It was late afternoon on the final day of a legislative session that has been characterized by the civil conduct of its leaders, yet none of the major issues lawmakers considered for 59 days were resolved.
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2006 ballot to contain initiative question
By CARRIE JOHNSON
TALLAHASSEE - It has been 37 years since the Florida Constitution was rewritten to give citizens the right to add their own amendments to the document.
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Divorced? A love life may imperil the alimony
By CARRIE JOHNSON
The Legislature passes a controversial alimony bill, which one representative calls "antiwoman."
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Tightening the state's seat belt law
By Associated Press
A legislator's battle to let police pull over vehicles for seat belt violations finally pays off. But there's a catch.
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Proposal for parental notice for abortions goes to Bush
By Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE - Parents would be told when their minor daughters seek abortions under a bill the Legislature passed Friday.
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Senate seeks slot machine compromise
By Associated Press
Senators agree on higher taxes, but refuse to ban Las Vegas-style machines, sending the bill back to the House.
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May 6, 2005
Bush rebuffed on class sizes
By CARRIE JOHNSON
The Senate rejects the governor's bids to revamp the class size amendment and expand the school vouchers program.
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Legislature approves more campaign cash
By STEVE BOUSQUET
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Legislature voted Thursday to allow candidates for governor and Cabinet to raise millions more in campaign cash and still get tax money to help pay for their campaigns.
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Senate rejects liability protection
By JONI JAMES
In a surprising defeat, state senators block the business lobby's push to have some shield against negligence claims stemming from criminal activity.
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Bill may allow expansion of Pasco trash incinerator
By Times Staff Writer
State legislators passed a bill Thursday that would make it easier for Pasco County to get the permits to expand the overflowing garbage incinerator in Shady Hills.
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Odds look good for additional judges
By COLLEEN JENKINS
The state Senate approves a bill adding one county judge and at least one jurist to the circuit bench. The House has yet to act.
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Port board bill sent to governor
By STEVE HUETTEL
In a move that pleases shipping-related companies, lawmakers vote to add two members with maritime experience the Tampa Port Authority board.
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Tampa Bay's millions
By Times Staff Writer
Here are major local projects included in a state budget the Legislature plans to approve today. Gov. Jeb Bush has the final say.
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Effect of wetlands bill being debated
By DAN DeWITT and CRAIG PITTMAN
TALLAHASSEE - A bill that critics say could make it easier for developers to destroy wetlands passed the Legislature Thursday.
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House, Senate still on road to growth management deal
By DAN DeWITT
TALLAHASSEE - Negotiations on what could be a historic growth management deal will continue today after a small group of lawmakers failed Thursday evening to reach agreement.
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Lawmakers take control of unversity tuitions
By DAVID KARP
A bill sent to the governor lights the fuse for a court challenge over who will hold the financial power.
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Pilot or driver harassment by laser to point to prison
By Times staff writers, Associated Press
Today is the last day of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.
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May 5, 2005
For a change, put off hurricane preparation
By JONI JAMES
Hold off until June 1-12, and pay no sales tax on certain supplies. Lawmakers approve a back-to-school tax break as well.
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Private prison contracts may get a pass
By JONI JAMES
Amid calls for more oversight, the Legislature is poised to extend three contracts without competition.
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Street racers could lose their wheels
By Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE - Drivers who race on public streets could lose their cars and spend up to a year in jail under a measure before the governor.
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Civil litigation changes clear state Senate floor
By JONI JAMES
The bills grant utilities limited immunity from injuries under broken street lights and limit the type of plaintiffs who can sue asbestos manufacturers.
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Lobbyists fume over portions of new rules
By LUCY MORGAN
Amendments in the House call for lawmakers to report lobbyists' gifts and would limit the felony clause.
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Rate-setting revision riles Medicaid providers
By Times staff writer, Associated Press
Today is Day 59 of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.
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Senate approves growth management plan
By DAN DeWITT
Some tough sticking points on paying for infrastructure remain as efforts begin to forge a compromise with the House.
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Deal reduces need for drug paperwork
By Times Staff Writer
TALLAHASSEE - In a compromise with some of the state's biggest pharmaceutical chains, state lawmakers on Wednesday sent a bill to Gov. Jeb Bush lessening the drug stores' obligation to provide documentation of their drugs' authenticity at retail sites.
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May 4, 2005
Freed by DNA, man waits for state to pay
By ALISA ULFERTS and STEVE BOUSQUET
House leaders put off help for Wilton Dedge, and others.
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Increase in school money has a catch
By STEVE BOUSQUET
School boards must raise local taxes to get more state financing. But that isn't a new tax, some GOP lawmakers say.
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Political 'horse trading' going down to wire in Legislature
By LUCY MORGAN and JONI JAMES
As Friday's legislative close nears, lawmakers continue to cut deals while delaying votes on the major issues.
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A vote's not a vote when nobody believes it
By Times staff writers, Associated Pres
Today is Day 58 of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.
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Changes in wetlands proposal increase ire
By DAN DeWITT
The state senator who is sponsoring the bill says an amendment may not be the best idea, but refuses to remove it.
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Florida Senate slows on tort bills
By Times Staff Writer
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Senate gave tentative approval Tuesday to a pair of bills that would make it harder to sue street-light providers and asbestos manufacturers.
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May 1, 2005
Plan sets legislative fireworks
By LUCY MORGAN
Some cities and counties have stricter rules on fireworks sales than state law. A Senate amendment wouldn't allow them.
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April 30, 2005
Bush's class size plan in peril
By ALISA ULFERTS and CARRIE JOHNSON
Not only do the Democrats decry the proposal, but so do some of the governor's fellow Republicans.
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Lawmaker seeks family-friendlier state flights law
By LUCY MORGAN
TALLAHASSEE - Senate President Tom Lee wants to change state law so immediate families of traveling state officials can legally ride on state planes.
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Legislators' budget talks turn to health care
By Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE - Top lawmakers are focusing on the biggest part of the state's $63-billion budget: health care programs.
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Outlook in Senate dim for failing readers' vouchers
By Associated Press
Today is Day 54 of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.
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April 29, 2005
Patients' rights law narrowed
By LISA GREENE
Supporters are dismayed that legislators have limited the scope of Amendments 7 and 8.
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New foes fighting lawsuit changes
By JONI JAMES
Prosecutors and homebuilders join the fight against laws that would make state civil courts friendlier to businesses.
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Senate set to consider anti-hazing measure
By Associated Press
Today is Day 53 of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.
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Senate writes obituary for runoff elections
By STEVE BOUSQUET
Gov. Bush is expected to sign off on the demise of a century-old tradition.
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April 28, 2005
Slot machines face tough odds in Legislature
By JONI JAMES
The House favors bingo-style gambling, but the Senate wants the lucrative Las Vegas version.
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