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Florida Matters: 2017 Legislative Preview

William March

The azaleas are in bloom -- that means the legislative session in Tallahassee is just around the corner. What’s likely to happen, and how will it affect you?

This week on Florida Matters we’re exploring some proposals lawmakers are considering this session, and talking about the politics behind it all.

We take an in-depth look at the Florida Senate’s plan to bring sweeping changes to the state’s higher education system, known as the “Florida Excellence in Higher Education” Act.

We consider the potential effects of a bill that would repeal the state’s “Certificate of Need” law, which requires communities to get permission from regulators before they can open a new hospital or nursing home.

We learn about a bill that would set standards for how to swiftly notify the public about pollution, an issue that’s familiar to the Tampa Bay Area.

Our guest is William “Windy” March, political columnist for the Tampa Bay Times. We hear what he thinks are some of the major issues this year which include, among others, abortion rights, gun laws and the state budget.

Tune in to WUSF 89.7 Tuesday March 7 for our live coverage of Governor Rick Scott’s State of the State address. It’s expected to start at 11 a.m.

Starting March 13, Florida Public Radio stations will be highlighting key issues for the legislative session with stories and Facebook Live streams each day of the week.

I cover health care for WUSF and the statewide journalism collaborative Health News Florida. I’m passionate about highlighting community efforts to improve the quality of care in our state and make it more accessible to all Floridians. I’m also committed to holding those in power accountable when they fail to prioritize the health needs of the people they serve.
Robin Sussingham was Senior Editor at WUSF until September 2020.
Newspapers were my first love, but public radio stole my heart from the moment I tuned in during college.
As a reporter, my goal is to tell a story that moves you in some way. To me, the best way to do that begins with listening. Talking to people about their lives and the issues they care about is my favorite part of the job.
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