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Florida Legislature Debates Parent Trigger, PIP Reform as Session Comes to Close

Senate President Mike Haridopolos
Senate President Mike Haridopolos

You may have been received a call lately asking you to "tell your state Senator" to oppose the parent trigger bill.

If you have, you probably live in the district of a handful of mostly moderate Republicans who are still undecided about the bill.

It's a top priority of former Governor Jeb Bush and conservative leaders in the Legislature. It's become enemy number one to unions.

The bill would allow parents in failing schools to be able to vote for change - such as turning the facility into a charter school.

The vote is expected in the Senate today, and it's still too close to call. It's another test of Senate President Haridopolos and Senate conservatives, who despite the GOP's overwhelming numbers have had trouble getting priorities passed, like prison privatization.

Also, watch carefully what happens with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance bill. Observers mostly agree that fraud is rampant, but the Senate and House (and Governor Scott) can't agree on how to reform the system.

Scott Finn is a former news director at WUSF Public Media, which provides in-depth reporting for Tampa Bay and all of Florida.
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