Spending, safety, social issues to be tackled during Florida legislative session

Jacksonville, FL — (Associated Press) - The Florida Legislature is convening in Tallahassee for its annual 60-day lawmaking session with new presiding officers, a new governor and only one requirement: pass a state budget to fund the government.

Legislators gather Tuesday to open the session but have already been meeting in committees for weeks on issues ranging from smokeable medical marijuana to enhanced environmental protections to broadened vouchers for students to attend private schools at taxpayer expense.

New Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has laid out an ambitious agenda including those issues plus many more. House Speaker Jose Oliva and Senate President Bill Galvano, both Republicans, envision a collaborative relationship between their two chambers and the governor.

The must-pass budget begins with a $91.3 billion blueprint proposed by DeSantis.

One issue the legislative leaders agree on is expanding the state's school voucher programs, which allow some students to attend private schools at taxpayer expense. And the House and Senate are already moving quickly on a demand by DeSantis to repeal a ban on smokable medical marijuana. DeSantis says the ban doesn't comply with the will of voters who approved medical marijuana in 2016. He wants a repeal bill by mid-March. The House and Senate are expected to pass different versions of the ban the first week in session and then work out differences to meet DeSantis' deadline.

While Republicans have controlled the governor's office and Legislature since 1999, even Democrats are a bit more optimistic this session.

"The tone of the political dialogue in Tallahassee starts at the top. On certain issues, I know I'm going to have alignment with Governor DeSantis because I've already seen it," said Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, pointing at DeSantis' push to make medical marijuana more accessible. "When it comes to other issues, let's say like immigration, an ugly tone has already been set."

Smith also praised DeSantis for taking more aggressive positions on environmental issues and sea level rise. DeSantis is asking for a scientific approach to address sea level rise, while Scott ignored the issue by saying he isn't a scientist.

"When you go from having a governor who forbade state employees from saying the words 'climate change' to someone who's a little bit more thoughtful on finding solutions, there was nowhere to go but up from Rick Scott," Smith said.

Democrats will still fight Republicans on issues like school vouchers and restricting legal abortions, but Smith is hopeful there're areas where both sides can agree.

"Not everything needs to be a conflict. If there's synergy, then let's work together," he said.

Unexpected events in 2018 will shape the Legislature's agenda, including revisions to the school safety bill to include recommendations from commission that investigated the Parkland shootings. One of the most contentious is expanding a law that allows some teachers to carry guns in schools if they go through training with their local sheriff's department and pass background and psychological tests. The bill would allow all teachers to be eligible for the program. Current law only makes teachers with roles outside the classroom eligible, such as a teacher who is also an athletic coach.

Hurricane Michael's devastating path from Mexico Beach to the Georgia border has prompted lawmakers to file dozens of bills to help schools and local governments recover from the storm. Among them is legislation to help homeowners make insurance claims after a hurricane.

Additionally, Florida had an unprecedented three statewide recounts in 2018, prompting a slew of bills such as one requiring a paper printout after a voter casts a ballot.