Florida Matters: Best of Florida Stories Part 1 (May 22, 2009)

On Television

Best of Florida Stories Part 1

What does a paintbrush, a park and a bicycle all have in common? Find out this week on Florida Matters as co-host Larry Elliston brings us a collection of Florida Stories that will inspire you to look at things in a new way.

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On the Radio

Legislative Session Analysis

Lawmakers used federal stimulus money and a variety of increased fees to support a $66.5 billion spending plan for next year. But they failed to pass any significant tax reforms. This week, we look back at the annual legislative session and talk about what was done and what was left unfinished.

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Program Schedule

Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7 Friday at 7:00 PM on WSMR 89.1

Radio Guests

Rep. Kevin Ambler(R-Tampa) District 47 state representative

Sen. Charlie Justice(D-St. Petersburg) District 16 state senator

Tom LeeFormer State Senate President and Vice President of Sabal Homes

Audio extras

Listen to Rep. Ambler and Sen. Justice talk about the primary contest between Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio. Both men hope to be the Republican candidate in the race to replace Mel Martinez in the U.S. Senate. (2:11)

Listen to Justice and Ambler discuss the failed proposal to ease restrictions on K-12 class size because of the tight budget. (3:54)

Listen to Ambler describe two ways he thinks lawmakers could reform the tax system, including re-evaluating the state’s pension system. (5:03)

Listen to Ambler describe a conversation he had at the beginning of the session with the Senate finance chair in an attempt to work on better collection of tax revenues owed to the state. (1:50)

Listen to Tom Lee explain why he thinks recovering from this down economy will take years and how consumers' behavior has changed because of the recession. (1:41)

Legislative Session Analysis – WebExtra6.wma
Listen to Lee compare Gov. Charlie Crist's leadership style with that of former Gov. Jeb Bush. (1:01)

Radio: Related Links

Florida Budget Bill sent to Gov. Crist (PDF)

Seminole Indian Gaming Compact - Senate Bill 788

Pari-mutuel Gaming (companion to the Seminole compact) - Senate Bill 836

Increased Cigarette Taxes - Senate Bill 1840

SunRail/CSX Railroad Track Deal (Failed to Pass) House Bill 7009

SunRail/CSX Railroad Track Deal (Failed to Pass) Senate Bill 1212

Florida House of Representatives

Florida Senate

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Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State.