Episodes

  • Yellow Fever to COVID: Florida's Democrats Gave the State Power Over Public Health, Republicans Ran With It

    Yellow Fever to COVID: Florida's Democrats Gave the State Power Over Public Health, Republicans Ran With It
    May 4 2022
    For a long time, big decisions that affected the health of Floridians came from county-run health departments. Aiming for more equity, Democrats funneled that power to the state, and somewhere along the way, Republicans embraced big government.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Taking Care of Businesses: Lower Profits Could Mean Changing Local Laws

    Taking Care of Businesses: Lower Profits Could Mean Changing Local Laws
    Feb 17 2022
    Two proposed state laws would allow businesses to sue and block local rules that hurt their profits. Local government officials say that's interfering with what people want in their own neighborhoods — and putting local taxpayers on the hook for damages.
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Net zero with zero plans: Florida’s limits on limiting gas emissions

    Net zero with zero plans: Florida’s limits on limiting gas emissions
    Dec 10 2021
    With Florida on the frontlines of sea level rise and the impacts of climate change, a lot of local governments are stepping up and trying to reduce carbon emissions on their own. But what happens when the state government has other ideas?
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • As Florida Minimum Wage Increases, A Potential Lesson For State Government

    As Florida Minimum Wage Increases, A Potential Lesson For State Government
    Sep 27 2021
    The coming increase in Florida's minimum wage is a story of unintended consequences, or perhaps, the story of political backlash that should be expected when the state passes laws that overly restrict local governments from making their own decisions.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • The Mask ‘Revolt’ In Florida Schools

    The Mask ‘Revolt’ In Florida Schools
    Sep 3 2021
    To mask or not to mask in Florida's public schools? Who gets to decide that is shaping up to be the biggest political battle in Florida this year. It's also the latest fight between state leaders and local school officials.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • How Florida put the silencer on changing gun laws

    How Florida put the silencer on changing gun laws
    Aug 13 2021
    Local officials don't have any say in changing gun laws in Florida. Why? The history goes back to the 1980s and involves pro-gun advocates, hefty fines from the state and a “chilling effect” that limits local control.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • How To Consolidate Power: From Venezuela To Florida

    How To Consolidate Power: From Venezuela To Florida
    May 12 2021
    For politicians who want centralized power, local governments can be an obstacle. In Venezuela, state and city governments run by the opposition have faced unrelenting attacks and have had their power stripped away. Now, many fear Florida is heading down a similar path – with a new law that punishes protesters and limits the power of local officials to rethink police funding.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • The Fireworks Shop Next Door

    The Fireworks Shop Next Door
    May 12 2021
    More Floridians will soon be able to open businesses from inside their homes. Is that a good thing?
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins