In the 18th episode of "Update 850," Caleb Hawkes provides a concise update on Florida's Capitol City. The episode covers Governor DeSantis appointing former Representative Juan Fernandez-Barquin as the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County, leading to a special election in house district 118. Governor DeSantis also signed the 2023/2024 General Appropriations Act, outlining a $116.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, along with exercising his line-item veto authority to strike $511 million in spending.

The podcast highlights the recognition received by Florida's Specialty Hospitals for Children, with their specialty programs ranking among the nation's best in the U.S. News & World Report's "Best Children's Hospitals" survey. Additionally, it touches upon the need for more foster parents in Florida, particularly in the central region, as Heartland for Children raises awareness about this pressing issue. Stay informed with "Update 850" as Caleb Hawkes keeps you up to date on Florida's political landscape and noteworthy developments impacting the state.

This episode is sponsored by the Florida Coalition for Children's 2023 annual conference. Join us from July 16th to 18th in Bonita Springs, Florida, for a remarkable event featuring influential speakers and leaders in the child welfare community. Visit flchildren.org to register.

In the seventeenth episode of UPDATE 850, we discuss the intense Presidential Preference Primary race in Florida and the ongoing efforts to restructure the Democratic party. Join us to stay informed about the latest developments in Florida politics.

This episode is sponsored by the Florida Coalition for Children's 2023 annual conference. Join us from July 16th to 18th in Bonita Springs, Florida, for a remarkable event featuring influential speakers and leaders in the child welfare community. Visit flchildren.org to register.

We discuss Governor DeSantis' early campaign experiences, the budget watch in Tallahassee, and significant events like the Governor's executive order and Operation Lone Star. We also touch on challenges to Senator Rick Scott's seat, the Florida E-Verify requirement, upcoming local elections, and the anticipated growth of the 2024 legislative class.

Stay tuned for more informative episodes of UPDATE 850.

Welcome back to the sixteenth episode of UPDATE 850! In this episode, we dive into the recent activities of Governor Ron DeSantis. The Governor has been busy signing legislation, facing questions about his 2024 plans, and overseeing important decisions. We'll discuss the highlights of the week, including the signing of Curtis' Law to support families affected by crime, investments in land conservation, and the Governor's long-awaited announcement of his intention to run for President. We also touch upon other notable developments, such as the tax relief plan and the bipartisan transition team formed by Mayor-elect Donna Deegan of Jacksonville. Join us as we explore the latest news from the Capitol City and gain insights into Florida's political landscape.

Would you like to do more than just listen to UPDATE 850? Become a proud sponsor and engage with our audience. For sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to us at communications@flchildren.org. We extend our gratitude to the Florida Coalition for Children's 2023 annual conference, our sponsor for this episode. The conference, happening from July 16th to 18th in Bonita Springs, Florida, will feature esteemed speakers and leaders from the child welfare community, fostering collaboration and raising awareness about crucial work in child welfare. Register now to join us on this meaningful journey "Together Towards Tomorrow!"

In the fifteenth episode of Update 850, we delve into the aftermath of Florida's legislative session and explore the latest political developments in the sunshine state. From the remodeling of the Capitol to the anticipation of the governor's future plans, we keep you informed. Governor DeSantis signs crucial legislation, the battle between Disney and the governor continues, and education reforms take center stage. We also cover the launch of a program to combat opioid overdoses and updates on law enforcement recruitment. Join us as we bring you the latest news and insights from Florida's Capitol City. Thank you for your continued support, and stay informed with us every week.

Would you like to do more than just listen to Update 850? Become a proud sponsor and support our FCC podcasts. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to us at Communications@flchildren.org.

In this episode of "Update 850", we take a look at the final week of the legislative session in Florida's Capitol City. The week saw the quick finalization of the fiscal year budget, as well as the confirmation of 16 agency heads by the Florida Senate. The episode includes a breakdown of the passing legislation and policy negotiations that took place in the House and Senate from Monday to Thursday. Finally, we discuss the expected conclusion of the legislative session with the passing of the final budget and the possibility of political surprises.

We extend our warm wishes for a wonderful Cinco de Mayo and a happy end of the 2023 legislative session. Going forward, we will be expanding our coverage to offer more in-depth analysis of the legislation that was recently passed, as well as political developments affecting our state. Additionally, we will continue to bring you news and information on issues that directly impact the lives of children and families here in Florida.

In this episode of "Update 850," we cover the start of the 2023-2024 legislative budget conference in Florida, where House and Senate members begin negotiations on the budget. They have agreed to spend $45.2 billion of the state’s general revenue across six state agencies. Meanwhile, various committees concluded their work for the legislative session, and advocates for pending legislation are working on last-ditch efforts to move forward.

We also discuss the Lauren’s Kids advocacy walk, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, and House Democrats' weekly press conference. The episode concludes with an overview of the budget conference committees that met during the week.

In this episode of Update 850, we dive into Florida's Capitol City to bring you the highlights of the 7th week of the State's legislative budget building. Although the week held great promise to start the final phase of building the State's 2023-2024 legislative budget, the expected start was delayed until the next week. However, various committees and floor sessions were conducted throughout the week, with some agendas containing more than 20 bills, as the House and Senate worked to get legislation through the last steps of the process and ready for or moved off the floor. We cover various bills, including those related to mental health policies, education for children, and the Children's Medical Services Program. Tune in to Update 850 Episode 12 to get a roundup of the week's events in Florida's Capitol City.

In the 11th episode of the Update 850, we discuss the latest developments in Florida's legislative process. In week 6, the focus was on keeping bills moving through committees and onto the floor, as well as preparing the budget for the upcoming 2023-2024 fiscal year. The episode covers the meetings of various committees on Monday, including the House Health and Human Services Committee, which considered bills on background screenings, Medicaid for individuals with developmental disabilities, education for children in out-of-home care, and the transition of Child Protection Investigations. The Senate Rules Committee met on Tuesday to discuss legislation related to Individual Education Plans and Direct Support Organizations for the Department of Children and Families. The House held several committee meetings but did not consider any significant legislation related to children and families. The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee met on Wednesday to discuss bills related to child and adult protective services, workforce education and internship programs, mental health, and stopping sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee also met and discussed the Agency for Persons with Disabilities bill package and the Step in Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program, among other legislation. Additionally, the episode covers the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs' Legislative Day of Advocacy, free CPR classes offered for legislators and staff, and Gator Day at the Capitol.