MidPoint: Sen. Jeff Brandes On Florida Politics & Policies

Libertarian Sen. Jeff Brandes, the most interesting Republican in Florida politics, is leaving the Florida Senate due to term limits. He joined us to discuss his passion for policy over politics, and his post-office plans for a policy “Do-Tank,” The Florida Policy Project to focus on criminal justice reform, property insurance, transportation, and housing affordability.

MidPoint: DeSantis’ “Anti-Woke” Investments of State Funds

Gov. DeSantis announced a new “Stop Woke” policy to bar investments of State funds in companies or funds that adopt Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Florida will no longer consider using issues like climate change or racial justice awareness to influence investments by rating a company’s values. Adam Hattersley, candidate for Florida Chief Financial Officer, and State Rep. Andrew Learned discussed this new policy and Florida’s refusal to divest from Russian investments, and how this may impact Florida’s finances and pensioners’ retirements.

MidPoint: Judge sides with business leaders who say DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE” law hurts Florida businesses

Local businesses have sued to have DeSantis’ “Stop Woke” law declared unconstitutional under the First Amendment because it purports to censor what their private businesses can say to their employees, especially in diversity, equity & inclusion training. They claim that it is unconstitutional for a government to insist that they can’t talk to their employees about race or gender issues as they see fit.

MidPoint: Academic Freedom is Under Attack in Florida

Academic freedom is under attack. Over the past 2 years, the DeSantis administration has undertaken a complete reform of education policies constraining academic freedom by passing SB 7044. In the state colleges and universities, professors are concerned. MidPoint interviews the President of the faculty union at USF and a USF History professor to learn why.

Florida Democrats, advocates say rent stabilization and right to counsel could help address the state’s housing and eviction crisis

Florida Democrats are calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to add the state’s housing crisis to the agenda of a special legislative session focused on Florida’s property insurance market that’s scheduled to begin next week.  During a Wednesday press conference, streamed live on Facebook, several Democrats and a community advocate from Miami said measures such as… Read more »

MidPoint: Say Gay, Celebrate Pride

As the state of Florida waits for the “Don’t Say Gay” bill to pass into law with the signature of Gov. DeSantis, the push-back has been loud. On MidPoint this week, host Shelley Reback, along with Tampa Pride program coordinator Debbie Ducko, trans activist Andrew Klumb, and his mother, anti-bullying and LGBTQ children’s advocate Leanne Klumb, invited everyone to Say Gay.

MidPoint’s Legislative Wrap-Up: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

As Florida’s legislative session draws to a close, it is time to take inventory and review what has emerged from the Capitol. From the headline-topping bills to the under-the-radar legislation, MidPoint host Shelley Reback, is joined by Tampa Bay Times’ William March and State Rep. Andrew Learned to review the good, the bad, and the ugly of this year’s session.

Surly Voices: Civil Rights are still our fight

This week on Surly Voices, hosts Liz and Donna tackle the modern movements of civil rights, both within the state of Florida and outside. From the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill to the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the fight for civil rights is far from over. Listen to the full episode here: https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_220310_100600_surly1_460.MP3 Bloody Sunday Anniversary… Read more »

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