Civic and faith leaders gather to denounce ‘anti-protest’ bill, HB1, ahead of judiciary committee hearing

A group of mostly Black civic and faith leaders gathered in Tallahassee’s Captiol Courtyard Wednesday to denounce the controversial HB1 bill. Many fear the Republican-backed bill being fast-tracked through the legislative process would silence minority voices while attacking home rule and the First Amendment. LISTEN: State Representative Kevin Chambliss, a Democrat who represents parts of… Read more »

Florida House Dems introduce wide-ranging COVID relief bill offering alternative to GOP proposals

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Thursday, Democrats in the State House Thursday introduced a wide-ranging COVID-19 bill that offers alternatives to some Republican proposals. The sweeping bill offers protection from evictions, protects some businesses from COVID-related suits, looks to provide more transparency in data reporting and much more. LISTEN: At 69-pages, representatives… Read more »

Florida civic groups ask lawmakers in the Sunshine State to shed light on legislative process

A group of more than 30 civic organizations in Florida is calling on lawmakers in the Sunshine State to shed some light on the legislative process. Representatives from the groups held a Zoom conference Thursday. They’re asking for citizens to have meaningful participation in the process even with COVID-19 precautions in place. LISTEN: Olivia Babis… Read more »

Confederate memorial

Hillsborough legislators talk protest bill, budget priorities with Tiger Bay

Members of Hillsborough County’s legislative delegation seem to agree on a lot when it comes to what to tackle in Tallahassee this year, but not always on how to execute it. Republican and Democratic senators and house representatives met with Tampa’s Tiger Bay today and few priorities were as divisive as the HB1 protest bill…. Read more »

Radioactivity Thursday: GOP controlled Senate moves to limit Florida’s mail-in voting

February 18, 2021 Good morning, welcome to Radioactivity.  I’m Rob Lorei. There is a bill in Tallahassee (SB 90) that would make it harder to vote by mail – if it passes. As the Tampa Bay Times reported this morning: “Florida Senate Republicans agreed Tuesday that Florida’s vote-by-mail process (which) worked smoothly in the last… Read more »

Radioactivity Tuesday: Government watchdog calls for the resignations of FL GOP lawmakers who voted to overturn Electoral College results

January 12, 2021 Good morning, welcome to WMNF’s Radioactivity, I’m Rob Lorei. The Florida chapter of a national non-profit dedicated to open and honest government is calling for most of Florida’s Republican members of Congress to resign after voting last week to overturn the results of the presidential election. Our guest today is Common Cause… Read more »

Florida lawmakers call for reform after DOJ report finds ‘systemic’ sexual abuse in women’s prison

Florida lawmakers are calling for sweeping reforms after a Department of Justice investigation alleged a culture of “systemic” sexual abuse and cover-ups at a women’s prison in Ocala. State legislators last week held a Zoom call with former inmates of Lowell Correctional Institution to talk about how to move forward. LISTEN: Laurette Philipsen expected to… Read more »

Go progressive like Georgia or keep center? Florida Dems choose new leader Saturday

UPDATE, On Friday 8 January Wes Hodge dropped out and endorsed Cynthia Chestnut. After being trounced by Republicans in recent elections, the Florida Democratic Party will vote to choose its new leader Saturday. Candidates met in a virtual forum Thursday, presenting the party with a challenge – continue a centrist path or follow the progressive… Read more »

Renatha Francis appointed to the Florida Supreme Court Justice

Florida Supreme Court gives DeSantis until Wednesday to answer why he shouldn’t replace Renatha Francis

Governor Ron DeSantis exceeded his authority when he appointed an ineligible person to the Florida Supreme Court. That was the court’s ruling last month regarding incoming Justice Renatha Francis, who has not been a member of the Florida Bar for ten years. But the court did not invalidate her appointment. On Tuesday the State Supreme… Read more »

Renatha Francis appointed to the Florida Supreme Court Justice

Florida Supreme Court: Gov. DeSantis’ appointment of Renatha Francis to high court “did exceed his authority”

On Thursday the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Governor Ron DeSantis exceeded his authority when he appointed a judge to a vacancy on state’s highest court. It’s because Judge Renatha Francis had not been a member of the Florida Bar for at least 10 years. That’s a requirement of being a Florida Supreme Court Justice…. Read more »

Representatives from Gudedas and Ray Williams funeral homes

Funeral march for COVID-19 deaths

The national death toll related to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States is just surpassing 100,000, and several progressive activist organizations are pushing the state to provide more financial relief instead of reopening too soon. Three hearses were flanked by a about dozen other cars guiding a funeral procession through Tampa. They attached body… Read more »

German Consul to Florida discusses tourism business investment, the rise of the far-right and immigration

Radioactivity with Rob Lorei Listen Here: Or follow this link and select 02/19/20 from the drop down menu: Radioactivity: Interviews & Live Call-In Intro: Our guest today will be speaking  afternoon at the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs (http://www.stpetersburgconferenceonworldaffairs.com) . He’s Andreas Siegel Germany’s Consul General in Florida. We sat down for this interview… Read more »

What has the Florida Legislature done in the last 2 days?

(Originally published 4/26/2019) A lot. Florida’s legislature has 60 days (though special sessions can be, and are often, called) to make lots of laws. In odd numbered years, like 2019, the session begins the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. This year our legislature is in session from March 5, 2019, through May… Read more »

State Union Leader Says More Than 17,000 State Workers Make So Little Money They Are Eligible for Public Assistance; Governor DeSantis says No to State Worker Pay Raise Next Year

Radioactivity with Rob Lorei Listen Here: Or follow this link and select 11/20/19 from the drop down menu: Radioactivity: Interviews & Live Call-In Intro: Good morning, welcome to Radioactivity. President Trump’s ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland is testifying right now in front of the House Intelligence Committee as that committee considers impeachment. Sondland… Read more »

Is Gov. DeSantis Running a Pay to Play Political Committee?

Radioactivity with Rob Lorei Listen Here: Select 09/18/19 from the drop down menu Radioactivity: Interviews & Live Call-In Intro: Good morning, welcome to WMNF’s Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. Coming up—Our new Governor has promised to “drain the swamp” in Tallahassee—but the political editor at the Tampa Bay Times has uncovered what looks like a pay-to-play… Read more »

Ron DeSantis Florida

Cabinet meeting in Israel “could be a violation” of Florida’s Sunshine Laws

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is leading a huge delegation to Israel beginning Saturday that includes a state Cabinet meeting inside the controversial new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. But is that meeting a violation of Florida’s open-meeting laws, known as “government in the Sunshine” laws? WMNF asked Barbara Peterson. She’s president of the First Amendment Foundation,… Read more »