MidPoint

Gov. DeSantis signed into law a measure to limit the reach of Civilian Review Boards that seek greater transparency and accountability for police misconduct. Does the law really do that, or is it moot as to many FL CRB's that do not investigate, but merely audit police internal affairs investigations? And what does the new law requiring citizens to remain 25 feet away from a 1st responder mean? Can citizens still videotape police on the street without fear of arrest? Listen to my guests Attorney James Shaw, former Chair of the FL ACLU Legal Panel and Dr. Carolyn Hepburn-Collins, a member of the Tampa CRB discuss these new laws and their effects.

St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Lizette Hanewicz joins MidPoint guest host Gary Gibbons to discuss the pros & cons of the new proposed Tampa Bay Rays Stadium and the proposed redevelopment plans for Tropicana Field and the former Gas Plant site in St. Petersburg.

Kimberley Overman of the Housing Council of Tampa Bay and Cicely Hodges, Housing Analyst for the Florida Policy Institute are our guests to discuss the new Florida homeless laws, including establishing municipal homeless camps and the prohibition on sleeping in public spaces.

Rogue Republican former FL Sen. Jeff Brandes, founder of The Florida Policy Project, joined us on MidPoint for a wide-ranging discussion on the recent FL legislative session, laws passed and missed opportunities, along with his current project, the Florida Policy Project, which he founded to provide policy suggestions based on data and best practices to solve some of Florida's most difficult problems.

Experts review the legal and medical status of reproductive rights & technologies today. Surrogacy lawyer Roia Barrios and reproductive endocrinologist & obgyn fertility specialist Dr. Carolina Sueldo discuss the Alabama IVF law, "fetal personhood," the Florida Abortion Ballot measure, & the pending Florida 6-week abortion ban.

Out, queer Democratic Rep. Michele Rayner joined Republican House Speaker Paul Renner to support a ban on social media access for kids under 16 years old. Now, she and her peers, like Tsi Day Smyth of Voices of SW Florida, a Black & queer-led advocacy group dedicated to human rights and reproductive freedom, are at odds.

We continue our review of 2024 legislative proposals with today's focus on efforts at criminalizing "sleeping in public" and establishing homeless tent camps around the state, and the problems of private equity firms buying up so many starter homes in foreclosure and charging exorbitant rents.

FL House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell & newly elected Democratic Rep. Tom Keen join MidPoint to discuss state politics and elections.