The Florida Legislature is in session through May 2. The key issues yesterday and what's coming up:
TOPIC: BUDGET
WHAT HAPPENED: House gave final passage of its $544 million cutting plan to the current year budget, beating back Democrat objections and amendments.
WHAT'S NEXT: Senate must pass its version, then negotiations before passage early next week.
TOPIC: PRIMARIES
WHAT HAPPENED: Gov. Charlie Crist joined Michigan's Democratic government to call on both national parties to seat their states' presidential nominating delegations, stripped entirely or in half for voting earlier than party rules allowed.
WHAT'S NEXT: Crist's GOP is more likely to fold first with a presumptive nominee now in Arizona Sen. John McCain.
TOPIC: MARIJUANA
WHAT HAPPENED: "If you grow, you go" ... to prison, that is. A House council approved Rep. Nick Thompson's bill (HB 173) to lower the criteria for qualifying as an indoor marijuana grow house and increase the penalties if convicted.
WHAT'S NEXT: A Senate version is moving through that chamber.
TOPIC: WETLANDS
WHAT HAPPENED: A House committee moved forward a bill (HB 147) that would ease permitting requirements and shorten times for decisions on wetlands and stormwater regulations. Proponents say it will help economic development. Opponents say it will lead to less review of undesirable development.
WHAT'S NEXT: A compromise moved the bill Wednesday, more is likely as it moves through the process.
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