John Morgan connects school shootings to prescription drugs and vaccines: Orlando trial attorney John Morgan, a once-viable contender for governor, took to social media last week to argue that there is some sort of connection between mass shootings and prescription drugs and even vaccines. Pointing out that he didn't know any kids with autism when he was growing up, Morgan stated in a Facebook post – which has since been deleted, but there's a screengrab on our website – that we should consider that we're turning children into "zombies." He wrote: "Our children are doped up and drugged their whole life. Vaccines galore. Look at all the autism ..."
Eight Orlando-area lawmakers voted down last week's assault weapon ban: Just days after a teenager used an AR-15 to murder 17 people in Parkland, Republicans in the Florida House stood in front of survivors and turned down a motion to even debate whether or not the state should regulate the sale and possession of semiautomatic rifles and extended magazines. The local lawmakers who voted "nay" are: Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs; Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud; Mike Miller, R-Winter Park; Robert "Bobby O" Olszewski, R-Winter Garden; Scott Plakon, R-Longwood; Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford; Rene "Coach P" Plasencia, R-Orlando; and Jennifer Mae Sullivan, R-Mount Dora.
Marco Rubio finally went to a town hall meeting, which is his job, and got roasted: After a year of not facing his constituents at a single town hall meeting over fears of a "hostile atmosphere," the Florida senator finally did his job and listened to someone other than lobbyists or deep-pocketed campaign donors at last week's CNN Town Hall in Sunrise. And yes – every jeer, lecture and boo he received was glorious.
Florida House passes measure to post 'In God We Trust' in all public schools: Thanks (and no thanks) to state Rep. Kim Daniels, a Democrat, the Florida House passed a bill that would require all public schools to post the state motto in a "conspicuous place." Daniels said the bill is intended to bring "light" to our public school system following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14. A companion bill has yet to be taken up by the Florida Senate.
The Florida Legislature wants to share your voter information: Last week, the Florida Senate sweepingly approved a bill that would allow the Department of State to start sharing voter information to make sure voters aren't registered in other states, but only if the effort isn't controlled by the federal government. Sponsored by state Rep. Ross Spano, a Republican – yes, the same Spano who filed a bill to declare pornography a public health crisis in Florida, only to be caught having "liked" a porn clip on Twitter – the measure would also allow Florida to share driver's license information.