On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Florida’s Republican leaders press forward with plans to ban abortions in the Sunshine State after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending nationwide protections on abortions. Gomes talks with Stephanie Fraim, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. She says it’s hypocritical for Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto birth control funding while limiting access to abortion services. She warns that most Republican leaders in Florida are set on ensuring that pregnancy is the only option.  ..read more

On Trimmel Gomes' latest episode of The Rotunda, lawmakers are back in Tallahassee to discuss and reform the state's property insurance market. Lawmakers like Sen. Jeff Brandes said the crisis has been brewing for too long. Governor Ron DeSantis scores another point in the legal saga over his controversial congressional redistricting map. A Florida appeals court is allowing it to take effect for now. Also, Doug Kelly of the American Edge Project calls on state leaders to be alert to Russia and China's increased cyberattacks and focus resources on American innovators.  ..read more

On this edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes, lawmakers are back in Tallahassee for a four-day session to pass new congressional maps as part of the redistricting process. Ellen Freidin, CEO and general counsel of Fair Districts Now, who led the campaign in 2010 to pass a constitutional amendment to prevent politicians from doing what the governor is doing now, shares her concerns about Gov. DeSantis' push to dismantle black representation. Also, pro-choice advocates are concerned about what they see as a continual erosion of women's rights in Florida but say they're also enc ..read more

On this edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes, Florida's 2022 legislative is coming to a close. The record-setting $112 billion state spending plan is expected to be voted on Monday. Gomes zeroes in on educators concerned about some of the bills restricting speech, including Pranati "Pranoo" Kumar, founder of Rohi's Readery, social justice-focused children's book store, and learning center. Also, Dr. Candice Jones, a pediatrician in Orlando, shares her thoughts about Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's announcement against vaccinating healthy children.  ..read more

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes looks at how L-G-B-T-Q advocates are turning their focus to encouraging words for young people who are gay, following the passage of Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill. Gomes talks with State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Winter Park. Plus, a bipartisan bill vetoed by Governor DeSantis last year has passed both chambers. Christian Minor with the Florida Juvenile Justice Association explains how the measure could provide more leeway for juveniles to expunge or wipe clean their arrest records ..read more

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes follows the passage of the 15-week abortion ban, which now heads to the governor. The Florida Senate also passes a bill to keep ‘unlawful’ migrants from coming to the state.    Florida’s Chief Information Officer, Jamie Grant, talks with Gomes about how the state is preparing for any cybersecurity threats, including increased escalation by Russia.  ..read more

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes wraps up a busy week in the Florida Legislature where lawmakers advanced the controversial 15-week abortion bill, poised to become law. Florida’s election officials tell Gomes the state’s elections system is already at its best, and they are concerned about proposed changes that could disenfranchise voters. Gomes talks with Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley.    And Florida’s tourism industry is booming, according to Visit Florida’s CEO Dana Young.  ..read more

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes features President Biden’s first State of the Union speech Tuesday as he addresses the Ukraine crisis, pledging that the US will close off its air space to Russian flights.    Mitch McConnell and Senate Republican leaders are warning Sen. Rick Scott that his agenda for the GOP is problematic.    Gomes also shares highlights of ongoing budget negotiations in the Florida Legislature.  ..read more

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes tracks how some of Florida’s leaders are speaking out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Gomes also covers passionate debate on the House floor as lawmakers approve bills limiting discussions on race and advance the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.  New episodes of The Rotunda Podcast are available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Florida’s 2022 Legislative Session.  ..read more

The Monday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes zeroes in on Florida’s budget as newly proposed House and Senate budgets will get tweaked this week before each chamber votes on the spending plans. The Senate proposal is $108.6 billion, while the House proposal is nearly $105.3 billion.  Gomes also continues his conversation with Republican Representative Anthony Sabatini. He considers himself the most pro-Trump member of the Florida Legislature, as he clashes with members of his party.   ..read more