This Week In Tallahassee

Rep. David Richardson 

Rep. Jared Moskowitz

Gov. Rick Scott penned an op-ed calling out members of the Florida House for their decision to support a bill (HB 7005) to eliminate Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida and a slew of other economic incentive programs. It came hours after several members said just because they vote in favor of a bill in committee does not mean they “support the bill wholeheartedly.” But the bill may already be changing. Rep. Paul Renner, the bill’s sponsor, filed an amendment that would keep Visit Florida, but slash its budget and provide for additional legislative oversight. Additionally, Rep. Joe Gruters, the only Republican to vote against the bill, filed legislation (HB 889) that calls for more transparency from the economic development and tourism marketing agencies.

Senate Democrats want Scott to declare a public health emergency over the growing opioid epidemic in the state. Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon sent the governor a letter urging him to issue an emergency declaration, noting the number of heroin deaths in Florida nearly 80 percent from 2014 to 2015.

While Florida lawmakers are in the midst of discussingdeath penalty, the court ruled Monday that prosecutors can continue to seek it in ongoing cases. The court ruled the death penalty can be applied as long as there is a unanimous jury recommendation.

Nursing homes are vowing to kill an effort to repeal a requirement that they demonstrate a demand for new beds before they can expand or build new facilities. It’s a top priority for the Florida Health Care Association, which held a roundtable discussion to highlight its legislative priorities ahead of the 2017 Legislative Session.

And finally: A trio of Florida House members are taking a stand against animal cruelty, filing a bill to prevent animals from being sold or adopted by people who have been convicted of animal abuse. The bill was filed by South Florida Democrats Jared Moskowitz and David Richardson, and Spring Hill Republican Blaise Ingoglia.