Tallahassee Takeover

WLRN News

Local governments in Florida are losing control of their own cities, towns, counties and schools. More and more, they’re losing that power to the state government. Every year, Florida lawmakers gather in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital, to propose and pass new laws. Tallahassee Takeover is a podcast from WLRN News looking at how the state government is increasingly reaching into city halls, classrooms and neighborhoods, from Key West to Pensacola. read less
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Yellow Fever to COVID: Florida's Democrats Gave the State Power Over Public Health, Republicans Ran With It
04-05-2022
Yellow Fever to COVID: Florida's Democrats Gave the State Power Over Public Health, Republicans Ran With It
For a long time, big decisions that affected the health of Floridians came from county-run health departments. Aiming for more equity, Democrats funneled that power to the state, and somewhere along the way, Republicans embraced big government.
Yellow Fever to COVID: Florida's Democrats Gave the State Power Over Public Health, Republicans Ran With It
04-05-2022
Yellow Fever to COVID: Florida's Democrats Gave the State Power Over Public Health, Republicans Ran With It
For a long time, big decisions that affected the health of Floridians came from county-run health departments. Aiming for more equity, Democrats funneled that power to the state, and somewhere along the way, Republicans embraced big government.
Taking Care of Businesses: Lower Profits Could Mean Changing Local Laws
17-02-2022
Taking Care of Businesses: Lower Profits Could Mean Changing Local Laws
Two proposed state laws would allow businesses to sue and block local rules that hurt their profits. Local government officials say that's interfering with what people want in their own neighborhoods — and putting local taxpayers on the hook for damages.
Net zero with zero plans: Florida’s limits on limiting gas emissions
10-12-2021
Net zero with zero plans: Florida’s limits on limiting gas emissions
With Florida on the frontlines of sea level rise and the impacts of climate change, a lot of local governments are stepping up and trying to reduce carbon emissions on their own. But what happens when the state government has other ideas?
As Florida Minimum Wage Increases, A Potential Lesson For State Government
27-09-2021
As Florida Minimum Wage Increases, A Potential Lesson For State Government
The coming increase in Florida's minimum wage is a story of unintended consequences, or perhaps, the story of political backlash that should be expected when the state passes laws that overly restrict local governments from making their own decisions.
The Mask ‘Revolt’ In Florida Schools
03-09-2021
The Mask ‘Revolt’ In Florida Schools
To mask or not to mask in Florida's public schools? Who gets to decide that is shaping up to be the biggest political battle in Florida this year. It's also the latest fight between state leaders and local school officials.
How Florida put the silencer on changing gun laws
13-08-2021
How Florida put the silencer on changing gun laws
Local officials don't have any say in changing gun laws in Florida. Why? The history goes back to the 1980s and involves pro-gun advocates, hefty fines from the state and a “chilling effect” that limits local control.
How To Consolidate Power: From Venezuela To Florida
12-05-2021
How To Consolidate Power: From Venezuela To Florida
For politicians who want centralized power, local governments can be an obstacle. In Venezuela, state and city governments run by the opposition have faced unrelenting attacks and have had their power stripped away. Now, many fear Florida is heading down a similar path – with a new law that punishes protesters and limits the power of local officials to rethink police funding.
The Fireworks Shop Next Door
12-05-2021
The Fireworks Shop Next Door
More Floridians will soon be able to open businesses from inside their homes. Is that a good thing?
Key West: Small Town, Big Target
12-05-2021
Key West: Small Town, Big Target
Key West voted to cut down on cruise ship traffic and ban the sale of certain sunscreens. In both cases, the Florida Legislature stepped in to overturn the island's precedent-setting moves before they could take effect.