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With Governor Rick Scott’s signature the year’s controversial K-12 education bill became law.

The legislation allows, for the first time, sales tax payments to fund private school scholarships for bullied students. It also increases per student funding by more than $100.

“This is an election year promise to the students of this state that we will provide every single one of you to the best of our abilities a world class education,” said House Speaker Richard Corcoran. “The one that you deserve that gives you hope and gives you dignity and gives you an opportunity to go out there and change the world.”

The bill also puts new membership requirements on teachers unions.

If a union’s membership drops below 50% of the total teachers, the union will have to apply for re-certification.

Decertification is the brainchild of Representative Scott Plakon, who says it’s about making sure unions are have the support of those they represent.

“There are some labor unions throughout the state, I’ve heard of one that has as little as 3% of the bargaining unit,” said Rep. Plakon. “So you have a small number of people making decisions for a large number of people and that just seems undemocratic to me.”

But teacher’s unions, who say its an attempt to bust unions, argue even teachers who don’t  pays dues, still benefit from the union’s advocacy.

“People belong to the union for whatever reason, or not to the union for whatever reason, but it is a benefit. It creates labor peace in our schools,” said Florida Education Association President, Joanne McCall.

Under the law teachers unions will be required to report their membership numbers each year.

Governor Scott also signed the Higher Education bill Sunday morning. It makes permanent increased Bright Futures awards. It also allows students to use the scholarship for summer classes.

Lawmakers have officially ended their annual business in the State Capitol, bringing the 2018 session to a close late this afternoon.

The Senate President, Speaker of the House and Governor touted the accomplishments of the Legislature, including expansions to Bright Futures, increased spending on education and passing the school safety Legislation drafted in the wake of the Parkland shooting.

This is Governor Rick Scott’s last session before he leaves office.

“We had an incredible session, but probably the most important thing we did this year is we listened to the families of Parkland. In a very short period of time we came together and passed historic legislation to make our schools safer. To make sure that we had more mental health counselors. To make sure that those struggling with mental illness, or those threatening others or themselves to do harm no longer have access to a gun.,” said Scott.

The budget for this year came out to $88.7 billion. $400 million of which is dedicated to improving school safety.

Governor Rick Scott has signed legislation to Harden Florida Schools just 23 days after 17 were killed by an active shooter in a South Florida high school. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, Scott and the families say this legislation is a beginning.

Governor Rick Scott said he never considered vetoing the legislation, although he had voiced concerns about arming teachers.

“I called on the legislature to give me a bill that would make our schools far safer, with a much greater law enforcement presence, and hardening our school buildings. This bill does that. I called on the legislature to give me a bill with more finding for mental health services. This bill does that” Scott said with families at his side,

Afterwards, family members Tony Montalto, who lost his fourteen year old daughter Gina, and Andrew Pollack, who lost 18year old daughter Meadow read statements, but did not take questions

“We have paid a terrible price for this progress. We call on more states to follow Florida’s lead, and pass meaningful legislation to make all schools safer. This time must be different” said Montalto.

“How could we be happy?” Asked Pollack.  He buried his sister and I buried my daughter. To me this is a start for us.”

The bill imposes a three day wait on all gun purchases, not just handguns. It also  raises the age for buying a rifle to 21. The NRA opposed the new restrictions. State Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who attended marjorie Stoneman Douglas High, says this legislation reverses a gun friendly trend.

“I think we are on the retreat now, of what has been a march of allowing more guns and more guns and more access in the state of Florida. That has not only stopped, it is in retreat.”

The bill also provides more than 100 million to make mental heath services available at every school.

Shortly after the bill was signed, the NRA filed suit, arguing the law discriminates against adults by prohibiting 18, 19, and 20 year olds from buying firearms.

Legislation to put an end to child marriage in the state is headed to the Governor’s desk after being approved by the House Friday morning.

Forced to Marry at 11 to her rapist, Sherry Johnson has worked tirelessly  to put an end to child marriage… She watched from the House gallery as the chamber voted.

With only one no vote, Legislation to close Florida’s loopholes, which have allowed children of any age to marry got final approval from the State Legislature.

In front of the chamber doors Johnson was embraced by the bill’s sponsors.

“Thank you… Thank you,” she said to Representative Jeanette Nunez.

It’s the moment Johnson has been fighting for for six years.

“My goal was to protect our children and I feel that my mission has been accomplished. This is not about me. I survived,” said Johnson.

The Legislation prohibits marriage licenses to be issued to anyone under the age of 18.

The only exception in the legislation is that a 17-year-old can marry someone as old as 19, but only with parental consent.

Despite hoping for a strict age limit of 18, Johnson says she’s pleased with the final product.

“I’m happy… My heart is happy,” said Johnson.

Children married at a young age, particularly women have higher chances of falling victim to domestic violence and are more likely to live in poverty.

Johnson had this message for young women…

“Don’t allow anyone to actually force them into something that they are not comfortable or feel that they should not do,” said Johnson.

Johnson says she plans to continue her fight in other states, in hopes of putting a stop to child marriage nationwide.

Lawmakers have decided to withhold $1.9 million in salaries and benefits for top brass at the State Department of Health in the state budget until the department fully implements the sate’s medical marijuana law passed last year.

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use has yet to issue five new grow licenses, which were supposed to be finalized last October. The DOH blames pending lawsuits for the delay, but lawmakers aren’t satisfied with the excuse.

Some advocates like Jodi James with the Florida Cannabis Action Network say lawmakers set the Department up for failure.

“If the issue were as simple as someone not doing their job that might be an appropriate thing to do, but really the Legislature did not give them a job that could be done and deadlines that were reasonable,” said James. “We’ve been saying that what they really did is they created this herculean task, they wrapped it up in a Gordian knot.”

The Department of Health didn’t respond to our request for comment on this story.

With only days left before the 2018 session officially comes to a close State lawmakers are working on a last ditch effort to pass gambling reform in the state.

The two sides still disagree on numerous other issues including decoupling dog tracks and allowing fantasy sports.

But, the House has offered to allow up to 500 slot machines in 3 of 8 counties that have voted for them. The Senate made a counter offer to allow 750 machines in 6 counties.

“This is more of a compromise. We were at 8, we’ve now come down to six and we added a lot more new stuff in there that’s more Senate position because we feel like these slot referendums that we’re talking with the House [about] is going very well and the other stuff we want to put on the table and try and get those locked out,” said Senator Travis Hutson.

Despite negotiations failing for the past decade, there’s a new urgency this year with a looming constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would prevent the Legislature from changing gaming laws in the state without voter approval.

School safety legislation approved by state lawmakers last evening has arrived on the Governor’s Desk today. And as Mike Vasilinda tells us, Scott will meet with the victims families tomorrow before deciding whether to sign it.

Governor Rick Scott backed up behind this doorway when he saw our camera, as we captured an impromptu meeting with Andrew Pollack. Attorney Genera Pam Bondi was also there, Pollack is the father of 18 year old Meadow, who died in the Valentines day tragedy.

“Since my daughter was murdered, I’m just on a crusade and I got the power of a lion going through me and I’m not going to stop” the father told us.

Scott’s office says he will meet with more families Friday before deciding if he will sign legislation. All 17 issued a statement this week supporting it. We asked Andrew Pollack if he had advice for the Governor.

“He’s a smart enough guy. He doesn’t ned me to tell him what to do next.”

The Governor has 15 days to act on the legislation, but lawmakers believe he will act much sooner.

Scott has so far side stepped questions about what he will do.

“I’ve been clear. I don’t believe we should be arming teachers. I believe we should increasing our law enforcement presence at all of our schools” says Scott.

AttorneyGeneral Pam Bondi had this to say.

“Am I thrilled with the exact language of the legislation, No. No one is. Do you know what that’s called? Compromise.” A clear indication what she is advising.

So the bill passes. Read the next bill.”

The grieving father is exhausted and doesn’t have  kind words for those who tried to kill the legislation.

“Some of them are real people, but you got a lot of empty suits.”

Andrew says he will remain in Tallahassee for a few days, another indication a bill signing could come soon.

Father Andrew Pollack, whose daughter died in the high school shooting has lead the crusade for stronger schools. Today he say he is working to build a park to honor his daughter.

“We’re going to raise money and build  a spectacular and magnificent playground in all of Broward County, where all the kids can come and I’m just going to go and sit on a bench at the park and watch the kids. So if people want to follow that and me and my crusade to make schools safe, they should go to rememberMeadow.com. rememberMeadow.com.”

The grieving father now says he will take his campaign to all 50 states.

Minutes after massive gun safety legislation passed Wednesday night in the state Capitol, the lone lawmaker who attended Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High amendment a speciality license plate bill headed for the Senate. It creates a plate to honor the school.

“You know, what better to potentially bring some money into the system and honor the high school  by creating an MSD Strong license plate. So, those people who want to bring more money into the system state wide for school hardening, they should go bu that license plate” says Moskowitz.

The plate could take a year or longer to hit the streets, How much it raises depends on how many decide to purchase it.

This is the second year In a row lawmakers have failed to complete the budget in time to end session in 60 days.

The failure was highlighted by Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Chris King Wednesday morning.

“I believed one-party state government was not working. I am more convinced of that today than I have ever been,” said King.

The sticking point… healthcare spending.

“Not surprisingly the Hospital part of the budget is proving to be difficult,” said Senate Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley, Tuesday morning.

But negotiations started to gain momentum early Wednesday

“Our budget chair is continuing to negotiate with the House and we hope that in the next few hours we’ll get some resolution,” said Senator Wilton Simpson.

And after countless closed door negotiations, a deal was announced early afternoon.

But the budget needs 72 hours to cool off before lawmakers can call it a year, meaning session will be extended.

Each extra day will cost tax payers roughly $60,000.

Governor Rick Scott seems to be leaving it up to the Legislature to determine how session will be extended.

“I look forward to the session finishing, getting the budget done, having an opportunity to go through the budget,” said Scott.

Senate Minority leader Oscar Braynon has his bets on lawmakers choosing to extend to Monday.

“If we’re going to do it we’d probably do a come back versus stay until Saturday and Sunday,” said Braynon.

On Tuesday, House Speaker Richard Corcoran said the best case scenario would be lawmakers staying in town through Saturday to wrap up the session.

Although agreed on, the details of the budget have yet to be released.

During the annual Ringing of the Bell Ceremony for Fallen Firefighters, Governor Rick Scott announced he plans to sign legislation to require workers comp for first responders cover mental health the same way it covers physical injuries.

The bill addresses the high suicide rates of fire fighters and other first responders that results from the tragic incidents they witness on a regular basis. The legislation was a priority of Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis.

“To ensure that our firefighters needs, those silent needs that we don’t hear about are truly addressed and those benefits that they needed in order to get the help possible will become a reality and the Governor just concluded with that, he’ll sign it, so it’s actually a really great day of celebration of life too,” said Patronis.

Two fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty were honored at the ceremony. James F. Dorminy with Reedy Creek Fire Department and Joseph T. DeMarinis with Clermont Fire Department.

The Florida House began talking about School Safety and Guns before lunch today, and is expected to continue the discussion into the early evening, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, a final vote is not expected until tomorrow.

House members asked probing questions about arming teachers.

Rep, Kionee McGee (D-Miami) asked:  “Where in your bill does it prevent a school guardian from possessing an AR-15?

In response, House Speaker-to-be Jose Oliva said many of the questions were more about delay than information.

“But the idea of guarding in a classroom, and having the last line of defense should probably rise above political theatre” said Oliva.

Speaking of theatre.

“Hands Up, Don’t Shoot.”

A handful of activists laid down..for 17 minutes…in the rotunda outside the House, Name cards identified the 17 dead in Parkland. Amber Martin is an FSU Student who participated.

“I don’t think they are really listening to us. We didn’t want more guns on school campuses” she told us.

Inside, Democrats filed 90 amendments… All expected to fail on party lines,

House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz got her fellow Democrats to take a caucus position against the legislation.

“Hope springs eternal. We’re going to keep fighting to the last minute” says Cruz.

The expectation  here is that the bill will pass exactly as it was sent from the Senate. That will allow the Governor to get it on Wednesday.

And the PTA is already looking to the Governor to find a way to kill the provision arming teachers, but Angie Gallo says the PTA is not looking for a veto.

“We don’t want him to veto the bill. We don’t want a veto of the bill because there is just too much good stuff in there for our schools, and our students and families need that, especially in Parkland” she told us.

And at least one victims father was in the Capitol working behind the scenes to change no votes to yes votes.

And if any amendments pass, changing the bill in any way, sending it back to the Senate could mean its death.