Florida’s gubernatorial candidates debate issues, not each other\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
(0:00) Democrat David Jolly has said he will not debate his opponent Republican Byron Donalds in Florida’s gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n
\nThis will be the first time in more than 50 years that the state will elect a governor without a candidate debate.<\/p>\n
\nJolly and Donalds did, however, speak recently at WLRN’s Sunshine Economy Summit.<\/p>\n
\nWe have excerpts from those conversations followed by a fact-check of<\/a> the candidates’ claims.<\/p>\n \nPlus, we looked at why the lack of debates is a growing trend in politics.<\/p>\n \nGuests: <\/p>\n Samantha Putterman, Florida government reporter for PolitiFact.\u00a0Susan Macmanus, political analyst and Distinguished University Professor Emerita of political science at the University of South Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n Live Local Act\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \nFlorida’s Live Local Act, initially passed in 2023, was touted as a tool to increase the amount of affordable housing by preempting some local zoning laws.<\/p>\n \nSo, how much has the law, and its legislative updates, helped to bring down the cost of living?<\/p>\n \nGuest: <\/p>\n Ashon Nesbitt, CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition.\u00a0<\/p>\n Weekly news briefing\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \nThree Florida counties\u2014Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas\u2014have issued local declarations<\/a> of emergency as the region continues to see a rise in locally acquired cases of the mosquito-borne disease.<\/p>\n \nAs the Florida Department of Health considers eliminating some vaccine requirements for K-12 schools, some pediatricians are struggling to keep<\/a> up with the changes.<\/p>\n
(26:20) Florida is the most rent cost burdened state in the country. Around 60% of the state’s 2.9 million renters spend more than 30% of their monthly budget on rent.<\/p>\n
(37:20) State and local officials are working to stop the spread of dengue, as locally-acquired cases continue to rise.<\/p>\n