Florida\u2019s gubernatorial candidates debate issues, not each other\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Democrat David Jolly has said he will not debate his opponent Republican Byron Donalds in Florida’s gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n
This will be the first time in more than 50 years that the state will elect a governor without a candidate debate.<\/p>\n
Jolly and Donalds did, however, speak recently at WLRN\u2019s Sunshine Economy Summit.<\/p>\n
We have excerpts from those conversations followed by a fact-check of<\/a> the candidates’ claims.<\/p>\n Plus, we looked at why the lack of debates is a growing trend in politics.<\/p>\n Guests:<\/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 Florida is the most rent cost burdened state in the country. Around 60% of the state\u2019s 2.9 million renters spend more than 30% of their monthly budget on rent.<\/p>\n Florida\u2019s 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 So, how much has the law, and its legislative updates, helped to bring down the cost of living?<\/p>\n Guest:<\/p>\n Ashon Nesbitt, CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition.\u00a0<\/p>\n Weekly news briefing\u00a0<\/p>\n State and local officials are working to stop the spread of dengue, as locally-acquired cases continue to rise.<\/p>\n Three 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 As 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