The Rotunda with Trimmel Gomes

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Florida’s Republican leaders press forward with plans to ban abortions in the Sunshine State after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending nationwide protections on abortions. Gomes talks with Stephanie Fraim, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. She says it’s hypocritical for Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto birth control funding while limiting access to abortion services. She warns that most Republican leaders in Florida are set on ensuring that pregnancy is the only option.

On Trimmel Gomes' latest episode of The Rotunda, lawmakers are back in Tallahassee to discuss and reform the state's property insurance market. Lawmakers like Sen. Jeff Brandes said the crisis has been brewing for too long. Governor Ron DeSantis scores another point in the legal saga over his controversial congressional redistricting map. A Florida appeals court is allowing it to take effect for now. Also, Doug Kelly of the American Edge Project calls on state leaders to be alert to Russia and China's increased cyberattacks and focus resources on American innovators.

On this edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes, lawmakers are back in Tallahassee for a four-day session to pass new congressional maps as part of the redistricting process. Ellen Freidin, CEO and general counsel of Fair Districts Now, who led the campaign in 2010 to pass a constitutional amendment to prevent politicians from doing what the governor is doing now, shares her concerns about Gov. DeSantis' push to dismantle black representation. Also, pro-choice advocates are concerned about what they see as a continual erosion of women's rights in Florida but say they're also encouraged by the reactions of private companies across the country. Gomes talks with Amy Weintraub, Reproductive Rights Program director at Progress Florida.

On this edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes, Florida's 2022 legislative is coming to a close. The record-setting $112 billion state spending plan is expected to be voted on Monday. Gomes zeroes in on educators concerned about some of the bills restricting speech, including Pranati "Pranoo" Kumar, founder of Rohi's Readery, social justice-focused children's book store, and learning center. Also, Dr. Candice Jones, a pediatrician in Orlando, shares her thoughts about Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's announcement against vaccinating healthy children.

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes looks at how L-G-B-T-Q advocates are turning their focus to encouraging words for young people who are gay, following the passage of Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill. Gomes talks with State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Winter Park. Plus, a bipartisan bill vetoed by Governor DeSantis last year has passed both chambers. Christian Minor with the Florida Juvenile Justice Association explains how the measure could provide more leeway for juveniles to expunge or wipe clean their arrest records.

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes follows the passage of the 15-week abortion ban, which now heads to the governor. The Florida Senate also passes a bill to keep ‘unlawful’ migrants from coming to the state.  Florida’s Chief Information Officer, Jamie Grant, talks with Gomes about how the state is preparing for any cybersecurity threats, including increased escalation by Russia.

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes features President Biden’s first State of the Union speech Tuesday as he addresses the Ukraine crisis, pledging that the US will close off its air space to Russian flights.  Mitch McConnell and Senate Republican leaders are warning Sen. Rick Scott that his agenda for the GOP is problematic.  Gomes also shares highlights of ongoing budget negotiations in the Florida Legislature.

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes tracks how some of Florida’s leaders are speaking out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Gomes also covers passionate debate on the House floor as lawmakers approve bills limiting discussions on race and advance the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. New episodes of The Rotunda Podcast are available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Florida’s 2022 Legislative Session.

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes explores how millions of Florida children could be in jeopardy of becoming uninsured. Alison Yager with the Florida Health Justice Project discusses new research by Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, which warns children could lose coverage as soon as April, when states will have to recheck eligibility for everyone enrolled in Medicaid, including kids. Gomes also covers the “Don’t Say Gay” bill as it advances in the Florida House. Lawmakers take time to debate HB 7, entitled “Individual Freedom,” which bans the teachings of critical race theory in schools and workplaces.

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes features Rep. Travaris McCurdy and Rep. Angie Nixon, two Black Democrats who are calling out racism after claiming Republican Rep. Cord Byrd, who is white, shouted expletives at them. The verbal altercation was triggered by protesters erupting in chants as Republicans approved a 15-week abortion ban. Gomes also tracks the questionable changes to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill as it advances, and the Senate passes its $109 billion spending plan without punishing school districts over mask mandates. New episodes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes follows the money on some big-ticket budget items impacting Florida’s health care industry. The Florida Hospital Association warns that cuts to hospital funding in the House and Senate’s budget could worsen staffing shortages at Florida hospitals. Gomes also talks with Jeff Johnson, State Director of AARP Florida, who shares the concern that HB 1239/SB 804, which revamps staffing standards in nursing homes, would put profits over patients.  Also, we hear the latest poll results showing Governor Ron DeSantis is favored to win his reelection if elections were today.

The Monday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes covers the budget process. Some Republican lawmakers are attempting to take $200 million away from 12 school districts that defied the governor’s orders and required students to wear masks to protect against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis has rejected the House proposal saying he’d rather see lawsuits filed by parents against the districts. Gomes also follows the battle over SB 2508, a last-minute measure that would alter Everglades restoration. Critics argue the bill would return control of Lake Okeechobee’s water management to agricultural interests.

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes wraps up a busy week in the Florida Legislature where lawmakers advanced the controversial 15-week abortion bill, poised to become law. Florida’s election officials tell Gomes the state’s elections system is already at its best, and they are concerned about proposed changes that could disenfranchise voters. Gomes talks with LeonCounty Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley.  And Florida’s tourism industry is booming, according to Visit Florida’s CEO Dana Young.

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes tracks the contentious confirmation hearing of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo as Democrats tried to get the state’s top health official to disclose his vaccination status. Gomes also follows the battle over net energy metering as the solar industry shines a spotlight on SB1024 & HB 741 as threats to thousands of jobs.  Gomes also talks with Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College, who highlights ongoing efforts to improve student retention.

The Monday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes zeroes in on Florida’s budget as newly proposed House and Senate budgets will get tweaked this week before each chamber votes on the spending plans. The Senate proposal is $108.6 billion, while the House proposal is nearly $105.3 billion. Gomes also continues his conversation with Republican Representative Anthony Sabatini. He considers himself the most pro-Trump member of the Florida Legislature, as he clashes with members of his party.

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes tracks the next stage of Florida’s once-a-decade redistricting process as legislative maps are headed to the Florida Supreme Court. Republican Representative Anthony Sabatini, who considers himself the most pro-Trump member of the Florida Legislature, tells Gomes about his ongoing feud with Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls and other legislative leaders. Also, as COVID-19 continues to change the healthcare landscape and expand the role of pharmacies, Peter Kounelis, Vice President of Elevate Provider Network for AmerisourceBergen, shares how pharmacy services administrative organizations (PSAOs) are helping the local pharmacy community.

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes examines the bill that would ban public schools and private businesses from inflicting “discomfort” on white people during lessons or training about discrimination. On Tuesday, Florida Republicans also advanced a voting law package that would establish a police unit for election crimes, honoring a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis. New episodes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The Monday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes features the newest member of the Florida House, Mr. Daryl Campbell, a 35-year-old mental health specialist. He was elected on Jan. 11 to represent Florida House District 94, and he shares his journey with Gomes ahead of his official swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday on the House Floor.  Gomes looks back on the petition drive to bring online sports betting to Florida as the effort fails to reach its signature targets. Gomes also talks with Dr. Guy Benrubi, a Jacksonville-based obstetrician and gynecologist, who explains the number of reasons why he thinks the proposed 15-week abortion ban is problematic.

The Friday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes follows the crowd which broke in protest during a House committee meeting on Thursday. The audience chanted, “let us Speak; let us speak” after Committee Chairman Bryan Avila announced the end of public testimony on the controversial 15-week abortion ban bill (HB5).  Gomes also looks back at the tumultuous confirmation hearing for Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. And following Monday’s episode featuring local government leaders, Gomes tracks the Senate as it approves a bill that would give businesses more power to challenge local governments.

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast hosted by Trimmel Gomes looks at the history of Florida's revenge porn law as Senator Lauren Book pushes legislation to strengthen the law after personal photos were from her and shared over the internet. Gomes revisited an interview with Carly Hellstrom, a victim of revenge porn who encouraged lawmakers to make the action a crime.  Healthcare advocates hope a "slimmed down" version of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan, with 150-billion dollars for Home and Community-based Services, will help increase worker pay and provide critical services.  Also, Gomes checks out this year's Red Dog, Blue Dog celebrity bartending event. Organizer Sarah Clement says the goal simply brings Republicans and Democrats together to raise money for a great cause.New Episodes Available: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.