The Rotunda with Trimmel Gomes

Episode 201: After Roe. v. Wade in FL

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda [http://rotundapodcast.com/], 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.

Episode 200: Insurance Special Session & Cybersecurity

On Trimmel Gomes' latest episode of The Rotunda [http://rotundapodcast.com/], 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 [https://americanedgeproject.org] calls on state leaders to be alert to Russia and China's increased cyberattacks and focus resources on American innovators.

Episode 199: FL Redistricting Session

On this edition of The Rotunda Podcast [http://rotundapodcast.com/] 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.

Episode 198: Sine Die

On this edition of The Rotunda Podcast [http://rotundapodcast.com/] 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 [https://www.rohisreadery.com/], social justice-focused children's book store, and learning center. Also, Dr. Candice Jones [https://drcandicemd.com/], a pediatrician in Orlando, shares her thoughts about Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's announcement against vaccinating healthy children [https://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2022/03/20220308-FDOH-covid19-vaccination-recommendations-children.pr.html].

Episode 197: You Matter

The Wednesday edition of The Rotunda Podcast [http://rotundapodcast.com/] 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.