The pandemic created new circumstances for how the Florida Legislature conducted business and it came on the heels of one of the country s most historic years – bringing along legislation that tackled unique issues.
As the 60 days come to a close, take a look back at the best stories and photo galleries by USA Today-Florida Network Capitol Bureau reporter and photographer Tori Lynn Schneider.
1. Florida legislation a family affair
Three legislators with young families move to Tallahassee full-time for the 2021 legislative session – making a local apartment, townhome and an RV park a home.
2. The Senate s new top dog
Say hello to Briar Burgess, Sen. Danny Burgess s family dog who became a Capitol celebrity as lawmakers trickled back into town for the start of the 2021 legislative calendar.
The pandemic created new circumstances for how the Florida Legislature conducted business and it came on the heels of one of the country s most historic years – bringing along legislation that tackled unique issues.
As the 60 days come to a close, take a look back at the best stories and photo galleries by USA Today-Florida Network Capitol Bureau reporter and photographer Tori Lynn Schneider.
1. Florida legislation a family affair
Three legislators with young families move to Tallahassee full-time for the 2021 legislative session – making a local apartment, townhome and an RV park a home.
2. The Senate s new top dog
Say hello to Briar Burgess, Sen. Danny Burgess s family dog who became a Capitol celebrity as lawmakers trickled back into town for the start of the 2021 legislative calendar.
Mahdi Kassam pushed a cart through the halls of the Senate Office Building Thursday afternoon. Delivery from Rep. (Joy) Goff-Marcil, the representative s legislative aide said, dropping a small gift bag in each senator s office.
The gray bags were adorned with a small blue sticker with an illustration of the Florida state marine mammal reading Save the Manatees!
The bags held a small jar of murky water from the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and were delivered to all 40 senators and 120 House members this week. Over 500 manatees have starved and died in the IRL since December because there are no plants to eat, a sheet of paper also slipped inside the bags read. Manatee necropsies document empty stomachs and stomachs with plastic bags as the only content.