Democratic Sen. Bracy hints at run for Florida governor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ State Sen. Randolph Bracy released a campaign-style video Tuesday strongly hinting that heโll consider seeking the Democratic nomination to face Republican Gov. In the video, Bracy discusses problems facing the state because of the coronavirus pandemic, says the state needs to change course and needs a governor who will work with both parties to help Florida through the crisis. We need to leave behind the small fights at the Capitol and figure out how to work together to move Florida in the right direction. But in a phone interview, Bracy said the video posted on his website isn't an announcement that he's getting in the race. Bracy, 43, of Orlando, was elected to the House in 2012, where he served before being elected to the Senate in 2016.
Bethune-Cookman University president resigns
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. โ Bethune-Cookman Universityโs president resigned Tuesday, according to the universityโs board of trustees. AdChrite became president of B-CU in July 2019, as the university struggled with financial records. The university was at risk of losing its accreditation in October 2019. Bracy had started an initiative prior to the pandemic, aiming to secure additional funding for Floridaโs HBCUs after leaders at Bethune-Cookman University expressed financial struggles. AdโThe Board of Trustees remains aligned and steadfast in its commitment to its fiduciary responsibilities of care, loyalty, and obedience to the institution,โ the universityโs statement reads.
DEO director set to present analysis of Floridaโs aging unemployment system
Sources told News 6 DEO Director Dane Eagle had expected to make the presentation to the Senate Appropriations Committee to present the anticipated cost of revamping the system. They include retain the already existing system, custom development of a new system, a so called commercial off the shelf system, or another state agency system. One plan presented is spending about $155 million over the next two years to improve and modernize the current system. Stewart predicts the cost of revamping the current system could easily exceed $10 million that would be added to the $119 million the state already invested into the system last year. State Sen. Randolph Bracy plans to be all ears Monday when Floridaโs DEO Director presents the findings of a recent audit regarding the stateโs aging unemployment system.
Florida senator wants to extend scholarship program to descendants of Ocoee Massacre
TALLAHASSE, Fla. โ A state senator is seeking to expand a scholarship program set up more than 25 years ago because of a massacre in Rosewood to include people whose families were directly affected by the racially motivated 1920 Ocoee Election Day riot in Central Florida. Black residents were killed in the riot, and others fled the community as homes, churches and a fraternal lodge were destroyed. Ad[WATCH: 100 years after Ocoee Massacre city leaders apologize, honor victims]โIโm not under the illusion that people will think this is not enough,โ Bracy said. Last year, Bracy led a successful effort to require public-school students to learn about the Ocoee riot, similar to a requirement for teaching about the Holocaust. When he initially proposed the 2020 legislation, Bracy sought $150,000 per Ocoee victim, a funding level modeled, in part, on a 1994 decision by the Legislature to compensate African-American families because of the Rosewood Massacre.
โIโll be glad to eat food tonight:โ Hundreds of families receive free meals at Apopka Farm Share food giveaway
APOPKA, Fla. โ Hundreds of families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic lined up at Apopka High School Saturday morning to receive free meals. โA blessing, a blessing, a blessing. Iโll be glad to eat food tonight and sit at the table with my neighbors and have a good meal,โ Garrison said. State Senator Randolph Bracy and Apopka High Schoolโs PTSA teamed up with Farm Share to hold the event. Tre Wade, Apopka High Schoolโs PTSA president, said the community is hurting.
Orlando lawmaker targets mug shots, citing โlasting harmโ
Pointing to โlasting harmโ from booking photos posted online, a Senate Democrat has filed a proposal that would prevent the release of the photos taken when people are arrested. Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, filed the proposed public-records exemption (SB 444) on Wednesday. It will be considered during the legislative session, which starts March 2. The bill would allow the release of booking photos in certain circumstances, such as if a person poses an immediate threat to the public. โIn the absence of the special circumstances specified in this act, the potential for lasting harm from use or publication of an arrest booking photograph online far outweighs any immediate public benefit of viewing the arrest booking photograph of a person who poses no immediate danger to the public.โ
Orange County Sheriff John Mina sits down to talk about Salaythis Melvin shooting
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Orange County Sheriff John Mina met behind closed doors with state leaders and a local activist on Tuesday to discuss the deputy-involved shooting death of a man at the Florida Mall. Salaythis Melvin, 22, was shot in the back on Aug. 7 as he ran from Agent James Montiel in the parking lot of Dickโs Sporting Goods. People want know whatโs happening with the case, and weโre open to letting people know,โ Mina told News 6 after the meeting. The meeting with Mina was held in Bracyโs Metrowest office with Rep. Travaris McCurdy, D-Orlando. Mulrain has helped organize many of the demonstrations that have happened around Orange County since Melvinโs shooting.
Family of 6 living on fatherโs part-time wages as mom waits for unemployment benefits
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Brandi Simmons and her family are holding on to hope and her husbandโs part-time wages to cover the mortgage and car payments as the wait for her unemployment benefits goes into week 10. โWeโre at risk of homelessness, we canโt pay our mortgage,โ Simmons said. โAs soon as I would get disconnected (on the phone), I would call right back,โ a frustrated Simmons said. I have contacted Ms. Simmons directly, and have escalated her concern to our liaisons with the Department of Economic Opportunity. We are hopeful that DEO will find some resolution to her issue.โIf you would like to help Simmons and her family or you have an unemployment benefits issues, send an email to makeendsmeet@wkmg.com.
Bill to prevent arrests of young children in Florida likely dead
ORLANDO, Fla. โ A bill that would have prevented arrests of children under the age of 10 failed to be discussed in a key state Senate committee. The Orlando Sentinel reported that the measure is all but dead after failing to be addressed during the Senate Appropriations Committee final meeting this session. The push for the amendment to the stateโs criminal justice bill came after the arrest of 6-year-old Kaia Rolle in Orlando. The main supporter of the bill, state Sen. Randolph Bracy is expected to hold a news conference Wednesday.
Florida lawmakers propose bill to prevent young children from being arrested
ORLANDO, Fla. โ A Florida senator who filed a bill to prohibit children under 12 from being arrested has announced a compromise with lawmakers that is expected to pave the way for the legislation to pass. On Monday, Bracy held a news conference during which he announced that he had come to an agreement with other lawmakers to amend the bill to apply to children 10 and under. โIt was heartbreaking to watch this young 6-year-old girl pleading for help and asking for a second chance as she was being arrested. [RELATED: Orlando grandma wants police to implement change after granddaughterโs arrest | Video shows officer who arrested children repeatedly tasing man]โIt is shocking that no existing law prevented this unnecessary response to childhood misbehavior. No 6-year-old should be handcuffed and taken away from school in the back of a police car,โ Bracy said.