Legislative session begins Tuesday

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Florida's sixty day lawmaking session begins Tuesday.  Legislators will tackle generator requirements and reimbursement for nursing homes that don't have the money for them.

"We will work with Democrats, Republicans, the house, senate, to try to get legislation," said Bob Asztalos of the Florida Health Care Association.

Lawmakers will discuss the deaths of twelve senior citizens at a nursing home in Broward County following Hurricane Irma.

The governor wants to require all nursing homes to have backup power to provide at least four days of air conditioning.

Another topic that has bipartisan interest is criminal justice reform.

"Prison doesn't make people better," said State Senator Jeff Brandes (R-Pinellas). "We need to do a better job of separating the people we are scared of from the people we are mad at."

Brandes wants a statewide civil citation program.

Low-level offenders could be ordered to rehabilitation programs as opposed to jail.

"It's very expensive to house people in jails and prisons, but for the most part, we are getting better results with recidivism with civil citations," said Brandes.

Signaling early bipartisan hope, Democratic State Sen. Darryl Rouson spoke at a criminal justice seminar in Tampa last month.

"Does the consequence fit the act?" he asked.

But with the governor and house speaker eyeing even bigger offices, and every legislator considering their own fate, Fox 13 political editor Craig Patrick wonders whether ambition will collide with compromise.

"When people aspire to higher office, or keep the office they have, bet that they want to accomplish things in the year prior," said Patrick. "It could get contentious, especially with key players in both chambers and the governor's mansion, all seeking perhaps higher office."

A big fight could be over the tourism agency Visit Florida.

Last year, Governor Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran battled over funding to the point there was almost a government shutdown.

And now, Scott wants even more money.

With Scott on the cusp of announcing a run for the U.S. Senate and Corcoran possibly running for governor himself, they'll both want to show proof they've kept their principles.