Michael Moline, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineAugust 17, 2018

A Leon County judge indicated Friday that he hopes to rule by Monday on whether to strip from the November ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that could deprive county school boards of oversight of charter schools. “I hesitate to overpromise and under deliver, but my goal is to have this decided by Monday morning,” Circuit […]

Michael MolineAugust 16, 2018

Florida’s revenues appear steady for the immediate future, state economists concluded on Thursday. That means lawmakers can expect to have slightly more than $32 billion to spend when they write the state budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. “It’s going to be a very stable picture for the Legislature, with no big changes,” said Amy […]

Michael MolineAugust 13, 2018

State economists on Monday found millions of extra dollars for the state’s public schools, but also a $29 million shortfall in takings from tobacco taxes and a landmark legal settlement with the tobacco companies. The Revenue Estimating Conference projected that $128.4 million would remain unspent at the end of this fiscal year within the Educational […]

Michael MolineAugust 8, 2018

A state appeals court has blocked Clay County judicial candidate Lucy Ann Hoover from appearing on the ballot because she filed her paperwork too late. “We recognize that the public policy of Florida generally favors letting the people decide the ultimate qualifications of candidates,” the 1st District Court of Appeal concluded Wednesday, in an opinion by Judge […]

Michael MolineAugust 7, 2018

The Public Service Commission signed off Tuesday on Duke Energy Florida’s plan to collect the last $43 million it needs from ratepayers to recoup upgrade costs for its now-closed Crystal River 3 nuclear power plant. The commission voted 3-2 to attach to the plan a copy of a settlement agreement between Duke and the Office […]

Michael MolineAugust 7, 2018

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Florida’s Medicare managed care program will cost $732 million less that the Legislature provided during this fiscal year, a panel of state economists concluded Monday. But the rate of savings in that program will slack off as the program matures, said Amy Baker, coordinator for the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research. She chaired […]

Michael MolineAugust 6, 2018

Florida’s no-fault insurance system continues to generate fraud, judging by allegations in a lawsuit that insurer State Farm filed in federal court. The suit, filed in the Southern District of Florida on Aug. 1, alleges three clinics cheated it out of $4.7 million. Will suits like these help break the policy logjam that has prevented […]

Michael MolineAugust 6, 2018

Tom Lee is psyching himself up for another term in the Florida Senate. “I was pretty much resolved to step away for a little while, and get on with some business and try to help my son get through high school,” the Thonotosassa Republican (and Senate President in 2004-06) said last week. After considering runs for […]

Michael MolineAugust 2, 2018

The Florida Commission on Ethics has found probable cause that five lobbying firms filed inaccurate financial disclosure reports for 2016. The evidence turned up in random audits of executive branch lobbying firms, the commission said Thursday. The panel cited evidence that Andrew J. Liles filed an inaccurate compensation report during all four quarters of 2016. State records […]

Michael MolineAugust 1, 2018

A new law extending mental health treatment to firefighters, police officers, and other first responders with PTSD ranked Florida among the bellwether states in a survey of trends published by a national workers’ compensation ratings agency. The Regulatory and Legislative Trends Report, compiled by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, cites SB 376, […]

Michael Moline

Judge promises quick ruling in dispute over education amendment

Calm waters ahead for revenues, state budget outlook

Economists find good news for schools, bad news for Medicaid

Judicial candidate filed campaign paperwork too late, appeals court says

Duke Energy’s plan to pay off nuke upgrade costs OK’d

Medicaid managed care costs running well behind projections

New lawsuit highlights legislative logjam over PIP reform

Tom Lee says he’s looking forward to leadership change in Senate

Ethics Commission finds evidence lobbyists filed inaccurate disclosure reports

Florida ranks high in workers’ comp legislation, survey shows