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

Michael MolineApril 21, 2017

The Florida Commission on Ethics voted unanimously Friday to resist efforts by House and Senate leaders to exert control over its hiring, firing, travel, and other business, citing fears for its independence. The panel agreed to back Chairman Matthew Carlucci in rejecting a “delegation of authority” issued on March 21 by House Speaker Richard Corcoran […]

Michael MolineApril 20, 2017

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With two weeks and change remaining in the 2017 Legislative Session, House and Senate budget leaders are professing optimism that they can resolve their differences and adjourn on time May 5. House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo — and Jack Latvala, his Senate counterpart — both said Thursday they hope to begin formal budget conference negotiations […]

Michael MolineApril 20, 2017

Attorney General Pam Bondi has joined Sen. Frank Artiles’ chorus of critics, suggesting her fellow Republican leave office for directing slurs, including a version of the N-word, at colleagues. “There is simply no room for racial, hurtful language spoken to your colleagues or anyone else,” Bondi told POLITICO Florida. “I have always liked Frank and […]

Michael MolineApril 20, 2017

Senate implementing legislation for last year’s solar energy referendum passed its final committee test Thursday, when the Appropriations Committee voted its unanimous approval. The bill by St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes would implement $54.5 million in annual solar breaks on local taxes, approved by Florida voters via Amendment 4 in August. SB 90, supported by environmental […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

The Senate’s workers’ compensation package passed its final committee test Wednesday, as its sponsor expressed willingness to compromise with the House over conflicting language on attorney fees and medical payments. “I do think that we can land in a place where, when they score the final product, it will show more rate reduction than they’re […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

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The House voted Wednesday to replace Florida personal-injury protection insurance mandate for motorists with a requirement that they buy bodily injury protection, upending an insurance system in place since 1971. “Today, we have the ability to start thinking about personal responsibility in a different way, and shifting that paradigm in the state of Florida in […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

The Florida House approved a workers’ compensation fix Tuesday intended to answer the Florida Supreme Court’s objections to the system by adding flexibility on attorney fees in benefits challenges, and by boosting benefits for injured workers. The measure, HB 7085, passed on a vote of 82-37, shortly before the Senate bill cleared the Rules Committee. […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

The House assignment of benefits fix cleared its last committee vote Wednesday, with co-sponsor James Grant conceding language addressing attorney fees and consumer choice in hiring contractors needs more work. “The Florida House is not going to tolerate inaction on it,” Grant said following the Commerce Committee’s 21-7 vote. “I think you’ll see pretty quick […]

Michael MolineApril 18, 2017

Hey, Al! Answer your phone! That was one of the few remotely critical remarks addressed to U.S. Rep. Al Lawson during a town hall meeting in Tallahassee Tuesday, the latest in his Easter Recess swing. “I have a real problem, frequently, getting through to your office. I mean frequently, like 50 percent of the time, I […]

Michael MolineApril 18, 2017

The House defeated a series of Democratic amendments to its version of a workers’ compensation fix Tuesday, with sponsor Danny Burgess promising the bill would “enhance the fairness and the balance of the workers’ compensation system in Florida.” Burgess, whose Insurance & Banking Subcommittee drafted the legislation, also predicted a decline in premiums, following the […]

Michael Moline

Ethics commission bucks legislative leaders’ assertion of authority

Appropriations chiefs sound hopeful as clock ticks on state budget negotiations

Report: Pam Bondi suggests Frank Artiles step down over disparaging remarks

Appropriations Committee vote sends solar tax break bill to the Senate floor

Senate workers’ comp sponsor open to compromise as bill heads to floor

House votes to repeal Florida’s PIP mandate for auto insurance

Florida House OKs legislation targeting soaring worker’s compensation premiums

House assignment of benefits bill clears final committee, headed to floor

Love — some of it tough — greets Al Lawson during Tallahassee town hall

House workers’ compensation bill survives Democratic floor amendments