Associated Press, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressAugust 5, 2015

A private company seeking to build rail service between Orlando and Miami is asking a state-authorized bond-financing board to allow it to issue $1.75 billion in tax-exempt bonds. If Florida Development Finance Corp. board members approve the request Wednesday, it will clear a big hurdle for All Aboard Florida’s plans to build the $2.25 billion […]

Associated PressAugust 4, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush vowed Tuesday to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood if elected to the White House, but drew immediate fire from Democrats for adding, “I’m not sure we need half a billion dollars for women’s health issues.” Democratic frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton replied on Twitter, “@JebBush: You are absolutely, unequivocally […]

Associated PressAugust 4, 2015

Planned Parenthood says Florida health officials have inspected its 16 facilities, but state officials have not released the results. Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates Executive Director Laura Goodhue told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the inspections were conducted Thursday, one day after Gov. Rick Scott said he was troubled by videos describing the […]

Associated PressAugust 4, 2015

Newly released financial records show that Republican presidential contender Jeb Bush earned more than $9 million from his business endeavors and speaking fees. Bush reported more than $1.8 million in speaking fees since the beginning of 2014. That’s an average of just over $42,000 for each speech. His single largest source of income was Jeb […]

Associated PressAugust 4, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is blaming rising Medicaid expanses on President Obama’s health law, even though the state’s top economist said the two are not related. State economists estimated Tuesday that the Medicaid program will cost $577 million more in 2015-2016. That comes as health insurers are seeking a $400 million raise and a 12 […]

Associated PressAugust 4, 2015

Florida Rep. Carlos Curbelo has been diagnosed with whooping cough, a rare and contagious disease that’s officially known as pertussis. The freshman Republican has been ill for several weeks with the disease, which has largely been quelled in the U.S. through vaccination. Curbelo was vaccinated as a child, his office says, but did not receive […]

Associated PressAugust 3, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott is targeting health insurers participating in the state Medicaid program, accusing them of negotiating hospital rates that are too high, which he says is the reason the new managed care program is not generating enough savings. Scott instructed state health officials in a letter Monday to examine hospital contracts, warning that those […]

Associated PressAugust 3, 2015

Florida’s wildlife management commission on Monday started selling permits for bear hunting for the first time in two decades, despite a legal challenge to the hunt. The permits for the hunt during the last week in October cost $100 for Florida residents and $300 for nonresidents, and they can be purchased online, in tax collector […]

Associated PressAugust 1, 2015

In his first Spanish-language television network interview since launching his 2016 presidential campaign, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush fielded questions ranging from the upcoming presidential debate to Donald Trump, from Latin American foreign policy to his favorite music, and whether he had ever experienced discrimination. Bush told of an experience his son George P. Bush, […]

Associated PressAugust 1, 2015

The largest Florida corporate donor to a super political action committee backing former Gov. Jeb Bush‘s presidential run is NextEra Energy Inc., the company that owns electric utility giant Florida Power & Light. Bush knows the company well. In 2009, more than two years after leaving office, he penned an opinion piece in the state […]

Associated Press
State Rep. Angie Nixon (center) leads a protest against immigration policies Saturday outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Image via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics.

Board to vote on whether All Aboard Florida can issue bonds

Democrats hit Jeb Bush after comments on women’s health funding

State inspects Planned Parenthood facilities, results unknown

Jeb Bush earned over $9 million from business, speaking gigs

Who’s to blame for Florida’s rising Medicaid costs?

Freshman GOP U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo diagnosed with whooping cough

Gov. Rick Scott wants Medicaid insurance, hospital contracts examined

Florida starts selling bear hunt permits despite challenge

Telemundo interviews Jeb Bush on wide range of topics

Florida Power & Light parent donates $1 million to pro-Jeb Bush super PAC