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

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

While the struggle to close the healthcare coverage gap in Florida is getting plenty of attention right now, there’s an important Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) Special Enrollment Period (SEP) deadline coming up this week that deserves its share of attention too. Many still-uninsured Floridians don’t know that although the ACA Open Enrollment Period […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

The onshore oil and gas industry has been under heavy scrutiny during the 2015 Legislative Session, as GOP Sen. Garrett Richter of Naples and GOP Rep. Ray Rodrigues of Estero have filed legislation to provide regulatory certainty to the state of Florida that will ensure the industry is appropriately regulated. The legislation, Senate Bill 1468 […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

The Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE), a group of which I am currently the state president, has 66 supervisors of elections from both parties from around the state. We support the passage of online voter registration (House Bill 7143 and Senate Bill 228) in Florida. It is important to us because current […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

The onshore oil and gas industry has been under heavy scrutiny during the 2015 legislative session, as Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, have filed legislation to provide regulatory certainty to the state of Florida that will ensure this industry is appropriately regulated. This legislation, Senate Bill 1468 and House Bill 1205, […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

Most people understand that there are many dangerous professions and value the sacrifices workers in these professions make to get the job done. Most also believe that hazardous working conditions for the rest of us are relics of the past, eliminated by state and federal programs designed to protect workers on the job. Unfortunately, nothing […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

While the Florida Legislature debates health care on many fronts, an important health care measure that has been in the works for several years and takes significant steps to better protect one of Florida’s most vulnerable populations, our state’s seniors, is now ready for final passage. That measure is assisted living reform. The assisted living […]

Guest AuthorApril 26, 2015

If the Florida Legislature fails to pass a medical marijuana bill this session the issue is almost certain to resurface as a proposed constitutional amendment in 2016. A similar amendment narrowly failed in 2014. However, it is widely believed that in a presidential election cycle (when Democrats in Florida turn out by 4-6 percent more […]

Guest AuthorApril 26, 2015

Florida’s schools are supposed to prepare our students for success in life. Whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce, we expect that students are ready for the real world based on what they learn in the classroom. But there is one area where we are perpetually failing the next generation: financial literacy and managing […]

Guest AuthorApril 25, 2015

Florida’s homeowners and neighborhoods need a doctor. We need someone who can perform surgery on a very bad bill, a bill that sticks homeowners in the heart with what amounts to a legislatively mandated dues increase. I want to be crystal clear about this: CS/CS/CS/SB 736 aka, the “estoppel bill,” will force homeowners’ dues to […]

Guest AuthorApril 24, 2015

Legislation being debated in Tallahassee — SB 728 — will raise costs for the state’s employers, consumers and public programs, while offering no clinical benefit to patients. In an effort to lower prescription drug abuse, the bill forces health plans to cover the most expensive brand name opioids even when more affordable generics are available. […]

Guest Author

Leah Barber-Heinz: Affordable Care Act Special Enrollment builds on success – but ends April 30

Brewster Bevis: Support regulatory certainty for oil and gas industry

Jerry Holland: Online voter registration is faster, cheaper and more secure

Brewster Bevis: Ignore 'fracking' charge; support commonsense oil & gas regulations

Rich Templin: Mourn for the dead, fight for the living

Gail Matillo: Legislature finally could OK needed assisted living facilities reform

Jeff Kottkamp: Medical marijuana amendment could sway 2016 presidential election

Jeremy Ring: Money matters for Florida's high school students

Roger Kesselbach: Bad bill for homeowners needs major surgery

Mark Merritt: Legislation would raise costs, fail to reduce prescription drug abuse