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

Michael MolineDecember 19, 2016

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Congresswoman Gwen Graham said Monday that her constituent service efforts had helped people in her North Florida district secure $2.5 million in government benefits — and her thriftiness in running her office helped her return $375,000 in unspent money to Congress — during the past two years. “Our office is an example that you can […]

Michael MolineDecember 16, 2016

Members of a state insurance advisory panel called Friday for legislation fixing a regulatory “family glitch” that can make health insurance unaffordable to dependents of employees of small businesses. The Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board declined additional proposed recommendations, however — in part because of uncertainty about what Donald Trump and the Republican Congress would […]

Michael MolineDecember 15, 2016

Sherri Collins, a prosecutor from Loxahatchee, has won an appointment to the Palm Beach County Court. Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment Thursday. Collins has been an assistant state attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit since 2004. Earlier, she prosecuted cases in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit. She holds a law degree from the University of […]

Michael MolineDecember 15, 2016

Visit Florida, beleaguered over its $1 million promotional contract with the rapper Pitbull, found a defender Thursday in Senate budget chairman Jack Latvala. In light of a soft construction sector, “what’s kept the whole outlook from softening up has been our strong tourism economy,” Latvala told reporters after the Appropriations Committee heard about the financial demands […]

Michael MolineDecember 15, 2016

Senate budget chairman Jack Latvala isn’t interested in balancing state government’s books on the backs of counties hit hard by the BP oil spill. And he believes the state might have to let local property taxes increase along with home values. All in the name of meeting pressing needs in a state in decent financial shape now, but […]

Michael MolineDecember 15, 2016

Florida TaxWatch on Thursday welcomed a rosier new state revenue forecast, but said the extra money won’t pay for big-ticket investments sought by Rick Scott and legislative leaders. “Money will be tight this year and lawmakers who are concerned about a tough budget year should find ways to cut costs and save money,” TaxWatch President […]

Michael MolineDecember 14, 2016

Gwen Graham spent her last workday as a U.S. Representative at a Christmas tree stand in Tallahassee, helping customers select trees to take home — and reflecting on her time in Washington and plans to run for governor. “Are you that Gwen?” one customer asked. She was, engaging in a campaign tactic that propelled her father, […]

Michael MolineDecember 14, 2016

A key state senator on Wednesday endorsed House Speaker Richard Corcoran‘s lawsuit seeking to open Visit Florida’s contract with the rapper Pitbull to promote tourism. “That’s a public record,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, chairman of the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Subcommittee, which oversees Visit Florida. Corcoran sued in state court Tuesday seeking permission to subject […]

Michael MolineDecember 13, 2016

House ethics guru Don Rubottom wrote a poem to explain what the chamber’s new ethics regime is all about: “If you propose it, it should be disclosed before you discuss it, “Before it shows up in any draft of a bill or amendment, “Long before it is filed in the House. “If others propose, disclose […]

Michael MolineDecember 13, 2016

As debate opened Tuesday over Florida’s 14.5 percent increase in workers’ compensation premiums, trial attorneys on the Florida Senate’s Banking and Insurance Committee targeted the group that proposes insurance rates for carriers in the state. Sens. Greg Steube and Gary Farmer Jr., both attorneys, endeavored to shift the focus from attorney fees — widely blamed […]

Michael Moline
Stock image via Adobe.

Gwen Graham, in final news conference, claims $2.5 million in benefits to constituents

Health insurance board bracing for Donald Trump, Congress, to act on Obamacare

Personnel note: Rick Scott makes judicial appointments, in Palm Beach, Dade

Jack Latvala defends Visit Florida amid Pitbull contract controversy

Jack Latvala not keen on raiding oil spill fund to balance state budget

TaxWatch: Revenue boost won’t pay for state leaders’ wish lists

Gwen Graham shifts Christmas Trees, offers health advice to men

Jeff Brandes backs House lawsuit to make Pitbull contract public

Tallahassee lobbyists have a learning moment about ethics reform

Trial bar allies turn guns on ratings council in workers’ comp hearing