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

Les NeuhausMarch 27, 2017

In an unexpected move, legislators merged two bills into one rather than unnecessarily compete against one another in a common goal to create a coordinated effort to enlist better medical services for abused children Monday. Both bills related to child protection issues. SB 1454, sponsored by Sen. Doug Broxson, and SB 1318, sponsored by Sen. […]

Les NeuhausMarch 24, 2017

Part of a psychological evaluation administered to Naika Venant in June 2015 included a sentence completion test. For the beginning stem sentence “The thing I want to do most of all is …” the then-12-year-old girl responded: “Die happy.” Sentence tests can provide indications of attitudes, beliefs, motivations or other mental states. Other sentences she […]

Les NeuhausMarch 23, 2017

A sub-contracted case manager with the Florida Department of Children and Families was arrested for falsifying information regarding the well-being of children living alone, officials confirmed Thursday. Spokespeople for both DCF and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed Vanessa Arias, 33, was arrested Friday for lying on safety reports. “The department has no tolerance for […]

Les NeuhausMarch 23, 2017

The Florida House advanced a bill that would allow school administrators to pray in public schools throughout the state if students initiate those prayers. HB 303 unanimously passed the House Education Committee Thursday. The measure would violate the decades-old federal provision separating church and state, and may likely be challenged at some point. However, at the […]

Les NeuhausMarch 23, 2017

“It was Florida’s version of ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird,’” Sen. Gary Farmer said to the state’s Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday as he introduced his bill – SCR 920 – that would lead to the pardons of four men killed and accused of crimes they didn’t commit. It was July 16, 1949, before dawn. […]

Les NeuhausMarch 22, 2017

Orange County and state officials are making an example of a man who attempted to collect a bogus insurance claim on his car after reporting it stolen, accusing him of arson and insurance fraud. Michael Abrams, 43, is now held on $50,000 bond in an Orange County detention facility, a statement said Wednesday. Abrams is […]

Les NeuhausMarch 22, 2017

America’s former domestic security chief believes Donald Trump may have the makings of a historic leader. In an MSNBC interview Wednesday, previous U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Trump could be a “great president.” However, Johnson expressed concern over the president’s affinity for social media and worried he didn’t have a full […]

Les NeuhausMarch 22, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott will lead a delegation of representatives from small- to midsized Florida businesses on an export trade mission to Argentina in April. The trip will be to boost business relations between the state and the South American nation, a spokesman with Enterprise Florida said Wednesday. Scott’s visit will be from April 23-27 and […]

Les NeuhausMarch 21, 2017

Two measures dealing with drug testing for certain public aid applicants and law enforcement taking over DCF’s role investigative role in another county met no resistance Tuesday. Among several bills heard by the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee were two dealing with applicants of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) and child welfare […]

Les NeuhausMarch 21, 2017

A litany of bills Tuesday show legislators intend to crack the whip on several social, criminal and commercial problems affecting the state. Each bill passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, covering issues as wide ranging as child predators, domestic violence, addiction recovery homes, skimming devices, the department of corrections, probation, terrorism — and protection of […]

Les Neuhaus
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Lawmakers merge two bills to expand medical services for abused children

Psychotropic cocktail may have contributed to Facebook Live suicide

Five children used candle for ‘light and heat’ after child welfare worker ignored calls for help

‘Religion in school’ bill moves past House education committee

Dark chapter in Florida’s racist history moves one more step to formal apologies, pardons

Officials use Orlando man, attempted insurance fraud, as example of abuse

Former Homeland Security chief: Donald Trump has ability to be ‘great’ leader

Rick Scott to lead South American trade mission arranged by State Dept.

Breezing through committee: Welfare drug testing, DCF takes backseat in Walton County

House advances bills ‘cracking the whip’ on domestic abuse, child offenders, recovery centers, terrorism