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

Peter SchorschApril 3, 2017

For the Republican-dominated state Legislature, helping the business community is a high priority. So, it’s not surprising that this Session, new protections for small-business owners are capturing legislators’ attention. Tomorrow, the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries will hear SB 750, known as the Protect Florida Small Business Act. This bill, sponsored by powerful appropriations chair […]

Peter SchorschApril 3, 2017

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica, although today we’re giving Gary Fineout of the Associated Press the lead… DIVIDED OVER DOLLARS: LEGISLATORS SPLIT ON SPENDING With about a month left in the regular session, the Republican-controlled Legislature is on […]

Peter SchorschApril 2, 2017

A pro tip for anyone seeking to curry favor with the Florida Legislature: get your facts straight — or at least know which state you’re trying to lobby. A couple of months ago, state Sen. Jack Latvala and Rep. Jason Brodeur announced supporting the “Protect Florida Small Business Act” (SB 750), which seeks to “promote […]

Peter SchorschApril 2, 2017

While Republicans in Congress struggle with “repeal and replace” of the Affordable Care Act, a group of leading health care professionals look to the future of health care in America by asking “What’s next?” “Affordable Care Act: Where Do We Go From Here – The Politics of health care” is the featured roundtable at the […]

Peter SchorschApril 1, 2017

It’s long been a Capitol cliché, but there are few pronouncements on a piece of legislation as inauspicious as calling something “a heavy lift.” Saying a bill is “a heavy, heavy lift” sounds even more portending of defeat. Yet that’s how House Speaker Richard Corcoran referred to the omnibus gambling bills now on their way […]

Peter SchorschMarch 31, 2017

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Hmmm, they don’t seem that provocative. On Thursday, members of the Women’s Legislative Caucus wore purple T-shirts with the slogan, “A Woman’s Place is in the House and the Senate.” Once on the House floor, however, an alarm rose among some: Were they appropriate? Rules Chair Jose Oliva, slated to be Speaker in 2018-20, soon put […]

Peter SchorschMarch 31, 2017

Telecommunications giant AT&T, partnering with Motorola Solutions, received some exciting news Thursday. The U.S. Department of Commerce and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) has announced AT&T was chosen to build and manage the first nationwide wireless broadband network for America’s police, firefighters and emergency medical services. FirstNet is a federal initiative to create a single platform […]

Peter SchorschMarch 31, 2017

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica. FLORIDIANS HAVE A GOOD FEELING ABOUT THE SUNSHINE STATE A new poll from Public Opinion Strategies found Florida voters are feeling the most optimistic about the direction of the state than they […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2017

In a sense, Jacksonville is the cradle of Republicanism. The city has a politically active Republican mayor. The City Council: majority Republican. Republican Governor. Republican Legislature. What could go wrong? How about the imminent end of the economic boom? Look at what’s happening to CSX. Hunter Harrison, 72, was brought in to run the operation, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2017

Legislation introduced this Session – HB 95 and SB 182 – seeks to change the current drug formulary system utilized by health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Both bills have received significant support from “patient advocacy groups” during the course of the debate. But who are these so-called patient groups, and how are they funded? […]

Peter Schorsch
Alexandra Islas. Image via New College of Florida.

Lawmakers looking to give boost to Florida’s local franchise business owners

Sunburn for 4.3.17 – All eyes on Carlos Trujillo; WSJ dings Anitere Flores; House T-shirt non-con; David Simmons for Congress; Volunteer Month; King Arthur trailer

Franchise group tweets tone-deaf opposition to ‘Florida Small Business Act’

Florida Blue Symposium to feature health care policy wonk Alan Levine

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Will lawmakers ‘walk away’ from gambling?

T-shirts cause clothing kerfuffle in House

AT&T, Motorola chosen for FirstNet, nationwide public safety comms network

Sunburn for 3.31.17 – Poll shows Fla. voters optimistic; Meat-ax budgeting; fracking bill dead; Joe Redner’s pot suit

Jacksonville Bold 3.31.17 — Too much of a good thing

Patient groups abound in formulary debate, but who funds them?