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

Staff ReportsApril 23, 2017

Nearly 7,000 homes are covered under mandatory evacuation orders in Southwest Florida as wildfires continue to rage just outside Fort Myers. On Sunday, a St. Petersburg Fire Rescue crew was dispatched to Collier County to help battle the spread of fires in the area. The Tampa Bay Reporter writes the St. Pete crew is part of […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Dwight Bullard, the Senate Democrat unseated by Frank Artiles last year, may be looking to return. Jessica Bakeman of POLITICO Florida reports that former Sen. Bullard is “seriously considering” a run after Artiles resigned Friday morning after the fallout from a racist and sexist tirade he made Monday at Tallahassee’s Governors Club. “I’d be lying […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto said she believes Frank Artiles’ decision to resign was the “best decision for himself and his family.” Benacquisto, the Fort Myers Republican who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, said Sen. Perry Thurston has withdrawn his complaint against Artiles, and as such “no further action on the part of the part of the […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party is claiming victory amid the announcement that Frank Artiles has resigned his post. “The Florida Democratic Party began calling for Artiles’ resignation as soon as news hit of his racists and sexist remarks toward his Senate colleagues,” said Stephen Bittel, the chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, in a statement. “Meanwhile, […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron said former Sen. Frank Artiles made the “right decision” to resign. The Miami-area Republican resigned his seat Friday rather than face a hearing that could have resulted in his explusion from the Senate. “Senator Artiles made the right decision,” ,” said Negron in a statement. “As Senator Artiles has noted, he […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Wexford Health Sources is striking back at the Department of Corrections for canceling its contract to provide health care services at the state’s prisons. In a lengthy press release, the Pittsburgh-based private health care provider took issue with the department’s criticism of its performance: Wexford Health Sources disagrees with the assessment of the Correctional Medical Authority […]

Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus “denounced” state Sen. Frank Artiles Thursday, urging his Senate colleagues to toss him out of the Legislature. “(We) denounce Senator Frank Artiles for his racist, sexist, and otherwise inflammatory comments directed at some of his Senate colleagues,” they said in a statement. The statement was signed by Rep. Richard Stark, chair, and Reps. Lori […]

Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

On Thursday, dozens of protesters gathered outside Frank Artiles‘ office in Kendall to protest racist and sexist slurs he used against Florida Senate colleagues. Constituents from his district called for his resignation, chanting outside the shuttered district office. The protest comes as elected officials, community leaders and organizations throughout the country demand he resigns from the Senate. […]

Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

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Leaders from Pinellas County nursing homes joined local residents, families and advocates to voice concern over a prospective payment system (PPS) plan under consideration by the Florida Senate. Pinellas County has 69 nursing homes, of which 39 (57 percent) could lose money under the Senate budget plan — potentially more than $13 million. “On average, […]

Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

Congressman Charlie Crist also wants Frank Artiles gone. “The racial slurs used by Sen. Artiles are deeply offensive to me and the community I represent,” said the St. Petersburg Democrat and former Republican governor in a short statement on Thursday. “He should restore the dignity of the Florida Senate by immediately removing himself from it.” […]

Staff Reports

St. Pete fire crews called to Collier in wildfire fight

As Frank Artiles departs, Dwight Bullard contemplates return to Senate

Lizbeth Benacquisto: Frank Artiles made the ‘best decision for himself and his family, his constitutes, and the Florida Senate’

Florida Dems welcome Frank Artiles resignation, begin fundraising for a special election

Joe Negron: Frank Artiles ‘made the right decision’

Wexford responds to DOC’s cancellation of health care contract

Legislative Jewish Caucus urges Senate to expel Frank Artiles

Kendall protesters call for ‘bully’ Frank Artiles to resign

Pinellas nursing home operators worried about impact of payment system

Charlie Crist adds voice to those calling for Frank Artiles’ resignation