Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2017

Florida lawmakers will head back to Tallahassee in mid-September to kick-off the 2018 Legislative Session. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran outlined the interim committee week schedule in memos to their respective members Thursday. The schedule, as it stands right now, includes one week in September, two weeks in October and November, […]

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2017

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The Florida Medical Association is throwing its support behind Jose Felix Diaz in the special election to replace Sen. Frank Artiles in Senate District 40. The FMA PAC announced Thursday it was endorsing Diaz in the upcoming special election. In a statement, Dr. Mike Patete, the political committee’s president, said the association has worked closely […]

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s political committee brought in more than $600,000 in one month to a newly formed political committee. The Miami Herald reported that Corcoran’s newly formed Watchdog PAC raised $608,000, half of which came from contributions from political committees run by Reps. Jose Oliva and Carlos Trujillo. The committee, the Herald reported, also […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

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Interparty, cross-house fighting over the controversial education omnibus bill House Bill 7069 is not yet over, nor are efforts to stop provisions that could spell death sentences to underperforming public schools, Republican state Sen. Dave Simmons vowed Wednesday. And the bill might face a legal challenge led by state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Parkland Republican […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2017

The General abides. With lawmakers taking no action this year, a bronze statue of a Confederate general representing Florida shall remain indefinitely in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Two competing bills died this Legislative Session. One called for a likeness of educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to replace the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith. […]

Gary FineoutJune 20, 2017

Florida’s state-created property insurer, contending that it is dealing with a flood of suspicious water-related claims and lawsuits, is asking state regulators to raise rates for thousands of homeowners next year, including those in the most heavily-populated areas. The board that oversees Citizens Property Insurance voted unanimously Tuesday to raise homeowner rates an average 5.3 […]

Staff ReportsJune 20, 2017

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is throwing its support behind Rep. Jose Felix Diaz in the special election to replace Sen. Frank Artiles in Senate District 40. In a statement Tuesday, Marian Johnson, the Chamber’s senior vice president of political strategy, said the Miami Republican has put Florida families and businesses first. “Representative Jose Felix […]

Jim RosicaJune 20, 2017

In the wake of the Special Session’s implementing bill, the Florida Department of Health is gearing up to make rules governing the use of medical marijuana. The department published a “notice of proposed regulation” in the Florida Administrative Register last Friday. But the state still could face a lawsuit from personal-injury attorney John Morgan, who backed […]

Staff ReportsJune 19, 2017

Changes to how the state’s nursing that accept Medicaid are paid are coming down the pike. Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a wide-sweeping health care bill (SB 2514) last week that, among other things, moves the payment system to a cost-based system to a prospective payment system. The law delays the move from cost-based […]

Associated PressJune 18, 2017

President Donald Trump’s announcement that he’s “cancelling” his predecessor’s policy toward Cuba is a good deal less than meets the ear. Trump’s move, announced Friday in Miami, actually leaves in place most of the important elements of President Barack Obama’s moves to open relations with the island. And while his policy has the stated aim […]

Influence

Legislative leaders announce committee week schedule

FMA PAC endorses Jose Felix Diaz in SD 40 special election

Report: Richard Corcoran raises $608K for new Watchdog PAC

David Simmons: We’re not done yet with HB 7069

With no legislative action, Confederate statue remains in U.S. Capitol

Citing water losses, Florida insurer approves rate hikes

Florida Chamber endorses Jose Felix Diaz in SD 40 race

Health Department getting started on medical marijuana rulemaking

Rick Scott signs nursing home reimbursement changes into law

Fact check: Donald Trump keeps much of Barack Obama’s Cuba policy