Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 31, 2017

In Jacksonville Wednesday for the JAXUSA quarterly luncheon, Florida Chamber CEO Mark Wilson described the 2017 Legislative Session as a “mixed bag.” “Things in Tallahassee are fairly predictable,” Wilson said, though “frustrating.” Urging those on hand to “have faith in the long-term,” Wilson said that while there’s a “period of time we need to band together […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 31, 2017

The budget is on the governor’s desk. Senate President Joe Negron sent 13 bills, including the 2017-18 spending plan, to Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday. Scott now has until June 15 to act on the $82.4 billion spending plan, but exactly how he plans to proceed remains unclear. The Naples Republican has been tight-lipped on […]

Staff ReportsMay 31, 2017

The Division of Workers’ Compensation’s efforts to extract itself from contract disputes between insurance companies and medical providers have drawn administrative challenges, scheduled for hearings next month. Under regulations proposed by the division’s parent Department of Financial Services, officials would limit their involvement to reviewing “reimbursement schedules, practice parameters, and protocols of treatment.” Furthermore, they […]

Staff ReportsMay 31, 2017

GrayRobinson continues to grow its roster, announcing this week that Rob Shave has joined the firm as its director of government affairs. “Rob brings to the firm years of experience in a wide variety of public policy matters, including water policy, property rights, infrastructure and education-related issues,” said Dean Cannon, the firm’s executive vice president […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 31, 2017

Sen. Jeff Brandes said he plans to continue his push for criminal justice reform, advancing a multi-year process to take a closer look at the state’s criminal justice system. Brandes, who has made criminal justice reform a top priority, was in Washington, D.C. last week for the Right on Crime annual summit. The conservative-leaning organization […]

Staff ReportsMay 30, 2017

The House released a county-by-county list of budget line items Tuesday, ranging from a $26.8 million loan for a highway project in Alachua County to $64,820 in adult education money in Washington County. Speaker Richard Corcoran’s office dropped the list without comment, but it followed by four days Florida TaxWatch’s annual list of budgetary “turkeys” […]

Staff ReportsMay 30, 2017

The Florida Wildlife Federation wants the Legislature to meet in special session to pump money into the state’s environmental land-buying program. The organization issued a written statement Tuesday to Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and Senate President Joe Negron, arguing the Legislature is under a “clear obligation” to finance Amendment 1, the Florida […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 30, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott did not close the door entirely on a special session on medical marijuana, telling reporters his office was reviewing his options. “I know there’s a lot of people involved and interested in the issue,” said Scott, following a stop in Fort Myers on Tuesday morning. Scott said a special session was “something […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 30, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott hammered state lawmakers over reduced funding for two of his top priorities, but once again declined to say whether he’ll veto the budget when it gets to his desk in the coming days. “I’ve been in business all my life and I love to see people succeed, to take risks, and when […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 30, 2017

The First Amendment Foundation is weighing in on a wide-sweeping education bill, asking Gov. Rick Scott to veto the measure when it gets to his desk. In a letter to Scott on Tuesday, Barbara Petersen, the president of the First Amendment Foundation, said the organization’s concerns “relate only to the lack of transparency in the […]

Influence

Florida Chamber CEO discusses ‘frustrating’ Legislative Session

Senate sends $82.4 billion budget to Rick Scott

Workers’ comp reimbursement regulation headed for administrative challenges

Personnel note: Rob Shave joins GrayRobinson

Criminal justice reform remains a top priority for Jeff Brandes

House releases document listing state budget line items by county

Wildlife Federation seeks special session to finance conservation land purchases

Rick Scott says he’s ‘reviewing’ whether to call medical marijuana special session

Rick Scott still mum on 2017-18 budget veto plans

First Amendment Foundation calls on Rick Scott to veto education bill