Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

Don’t let the perhaps flawed way that House and Senate negotiators agreed upon their $83 billion state budget tarnish the final bill, Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala urged Monday as the Senate took up the measure in an extended session. “We’ve done a lot of good with this budget” and “cannot get bogged down just […]

Staff ReportsMay 8, 2017

The office of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who is stepping down with the conclusion of the Legislative Session, has defended pay raises for his top staff as in line with long-overdue increases throughout his department. In a letter dated Thursday to Senate President Joe Negron’s chief of staff, Cheri Vancura, Atwater’s chief of staff, Budd […]

Mitch PerryMay 8, 2017

Florida Senate President Joe Negron is firing back at University of South Florida supporters who claim the Legislature “moved the goal posts” when they reverted language in an education conforming bill. The bill, they say, would prevent USF from reaching the 11th of 12 pre-assigned benchmarks which would qualify them for “pre-eminence,” a status that would have qualified […]

Staff ReportsMay 6, 2017

The work of the people ended with a whimper Friday, as lawmakers agreed to extend the 2017 Legislative Session to complete the budget, killing a host of other legislation. As the Legislature turned out the lights around 9:30 p.m., high-profile dead bills included efforts to overhaul workers’ compensation and assignment of benefits, and to implement the […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

The Legislature stiffed the Florida Chamber of Commerce on one of its top priorities this year — abuse of assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs. The Chamber isn’t hiding how it feels about that. “Florida’s hardworking families should remember this – the Florida Senate chose to side with anti-consumer special interests, instead of stepping up […]

Associated PressMay 5, 2017

Florida could make it easier for parents and residents to challenge school textbooks and school library books under a bill passed by the state Legislature. The Senate on Friday narrowly approved the measure by a 19-17 vote. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott. The legislation (HB 989) would allow parents and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 5, 2017

A bill to implement the 2016 medical marijuana constitutional amendment is dead, after the House amended the bill to increases the cap on retail facilities twentyfold. The decision to send the bill back to the Senate kill the legislation (HB 1397), where senators were unwilling to increase the caps. Earlier in the day, Sen. Bill […]

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2017

The Senate blinked in a fight over a standard of evidence, sending a fix to the state’s “stand your ground” law to Gov. Rick Scott. The House on Friday voted to “insist” that the Senate accept its amendment to Sen. Rob Bradley‘s bill (SB 128), which aims to streamline claims of self-defense. Last month, it OK’d the […]

Associated PressMay 5, 2017

Florida police officers may soon be required to undergo training to better deal with autistic individuals under a bill that has passed the state Legislature. The measure was sent to Gov. Rick Scott on Friday. It comes after a North Miami shooting that left an unarmed black therapist shot and injured while he tried to […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

On Friday, the scheduled last day of the 2017 legislative session, the Florida Senate confirmed Gov. Rick Scott‘s picks to run the state’s health care agencies. The Senate approved Justin Senior to head the Agency for Health Care Administration and Celeste Philip to lead the Department of Health as Florida’s Surgeon General. The Florida Medical […]

Influence

Jack Latvala appeals to Senate to pass budget, despite flawed process

Jeff Atwater’s office defends pay increases for top administrators

Senate President denies ‘moving goal posts’ regarding USF’s drive for pre-eminence

See ya Monday: House and Senate adjourn after extending session

Florida Chamber and allies unload on Senate for skipping AOB reform this year

Florida parents may get a bigger say over school textbooks

Medical marijuana bill dead for 2017 Session

Legislative fix to ‘Stand Your Ground’ law goes to Rick Scott

Rick Scott gets bill requiring autism training for police

Senate confirms Justin Senior, Celeste Philip