Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 28, 2017

What began as a bang ended with a whimper as the House passed a diluted trauma center bill and sent it to the Senate Friday. The measure (HB 1077), which passed 93-24, began its legislative life to do away with a cap on how many trauma centers can open in Florida. The bill that was passed says […]

Jim RosicaApril 28, 2017

A well-meaning idea could cost the state’s pot of money for scholarships and public education up to about $50 million. The House this week passed a measure (HB 937) mandating six different warnings, which would rotate, on Florida Lottery tickets and advertisements. They include “WARNING: GAMBLING CAN BE ADDICTIVE” and “WARNING: YOUR ODDS OF WINNING THE TOP PRIZE […]

Jim RosicaApril 28, 2017

Ken Lawson, CEO of the embattled VISIT FLORIDA, again pleaded with lawmakers to fully fund his agency, saying jobs depend on it. Lawson appeared before the Legislature’s tourism and economic development budget conference on Friday as Gov. Rick Scott left the state to attend a National Rifle Association meeting in Atlanta. Meantime, Scott’s political committee, Let’s […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 28, 2017

Mike Fernandez, a billionaire businessman and top Republican donor, is expressing his disappointment in the House and Senate’s decision to “advance and dump” casino expansion efforts on South Florida. In an email to Sen. Bill Galvano and Rep. Jose Felix Diaz on Thursday, Fernandez criticized the decision to move forward with a proposal that would […]

Associated PressApril 28, 2017

Florida legislators may reach a deal this year on the murky legal status of fantasy sports in the state. House and Senate Republicans negotiating a comprehensive gambling bill that focuses primarily on casino gambling are including in the legislation proposals regarding fantasy sports. Senate negotiators on Thursday offered their support for a House bill that […]

Michael MolineApril 27, 2017

Sen. Bill Galvano delivered the bad news first as the House and Senate opened conference negotiations on higher education spending Thursday evening. The Senate would have to cut at least $21 million in projects from its version of the budget to reach the level agreed upon with the House, he said. “Many of you on […]

Phil AmmannApril 27, 2017

Two health insurer regulations passed the Senate floor unanimously Thursday, while similar House measures stall in committee. LobbyTools reports that Senators passed SB 102, which prohibit health insurers and health maintenance organizations from retroactive claim denial after verifying the eligibility of a patient, which usually occurs during a post-payment audit. Members also passed SB 182, […]

Michael MolineApril 27, 2017

House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo did not appear especially intimidated by Gov. Rick Scott’s tough talk on the state budget Thursday evening. That $200 million Scott seeks to repair the Herbert Hoover Dike, for example? Not likely. “That showed up about a week ago, and we’d already gone a far way down the road as […]

Jim RosicaApril 27, 2017

Rick Scott did not look like he was negotiating. The governor fired a shot over the bow of the Legislature, all but demanding full funding in the state budget for his 2017-18 priorities: $200 million to begin fixing the dike at Lake Okeechobee, $100 million for VISIT FLORIDA, and salvaging Enterprise Florida from House Speaker […]

Staff ReportsApril 27, 2017

State workers could get a raise under a proposed budget deal being hashed out by state lawmakers, but it could come at a cost. The $82.9 billion budget deal is expected to provide an across-the-board raise for state workers — their first in about nine years, according to Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, for whom the […]

Influence

Watered-down trauma center bill passes House

Warning labels could cost millions, Florida Lottery says

Ken Lawson on VISIT FLORIDA funding: ‘Protect our people’

Mike Fernandez: If gambling in South Florida passes without referendum, ‘the wrath of the community you will feel’

Play on? Legislators may approve fantasy sports

Senate offers to cull $21 million in projects as higher ed conference opens

Senate passes health insurer regulations, while House stalls

Rick Scott’s demand for budget priorities leaves Carlos Trujillo unfazed

Rick Scott demands full funding for tourism, development

Report: State workers to get pay raises, but changes to health benefits could be coming