Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

There were a lot of laughs when veteran local investigative TV reporter Mike Deeson took to the dais at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club meeting at Jackson Bistro on Harbor Island on Friday, but also a few bits of news. On former and probable future House District 64 Republican Jamie Grant, Deeson said that though […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 20, 2015

At UF Health in Jacksonville on Friday, civic leaders such as Ed Burr and former mayor John Delaney, sounded the alarm about a $95 million funding shortfall that could imperil the existence of Northeast Florida’s only Level I trauma center, safety net hospital, and academic research center. Speaking on behalf of the JAX Chamber and the Jacksonville Civic […]

Phil AmmannMarch 20, 2015

As Tallahassee lawmakers finish their third week of the 2015 Legislative Session, Ben Pollara finds little to cheer about in Florida’s struggle to legalize medical marijuana. “It ain’t looking good,” the United for Care leader writes in a new email update. “Despite the voices of 58 percent of Floridians and our efforts in the legislature,” Pollara writes, “third […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 20, 2015

A public records request or an investigation by the Florida Department of Environmental should reveal whether a policy banning use of terms related to climate change exists, climate activists said Friday. A Florida Center for Investigative Journalism reported this month of an unwritten policy at DEP banning terms such as “climate change” and “sea level […]

James CallMarch 20, 2015

Sen. Rob Bradley is preparing to free the Charlotte’s Web law from a bureaucratic swamp of lawsuits, hearings and workshops. He filed a shell bill, which his Regulated Industries Committee will take up Tuesday. SB 7066 states: “The Legislature intends to revise laws relating to low-THC cannabis. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.” The bill’s language […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

Last week, the Florida house struck down the state’s 38-year ban on same-sex adoptions. The Christian Right in Tallahassee has vowed ever since to make sure that such a bill never makes it to Rick Scott‘s desk. On Thursday the House Health & Human Services Committee passed a proposed bill, PCB HHSC 15-03, that would allow allow […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 20, 2015

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson told a Senate panel this week he wants to cut and sell more trees from state parks — and do it faster. Citing other states that have increased revenue from timber sales on state land, Steverson told senators he is working to make Florida’s state parks financially […]

Gary FineoutMarch 20, 2015

The Florida House is proposing a nearly $76.2 billion spending plan for this year. The House released its proposed budget early Friday. The Senate’s full spending plan is expected to be released later in the day. The rival plans are expected to be as much as $5 billion apart. That’s because the Senate wants to […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

It’s the first full weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament, the time when some writers wax absurd about “brackets” and “the insanity of March Madness.” And yes, there were a couple of thrilling upsets and buzzard-beaters Thursday to begin the first full day of the 68-team championship. As a basketball aficionado, however, I’ve been calling […]

Phil AmmannMarch 19, 2015

Department of Environmental Protection employee Barton Bibler did not receive a reprimand for violating Gov. Rick Scott’s unofficial prohibition on the term “climate change,” an agency representative says. DEP Communications Director Lauren Engel responded Thursday by contending the censure was for “personal political advocacy related to the Keystone XL pipeline.” “As stated in Mr. Bibler’s written […]

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Image via X (Duke Energy).

Mike Deeson raw at Tiger Bay

UF Health stares down $95M budget shortfall

Email insights: As medical marijuana stalls in Tallahassee, Ben Pollara presses on

Petitioners aim to expose whether “climate change” gag order existed

Charlotte’s Web’s unsolved mystery to be investigated Tuesday

John Stemberger weighs in on gay adoption law

DEP’s Jon Steverson wants to cut down more trees, do it faster

House releases nearly $76.2 billion spending plan

Mitch Perry Report for 3.20.15 — March sadness

DEP employee not reprimanded for saying “climate change,” agency says