Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2015

Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate next year, but lets hope that doesn’t “pave the way” for fellow South Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy to become the groomed nominee in 2016. As a Tampa Bay area-based political reporter, I have to admit knowing very little about […]

Gary FineoutMarch 18, 2015

Legislators are prepared to scale back the number of tests given to students, but they remain opposed to any large changes that could undo the signature program put in place by former Gov. Jeb Bush. The House is expected this week to pass a wide-ranging bill that places limits on the number of standardized tests […]

Peter SchorschMarch 18, 2015

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that minimum wage increases should be left to businesses and state governments, opposing an increase in the federal pay floor as an impediment to individuals trying to escape from poverty. “State minimum wages are fine,” said Bush, making his first extended foray into South Carolina, the state that […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

The House released a health care budget on Tuesday that contains no supplemental Medicaid funding traditionally used to help pay hospitals, federally qualified health centers, graduate medical education, and even prepaid health plans. House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Matt Hudson said it would be “premature” for the House to include supplemental, or Low […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 17, 2015

A House subcommittee chairman’s proposal for environmental spending ignores the will of voters who supported Amendment 1, environmental groups said Tuesday. “Most of Florida was left out of this budget,” said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida. “Most of Florida was left out of this budget,” Draper said. He was responding to the 2015-16 […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

The hot dogs were free, the National Champion soccer team was on hand, as well as the tournament-bound women’s basketball team, but the star of the midday gathering in the Capitol courtyard was Farhan “Ronny” Ahmed. The 21-year-old Ahmed was shot three times and left paralyzed from the waist down when a gunman opened fire at […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

There’s a development in the Gerald Bailey affair I want to tell you about, but first its FSU Day. Not that I attended the school or anything, but if I’m put on a beat it’s what’s in the front of my mind, you know? Like, I’m all FSU, fascinated by Charlotte’s Web rule-making, intrigued by the personalities […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 17, 2015

On a sunny March afternoon with the spring heat cooled by a persistent breeze off the St Johns River, Lenny Curry brought starpower to a rally on Jacksonville’s Southbank. It came in the form of former Texas governor and potential Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry. “4:30 on a Tuesday afternoon,” Curry said, looking over the crowd. “We’re […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 17, 2015

House bills that involve oil and gas “fracking” passed their first committee stop with support from some environmental groups and opposition from others and tense questioning by Rep. Ray Pilon. HB 1205 would establish a permitting program for hydraulic fracturing and acid fracturing, which are processes used to extract oil and gas from rock. HB […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 17, 2015

Florida’s top Medicaid official said on Tuesday he wants to have a tentative agreement with the federal government on how much Florida can expect to receive in supplemental Medicaid dollars by early to mid April. Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Justin Senior told Florida Politics that the plan is to have a letter of agreement outlining broad principles […]

Uncategorized
No on 4

Mitch Perry Report for 3.18.15 — No DWS, no problem, right Dems?

House poised to make changes to state testing

Jeb Bush rejects idea of raising federal minimum wage

House releases budget with no supplemental funds and deep cuts to Department of Health

Enviro groups: House budget proposal ignores Amendment 1 intent

FSU rallies at Capitol

The day that was in Florida politics — March 17

Rick Perry, Lenny Curry draw hundreds to rush hour rally

Fracking bills pass House panel after testy exchanges

State Medicaid chief wants tentative agreement with feds by mid-April