Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 4, 2015

Florida lawmakers are taking up the possibility of gambling reform once again in the newly launched 2015 Legislative Session. In honor of that 60-day road ahead, editorial cartoonist Bill Day offers his take on one of the most contentious issues in state politics. “While I’m not against gambling, in general,” Day says, “the great danger is […]

Phil AmmannMarch 4, 2015

Florida lawmakers are taking up the possibility of gambling reform once again in the newly launched 2015 Legislative Session. In honor of that 60-day road ahead, editorial cartoonist Bill Day offers his take on one of the most contentious issues in state politics. “While I’m not against gambling, in general,” Day says, “the great danger is […]

James CallMarch 4, 2015

At this pace, Florida’s political class may be exhausted by the end of March when budget writers begin deciding what will be left in and what will be taken out of a $77 billion dollar state spending plan. The state Capitol wakened Wednesday with word that Gov. Rick Scott had penned a commentary calling on […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 4, 2015

Work requirements, copayments, and commercial insurance or managed care companies are likely to be featured in a health plan that will emerge from the Senate next week as the chamber begins to discuss a health care plan the state could use if a $2 billion Medicaid financing is cut off by the federal government. Senate […]

Peter SchorschMarch 4, 2015

On Sunday night, I posted a brief post speculating about the future of craft beer in Florida. The post surmised what might happen if the craft industry got everything some in the industry say they want. I put forth a scenario in which sweeping changes to the law would inspire the mega brewers to buy up smaller ones and open up […]

James CallMarch 4, 2015

Voters in the 2nd Congressional District are still coming to terms with U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham’s campaign theme “The North Florida Way.” To help the process along, Graham on Wednesday announced she will hold regular mobile office hours in the 12 rural counties she represents in addition to Tallahassee and Panama City. Her defeat of […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 4, 2015

Democrats questioned a House water policy bill on the floor Wednesday while environmentalists said they are turning their hopes to the Senate for a stronger bill. Supporters say HB 7003 provides a statewide approach to dealing with water issues while modernizing the water regulatory system. But environmentalists say it weakens Lake Okeechobee protections while failing […]

Ryan RayMarch 4, 2015

A matching pair of proposals that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed committees in both legislative chambers on Wednesday. First up was Fort Myers Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen‘s HB 493, which passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 9 to 2, with Democratic Reps. Clovis Watson and Randolph Bracy dissenting. […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 4, 2015

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee gave the green light Wednesday to the Florida Medical Association’s top priority: a bill that precludes insurance companies and HMOs from limiting direct access to medications without prior approval from a government-housed clinical committee. It’s being called the “Right Medicine, Right Time Act” and it most likely will be […]

Marc YachtMarch 4, 2015

According to the Institute for College Access & Success student loan debt is on the rise. Sixty percent of graduates from public institutions, 75 percent of graduates from private non-profit schools and 88 percent from for-profit schools, incurred significant debt. Families earning under $40,000 annually can receive Pell Grants. Surprisingly, Pell recipients tend to borrow […]

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio/ Image via AP.

Bill Day’s latest: A take on gambling addiction

Bill Day's latest: A take on gambling addiction

The day that was in Florida politics — March 4

Senate health plan emerging as LIP negotiations heat up

Again, craft beer aficionados, be careful what you ask for…

Gwen Graham planning to go directly to the people

House water bill faces questions, is teed up for floor vote

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents

Senate insurance panel OKs FMA’s “Right Medicine, Right Time Act”

Marc Yacht: College loans creating a debt crisis