Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

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House Speaker Steve Crisafulli on Thursday said the budget conference process won’t begin just yet. The Merritt Island Republican announced the news to members of this chamber in an email: From: Crisafulli, Steve Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2016 9:16 AM Subject: Conference will not begin this weekend Members: There is positive forward progress in the […]

Ryan RayFebruary 17, 2016

After nearly an hour of at times emotional debate on Wednesday, a Senate budget panel approved a controversial proposal to prohibit public funds from going to any facility that provides abortions. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health & Human Services passed SB 1722 by a party-line vote Wednesday morning, with the eight-member panel’s three Democrats voting in […]

Ryan RayFebruary 16, 2016

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday heard a workshop about changes to the state’s managed-care plans as they relate to pharmacists. The state Agency for Health Care Administration’s Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Justin Senior said the current plan works just fine, with providers abiding by strict time and distance standards: the maximum time from a pharmacy […]

Ryan RayFebruary 16, 2016

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday gave the nod to state Surgeon General John Armstrong. Members granted him confirmation to extend his tenure as head of the state’s health care apparatus, but just barely by a 5-4 vote Armstrong has been under heightened scrutiny in Tallahassee because of recent public failures in the state’s health […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 16, 2016

Residents in eight state Senate districts will be receiving a mailer from Americans for Prosperity-Florida in the coming days. The organization announced Tuesday it has launched a direct mail campaign to tell Floridians about a proposal moving through the state Senate that includes film production and sports incentives. The measure (SB 1646), sponsored by Sen. […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 11, 2016

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Separated by nearly $1 billion in spending and differences over everything from tax cuts to health care spending, the Florida Legislature has less than a month left in its regular session to reach a deal on a new state budget. Although Republican legislators stress they won’t have a repeat of infighting that marred their negotiations […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 11, 2016

A bill to replace a statue of a Confederate army general as one of Florida’s two entries in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall was passed by the Florida Senate Thursday. The Senate skipped debate and OK’d the bill (SB 310) by a vote of 33-7. That move, however, puts the two chambers at odds: A House version (HB […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 10, 2016

Florida’s supervisors of elections might be getting a pay raise. The Senate Fiscal Policy committee on Wednesday OK’d a proposal changing the calculation used to determine how much a county’s election boss is paid. The measure (SB 514), sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, increases the base salary and the group rate used to determine a […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

With the half-way mark of the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: “… so close/And yet so far.” Take the 2016-17 state budget, the only bill lawmakers are required to pass each year. The House came in at $79.9 billion with the Senate […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 10, 2016

Setting up a potential tug-of-war over millions in taxpayer money, the Florida House is rushing ahead with a plan that would force school districts across the state to share local property taxes with charter schools. Some legislators are pushing to steer more money to charter schools even though a recent analysis by The Associated Press […]

Tag: 2016 Legislative Session

Steve Crisafulli says no budget conference yet

Senate panel advances bill to defund abortion providers

Small pharmacies oppose efforts to tighten managed-care networks

Senate panel narrowly votes to confirm Scott admin Surgeon General

Americans for Prosperity-Florida launching direct mail campaign targeting sports, film incentives

Legislature divided over budget, tax cuts

Senate OKs replacing Confederate general’s statue

Bill giving raise to county elections officials heads to Senate floor

Gut check: Legislative Session reaches midpoint

Despite problems charter schools could get more state money