Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2016

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature has passed a bill that would legally shield clergy members who refuse to perform gay marriages. The House bill (HB 43) was OK’d Thursday by the Senate on a 23-15 vote, despite Democrats saying the measure isn’t needed because clergy already are protected by the First Amendment. It next needs to be signed […]

Peter SchorschMarch 3, 2016

It’s hard to criticize Florida’s safety net hospitals. They are the last-resort centers that provide medical care to uninsured or under-insured people. Who could argue against doing everything possible for such a deserving cause, right? But with those hospitals screaming about a proposed state funding formula, maybe we should all take a moment to catch our breath and […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2016

A proposal to stop law enforcement officials from wantonly confiscating Floridians’ property was amended and discussed in the Florida Senate on Thursday. The proposal – SB 1044 by Sen. Jeff Brandes – got a final tuneup before heading to the Senate floor for a full vote, which is scheduled for Friday. The St. Petersburg Republican introduced four […]

Associated PressMarch 3, 2016

Florida’s back to school sales tax holiday will be scaled back this year. A key Senate panel on Thursday approved a bill that would cut back the tax holiday from 10 days to just three days in August. During that time period shoppers will be able to purchase clothes and school supplies without paying sales […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2016

An amendment put forward by Sen. Bill Galvano would turn over the state’s budget for medically complex children to one company: Miami-based Caregiver Services, Inc. The proviso language would allow the Agency for Health Care Administration to contract with a provider service network offering specialty plans that cover children who are eligible for the state’s Medicaid program. Though seemingly innocent, the amendment relies […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House voted 82-37 to approve a bill that allows members of the clergy to refuse to perform gay marriages. The passage came after more than an hour of passionate debate. Opponents questioned why the bill (HB 43) was needed, with some calling it an insult to the state’s gay community. “This bill is […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives Wednesday passed its version of a measure aimed at protecting patients from the practice of “balance billing.” The bill (HB 221) was approved by an 116-1 vote, with only state Rep. Julio Gonzalez in opposition. The Venice Republican is an orthopedic surgeon. The legislation was a priority of CFO Jeff Atwater, who opposes […]

Ryan RayMarch 2, 2016

The 2016 Session is quickly coming to its conclusion, and you know what that means. Well, yes, Solo cups on the chamber floor and green bottles emerging from bottom drawers in legislative offices up and down the Capitol tower but also: #CateSineDie. Here’s how the annual parlor game’s eponym put it Wednesday morning: “Before tomorrow […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2016

A House initiative to place term limits on state Supreme Court justices and appellate judges was assigned to three committees of reference in the Senate late Tuesday: Judiciary, Ethics & Elections, and Rules. Under Senate rules, though, “Unless approved by the President, no committee shall meet after the fiftieth (50th) day of a regular session except the Rules Committee.” Tuesday was […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday began its consideration of legislation to ensure clergy members, ministers and other “religious organization” employees could legally refuse to perform gay marriages. The bill (HB 43), which has been called the “Pastor Protection Act,” is being billed as a “conscience protection” measure by its sponsor, state Rep. Scott Plakon. The […]

Tag: 2016 Legislative Session
Image via David Silvers.

Legislature passes “Pastor Protection Act” as gay marriage shield

Why are Safety Net Hospitals crying foul over $134 million in new funding?

Senate tees up civil asset forfeiture bill for floor vote

Florida’s back to school tax holiday scaled back this year

Last-minute budget move would grant Miami firm health sector monopoly

Florida House votes 82-37 to approve “Pastor Protection” Act

House passes balance billing fix

It’s time to play #CateSineDie and bet on when the Sine Die hankies will drop

Judicial term limits bill likely dead in Senate

House takes up Pastor Protection Act