Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 24, 2017

The House Appropriations Committee will meet Tuesday morning to consider a “standard operating budget,” pending progress in negotiations with the Senate over spending priorities for the fiscal year that begins July 1. House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced the move in a note to House members Monday evening. He acted after Senate President Joe Negron rejected […]

Gary FineoutApril 24, 2017

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With time running out in this year’s regular session, Florida’s legislative leaders are at a stalemate over a new state budget and are starting to lash out at one another over the breakdown. The first but crucial round of negotiations between the House and Senate fell apart on Sunday. The session is scheduled to end […]

Staff ReportsApril 24, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron has rejected a House proposal to settle some $4 billion in state budget disagreements with a “continuation budget.” Negron said in a memo to senators Monday that House negotiators made the proposal over the weekend. “Despite serving as the Appropriations chair in both the House and Senate, I had never encountered […]

Michael MolineApril 20, 2017

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With two weeks and change remaining in the 2017 Legislative Session, House and Senate budget leaders are professing optimism that they can resolve their differences and adjourn on time May 5. House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo — and Jack Latvala, his Senate counterpart — both said Thursday they hope to begin formal budget conference negotiations […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott went once more unto the breach Tuesday, pressing his case for full funding of the state’s VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency. The Republican governor—surrounded by VISIT FLORIDA’s CEO Ken Lawson, board chairman William Talbert, and others—spoke with reporters outside his Capitol office. The GOP-majority House of Representatives, which at first wanted to eliminate […]

Staff ReportsApril 18, 2017

A claim bills providing a $3.75 million payment in the death of Nubia Barahona passed the Senate Tuesday on a 37-0 vote. The payment from the Department of Children and Families would also compensate Nubia’s twin brother Victor Barahona. The legislation was filed by Miami Republican Jose Felix Diaz and Plantation Democrat Katie Edwards (HB 6523). The House version is […]

Michael MolineApril 17, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott endorsed a key element of Senate President Joe Negron’s Lake Okeechobee plan Monday — storing and treating water south of the lake — and called upon the House and Senate to invest $200 million in repairs to the Herbert Hoover dike. Scott said during a news conference that the state can afford […]

Scott PowersApril 17, 2017

State budget cuts the Florida Legislature is aiming at Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala‘s office could slice up to $1.3 million and 21 staff members yet there is dispute over how much she’ll need that money and staff to prosecute criminal cases in Orange and Osceola counties. Her office currently has 55 open jobs out […]

Michael MolineApril 14, 2017

House and Senate budget negotiators who’ll begin conference negotiations next week will have to account for more than 1,700 additional students, state economists concluded Friday. That may not sound like a lot in the context of the more than 2.8 million kids enrolled in the PreK-12 system. Still, it adds up to nearly $12.3 million […]

Michael MolineApril 12, 2017

The Trump administration’s pledge of $1.5 million to pay hospitals for charity care came as the Senate — which was counting on the money — debated its budget plan for 2017-18. Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala announced the development Wednesday on the Senate floor, saying Gov. Rick Scott had delivered the news during a telephone call. “Thank […]

Talks stalled, House schedules committee review of continuation budget

Legislature at stalemate over new state budget

Joe Negron says no to House’s proposed ‘continuation budget’ as talks stall

Appropriations chiefs sound hopeful as clock ticks on state budget negotiations

Rick Scott pushes ahead for VISIT FLORIDA funding

Senate unanimously approves claims bill for abuse survivor Victor Barahona

Rick Scott endorses water storage south of Lake Okeechobee, but not buying land

Aramis Ayala’s staff build up raises questions about whether she has enough

State economists expect an additional 1,700 PreK-12 students next year

Trump administration comes to the rescue as Senate approves its budget