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Staff ReportsMarch 20, 2017

Sen. Dorothy Hukill has been deemed cancer-free, but will miss the remainder of the 2017 Legislative Session out of an abundance of caution. In a letter to Senate President Joe Negron, the Port Orange Republican said her team of physicians informed her that “post treatment tests show no remaining cancer and they are optimistic of […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

In addition to the Sunshine State, Pennsylvania lawmakers have now filed legislation to break down the wall of separation between liquor and other goods. On Saturday, the Philadelphia-based Billy Penn news site reported that bills in that state’s “House and Senate would create a new category of license that would allow grocery and convenience stores […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

The House of Representatives’ omnibus gambling bill will again be heard this week, records show. The bill (HB 7037) is on the agenda for the Ways & Means Committee, chaired by Bradenton Republican Jim Boyd, on Tuesday. Though it includes a renewed blackjack agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the legislation overall […]

Jim RosicaMarch 19, 2017

A tax cut that’s a priority of Senate President Joe Negron is running into resistance from his fellow senators. Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami-Dade Republican and Negron’s right hand in the chamber, is running the bill (SB 378) to pay for a cut in the state’s tax on mobile phone, satellite and cable TV service by […]

Michael MolineMarch 17, 2017

Most of the 57 insurance companies evaluated by insurance ratings agency Demotech Inc. retained scores of “A” or better after boosting their loss reserves and capital contributions. The companies had added $200 million in loss reserves and $155 million in capital at Demotech’s urging, the agency said in a statement posted on its website. “This […]

Michael MolineMarch 17, 2017

The Legislature will have $271 million more than it expected to spend this year, but close to 90 percent of the new money is a one-shot deal, and won’t help budget writers with ongoing demands upon a state budget projected at close to $83 billion. State economists arrived at their new forecast during a revenue estimating conference Friday. […]

Michael MolineMarch 16, 2017

The House released its bad-case and worst-case scenarios for the next state budget Thursday. Neither is very pretty. Florida faces would pay hospital less to treat poor people. The state would build less affordable housing. There’d be fewer prosecutors and public defenders. Museums, historical preservation, and economic development would be slashed. For example: “The long-range […]

Michael MolineMarch 15, 2017

A committee test turned into an anticlimax Wednesday for a Senate bill that would trade a tax break for insurance companies for one to benefit phone, cable, and satellite communications customers. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax adjourned abruptly after approving a bill making technical changes to align Florida’s corporate income tax to the […]

Michael MolineMarch 13, 2017

A Senate committee approved legislation Monday earmarking 75 percent of Florida’s take from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster for the eight worst-affected counties, and ensuring that small counties will be represented on the oversight board. But the Commerce and Tourism Committee delayed a vote on another high-profile bill, SB 236, to dismantle tax subsidies for […]

Michael MolineMarch 13, 2017

Magic Johnson visited with Senate Democrats Monday to praise Medicaid managed care programs that are using town hall meetings and church outreach to steer HIV, dental, geriatric, and other health care to poor people in 60 Florida counties. The programs have served 9,500 people with HIV during the past four years, Johnson said. Moreover, “our […]

Tag: 2017 Legislative Session
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

Dorothy Hukill cancer-free, will miss remainder of 2017 Session out of ‘abundance of caution’

Pennsylvania joins Florida in considering ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

House gambling bill set for Ways & Means this week

Senate tax cut proposal, as is, may be on the ropes

Most Florida insurers retain ratings, but agency warns of AOB danger

Florida’s revenue picture improves a little — but not enough to really matter

House spending reduction targets would spread plenty of pain

Committee hearing delayed on Anitere Flores’ tax swap legislation

Vote on stadium-subsidies bill delayed, but panel votes aid to rural counties

Magic Johnson visits Tallahassee to talk up Medicaid managed care