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Joe HendersonMay 8, 2017

Florida State Senate President Joe Negron continues to insist there was no dark conspiracy to deny pre-eminent status to the University of South Florida. He swears on a stack of legal briefs that state graduation guidelines weren’t changed at the last minute just to make sure USF wouldn’t qualify. As we now know, this is […]

Staff ReportsMay 6, 2017

The work of the people ended with a whimper Friday, as lawmakers agreed to extend the 2017 Legislative Session to complete the budget, killing a host of other legislation. As the Legislature turned out the lights around 9:30 p.m., high-profile dead bills included efforts to overhaul workers’ compensation and assignment of benefits, and to implement the […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

The Legislature stiffed the Florida Chamber of Commerce on one of its top priorities this year — abuse of assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs. The Chamber isn’t hiding how it feels about that. “Florida’s hardworking families should remember this – the Florida Senate chose to side with anti-consumer special interests, instead of stepping up […]

Michael MolineMay 5, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron said Friday that the Senate was waiting to vote on two bills and then would retire for the evening. Those bills, he said, were the joint resolution extending the session past its midnight expiration time, into Monday, so the House and Senate could debate an $83 billion compromise budget and conforming […]

Peter SchorschMay 5, 2017

Noting several missed opportunities, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is giving faint praise to lawmakers for their efforts during Session to keep Florida competitive. While the 2017 Legislative Session could have been much worse, the Chamber said Friday it should have been much, much better. “Thanks to the thousands of businesses that stood with the […]

Michael MolineMay 5, 2017

The House and Senate staged one last conference committee Friday, agreeing on budget conforming bills containing sweeping policy changes, on public schools, higher education, economic incentives programs and more. House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron did the honors personally, leading delegations to a committee room to present and consider offers on the […]

Michael MolineMay 5, 2017

The Senate refused Friday to move toward the House position on workers’ compensation reform, but the House gave ground on how much to pay attorneys handling claims appeals. Senate bill sponsor Rob Bradley offered an amendment that would have split the difference between the two chambers by paying attorneys as much as $200 per hour, […]

Michael MolineMay 5, 2017

The Senate’s leading education expert unloaded Friday on spending levels for schools contemplated in the Legislature’s compromise $83 billion state budget. During debate on extending Florida’s corporate tax exemption scholarship program, Sen. Bill Montford complained that base spending per student would decline in the public schools next fiscal year, notwithstanding a modest increase in the school […]

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2017

A bill to allow craft distillers to sell more product directly to customers was passed by lawmakers Friday. The measure (HB 141) sailed through a 37-0 vote on the Senate floor, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott. Sen. Greg Steube on Thursday had substituted the House version for his bill. The measure would let distillers sell up to six […]

Michael MolineMay 5, 2017

The Senate changed its mind Friday and accepted mandatory-minimum prison sentences in a bill cracking down on synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and carfentanil. Senators had stripped the provision earlier in the week, but the House refused to abandon mandatory sentences and sent the bill back. Senate President Joe Negron initially ruled that Sen. Greg Steube’s […]

Tag: 2017 Legislative Session

Joe Henderson: Bottom line for USF — Close, but no pre-eminence status

See ya Monday: House and Senate adjourn after extending session

Florida Chamber and allies unload on Senate for skipping AOB reform this year

Joe Negron starts edging toward the exit

With faint praise, Florida Chamber outlines ‘good, bad and ugly’ of Session

Conference committees complete work on budget conforming bills

House moves toward Senate on must-pass workers’ compensation legislation

Bill Montford complains about school spending during scholarships debate

Craft distillery bill heads to Rick Scott

Senate bows to minimum-mandatory sentencing for fentanyl traffickers