Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 4, 2018

Florida’s new $88.7 billion state budget contains 87 “turkeys” worth $147.5 million, Florida TaxWatch announced Wednesday, including nearly $120 million in transportation projects slipped in by state legislators without formal evaluation. That helped starve arts spending. The Department of State had ranked 489 cultural, museum, and other arts projects worth $41.6 million, but the Legislature […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2018

Talk about pre-emption. With Gov. Rick Scott speedily approving the 2018-19 state budget and issuing line-item vetoes just two days after it hit his desk, Florida TaxWatch was prevented from holding its signature event: The annual presentation of “Budget Turkeys.” “This historically, exceptionally fast turnaround time did not allow Florida TaxWatch to fully complete the meticulous […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2018

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Out of $64 million in budget vetoes issued Friday, Gov. Rick Scott killed $270,000 slated for the acquisition of the Florida Quilt Museum building in Trenton, the county seat of Gilchrist County. That gladdened Rep. Evan Jenne, a Dania Beach Democrat who inveighed against the money during debate on the state’s spending plan. “I am pleased to […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott signed his final state budget Friday, two days after the Legislature sent it to him to review. The $88.7 billion fiscal plan – the largest in state history – landed on Scott’s desk Wednesday, but the governor did not approve it all. He vetoed $64 million worth of line items, the smallest being a […]

Ana CeballosMarch 12, 2018

The superintendent for Pinellas County public schools is slamming the proposed state budget that lawmakers are poised to pass Sunday because he says it will leave his school district with a nearly $3 million funding deficit. “It’s clear that the additional safe schools and mental health funding has come on the backs of teachers and […]

Ana CeballosMarch 11, 2018

The Florida Legislature during a rare Sunday session passed an $88.7 billion state budget — the largest one in the state’s history. “This balanced budget includes unprecedented K-12 per student funding, targeted pay raises for state law enforcement, state firefighters, and Department of Juvenile Justice probation and detention officers, and $100 million for Florida Forever, while […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

[Ed. Note — This story, first posted Thursday, was updated Friday.] Lawmakers on Thursday included a provision to withhold more than $1.9 million in Department of Health salaries and benefits in the final 2018-19 state budget until regulators fully implement medical marijuana. The proviso language, which “qualifies or restricts a specific appropriation,” means certain Health officials will get […]

Staff ReportsMarch 8, 2018

Hospitals serving large numbers of the state’s Medicaid patients “applauded” funding in the 2018-19 budget they say “puts patients before profits.” In a Thursday press release, the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida thanked budget writers for maintaining funding. The Legislature agreed to fund another $319 million—including the federal share—in the upcoming year’s budget, as they did […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

With only one member commenting, the House swiftly passed its omnibus gambling bill for 2018, setting up a possible conference of the two chambers. The bill (HB 7067) was OK’d on a 70-40 vote, with Republican Halsey Beshears of Monticello and Tom Goodson of Rockledge joining the Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Bill sponsor Mike La […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2018

Senate Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley told reporters Thursday “major (budget) issues are still unresolved” but “we’re having great communications” with the House. “It’s been a very smooth process,” he said. No doubt helping matters is the relative closeness of the two chambers in terms of total spending for next year. The House and Senate went […]

Florida TaxWatch finds $147.5 million in ‘turkeys’ in state budget

Quick budget turnaround cuts TaxWatch off at the pass

No quilts for you: Rick Scott vetoes museum money

Rick Scott signs 2018-19 state budget, releases veto list

Pinellas schools superintendent slams proposed funding for public education

Legislature passes $88.7B state budget to close out extended session

Legislature slashing Health Dep’t pay because of medical marijuana delays

Safety net hospitals take a win in 2018-19 budget

With little ado, House passes 2018 gaming bill

Rob Bradley on the budget: ‘A smooth process’