Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

The maneuvering toward comprehensive gambling legislation continues, with the Senate seeing the House offer to create three new slot machine licenses, and raising them three more. The Conference Committee on Gaming met again Friday morning. Out of the mix so far is expressly allowing fantasy sports play in the state, and allowing continued play of designated player games, […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

A much-debated bill that would ban all marriages under the age of 17 passed the Legislature Friday; it now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman for Scott said the governor “intends to sign” the bill (SB 140). The vote in the House on the Senate bill was 109-1, with the only ‘no’ vote cast by Republican […]

Staff ReportsMarch 9, 2018

Billion-dollar budgets … education … gambling. These are but three of the dozens of earth-shattering critical issues debated during the 2018 Legislative Session. Who cares? Session is also about the tangential and the trivial, but it’s tangential and trivial which drives the Florida Capitol. That’s why Florida Politics is excited to announce the return of TallyMadness — an online voting competition […]

Peter SchorschMarch 8, 2018

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Good Thursday evening. And ta-ta for now. We may be going into overtime for the budget, but this is the last edition of Sixty Days. Last Call returns Monday. Sixty Days will be back next year (or sooner, if a Special […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2018

Updated 12:10 p.m. — On a voice vote, the House approved going to conference on the gaming bill, with Mike La Rosa named chair of the House contingent. He chairs the Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee. As of 2 p.m., a conference had not been noticed. Updated 6:45 p.m. — The conference committee picked La Rosa as chair, […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschMarch 7, 2018

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Good Wednesday evening. We have a budget, but we still don’t know how long we’re staying past Friday. Also, an emotional ‘I’ve had it’ from a three-term House Democrat. Sixty Days ain’t going anywhere. Here’s your nightly rundown. Budget bingo: […]

Michael MolineMarch 7, 2018

As the House debated the post-Parkland bill Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott refused to commit to signing it. “As you know, the bill is still being debated. When the bill makes it to my desk, I’m going to do what they don’t seem to be doing in Washington. I’m going to review the bill line by […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed the latest version of comprehensive gambling legislation for 2018, and asked the House to go into conference to bang out a compromise. Bill sponsor Travis Hutson offered an amendment to the House bill (HB 7067) that already passed off the floor. The chamber OK’d it 22-10, sending it back. Hutson—a St. Augustine […]

Tag: 2018 Legislative Session

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

Senate raises gambling offer to six slots licenses

Lawmakers pass ban on minors marrying — but exclude 17-year-olds

Get ready for the return of TallyMadness!

Sixty Days for 3.8.18 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

Lawmakers going to conference on gaming

Safety net hospitals take a win in 2018-19 budget

Sixty Days for 3.7.18 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

Rick Scott refuses to be pinned down on school safety legislation

Senate passes gambling bill, requests conference