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Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

A measure to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder has passed the Legislature unanimously and now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman on Monday said the governor will “review the legislation” when received, but would not commit to Scott’s approval. The legislation is a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also […]

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 3, 2018

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A win turned into a loss Saturday, as the Republican-controlled Senate first approved—then killed—an amendment on a school safety bill that would have mandated a moratorium on assault rifle sales in the state. The legislation, called the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act” (SB 7026), is in response to the Valentine’s Day shooting […]

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2018

An embittered Sen. Tom Lee on Friday said the Legislature’s rank and file is “getting crumbs” from leadership and “they’re fed up about it.” Senate President Joe Negron later countered he’s “proud of the process,” saying “everyone is entitled to their opinion.” Lee had disagreed with a provision in the House’s big education bill (HB 7055) […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2018

The House and Senate gambling bills were heard separately Friday, but one lawmaker already is folding his hand. “The chances of a gaming bill passing this session are none,” said Rep. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat. “Let’s go home.” A strike-all amendment had been OK’d on the Senate’s legislation (SB 840) in the Appropriations […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2018

In a rare move, the Senate will meet on Saturday to consider school safety legislation. With the Session clock ticking down, Senate President Joe Negron announced the weekend sitting on Friday morning in a memo to fellow senators. The 2018 Legislative Session is scheduled to end next Friday. A floor session is planned for 10 a.m.-1 […]

Peter SchorschMarch 1, 2018

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Good Thursday evening. If you had bet that gaming was a dead issue for 2018, you lost. Also, Gov. Rick Scott made a surprise visit to the Legislature with the dad of a Parkland victim to oppose arming teachers. Sixty Days […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2018

A line-item to fund veterans workforce training wasn’t zeroed out, state Sen. Anitere Flores said Thursday. The apparent move raised eyebrows among some watchers of the Health and Human Services budget conference. Both chambers seemed to agree on $1 million in the 2018-19 state budget. “We’re just changing the funding source,” she told Florida Politics. “We […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 28, 2018

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Good Wednesday evening, the last of February. Funding cuts have already affected baby deliveries in one rural area, and a bill on the vacation rental industry seems ready for a funeral. Condolences: Sixty Days doesn’t send flowers, but will donate to […]

Tag: 2018 Legislative Session

Bill to help first responders heads to Rick Scott

With little ado, House passes 2018 gaming bill

GOP blocks Democratic attempts to change school safety bill

Tom Lee ‘fed up’ with Joe Negron, top down leadership

Sucker bet? Gambling bills on the move in both chambers

Senate will meet Saturday to consider school safety bill

Sixty Days for 3.1.18 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

Rob Bradley on the budget: ‘A smooth process’

Veterans training still being funded, Anitere Flores says

Sixty Days for 2.28.18 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session