Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorApril 6, 2015

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is, in the words often attributed to Einstein, the definition of insanity. Unfortunately for Floridians, so too are the calls today to expand our state’s Medicaid system under the Affordable Care Act. After decades of failed reforms, this $450 billion federal health care […]

Mitch PerryMarch 31, 2015

A Florida House Committee on Tuesday passed a bill (HB 451) that would replenish a tax incentives program to woo Hollywood film, television and digital productions to Florida, but it wasn’t easy. Orlando Republican Mike Miller is sponsoring the bill in the House, while Nancy Detert from Venice is carrying it once again in the Senate. For the past […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 17, 2015

Despite testimony urging them to be wary of tapping into any increased Medicaid funding, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on Tuesday passed its Medicaid expansion bill that would provide coverage to an estimated 800,000 uninsured Floridians. Though the committee had been given three hours to debate and discuss SB 7044, sponsored […]

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

As we reported this past weekend, no group has appeared more bothered by the prospect of a constitutional amendment giving Floridians the opportunity to install rooftop solar energy on their homes than Americans for Prosperity. The Koch Brothers-funded libertarian group has been feuding with Conservatives for Energy Freedom, who have been spearheading the effort to get […]

Mitch PerryMarch 11, 2015

Like it or not, Hollywood productions, like sports owners, have been able to play cities and states against each other for years to get the best deal for themselves. Tampa Bay area residents are all too familiar with getting burned by giving welfare to rich folks. You don’t have to have lived in the area […]

Ryan RayMarch 10, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz successfully steered legislation to formally legalize “transportation network services” like Uber through the House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee on Tuesday. Debate on the bill – heated at times – lasted about an hour and featured an unusual aspect identified by committee Chairman Tom Rooney: “This has got to be the first bill in five years that I’ve […]

Mitch PerryMarch 9, 2015

Florida lawmakers last year approved a plan to set aside $7 million in sales-tax revenue to help pay for building or renovating sports stadiums. Last month, though, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission punted on the decision on whether or not to fund the four stadium projects before them: EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Daytona International Speedway, Sun […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2015

The drive to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot next year that would allow Floridians more choice about using solar power has enjoyed quick success, and furious push-back from their opponents. On Saturday, Conservatives for Energy Freedom, one of the groups pushing for a constitutional amendment in 2016 on solar, blasted the group Americans for […]

Ryan RayMarch 1, 2015

Session starts on Tuesday, which means three things for Monday: the drink, drop and dash fundraising frenzy before the 60-day curtain falls; last minute roommate arrangements; and the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) pre-Session welcome back reception for legislators, staff and politicos, drawing easily 2,000 attendees each year. Tallahassee reaches full capacity during March and April, bringing […]

Ryan RayFebruary 25, 2015

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With even the staunchest usual allies of business like Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce joining together to support increased funding for Medicaid — a move that did not go uncriticized by the even more zealously free-market group Americans for Prosperity — it comes as little surprise that the more levelheaded Florida […]

Tag: Americans for Prosperity

Chris Hudson: An alternative to Medicaid expansion

Film tax incentives package gets through House panel

Medicaid expansion passes its 2nd Senate panel unanimously

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy main funder for Floridians for Solar Choice

Mitch Perry Report for 3.11.15 — Film incentives bill takes firstst step in Tally

Uber bill greenlighted by House transportation panel

Obama budget would bar tax-exempt bonds to finance stadiums

The battle over solar power heats up in Florida as proponents fend off attacks from Americans for Prosperity

Associated Industries of Florida to host annual pre-Session blowout Monday night

Florida Health Care Association stakes out 2015 legislative agenda