Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 19, 2015

Stephen R. Wise served 25 years as a lawmaker, first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1989 and term-limited out of the Senate in 2014. Wise was a skillful lawmaker in the area of education, as chairman of both education appropriation and policy committees he would hold up bills until he thought them ready […]

James CallMarch 18, 2015

The Senate Appropriations Chairman is drawing a line in the sand. Sen. Tom Lee wants clarity on health care spending before moving forward on building a budget, and both Sen. Aaron Bean and Sen. Renee Garcia are looking for the money to help him produce a balanced spending plan. The federal Low Income Pool program expires in June, and the more than […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

It was a day of announcements at the state Capitol. Morning broke with former legislator Joe Scarborough announcing that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is selling his Tallahassee house. Details here. Rubio had purchased a three-bedroom/two bath house with fellow lawmaker David Rivera in 2005. It has been a bit of a headache for Rubio: The two were unable to unload […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 16, 2015

Legislative heavyweights lined up outside the third floor Capitol clinic on Monday. The four most influential legislators in health care — Reps. Jason Brodeur and Matt Hudson and Sens. Rene Garcia and Aaron Bean — weren’t talking Low Income Pool, telemedicine, Medicaid expansion, or any other health care issues, though. They lined up to weigh in and compete in the 2015 Biggest […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 16, 2015

Legislative heavyweights lined up outside the third floor Capitol clinic on Monday. The four most influential legislators in health care — Reps. Jason Brodeur and Matt Hudson and Sens. Rene Garcia and Aaron Bean — weren’t talking Low Income Pool, telemedicine, Medicaid expansion, or any other health care issues, though. They lined up to weigh in and compete in the 2015 Biggest […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 15, 2015

If only marijuana decriminalization were the goal when Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli recently released a “joint agenda.” But no, turns out they were promoting their “5-point Work Plan 2015” for the in-progress legislative session. The new Republican legislative leaders know issues such as health care expansion and environmental protection are […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2015

A smoldering battle in the Florida Legislature over the manner in which four major tobacco companies will have to pay up to more than 4,000 claimants has taken an early step towards its climax: Bills by Sen. Garrett Richter and Rep. David Santiago have escaped the Session slush pile and been referred to committees in both […]

Guest AuthorMarch 9, 2015

Last week, the Florida Senate and Senate President Andy Gardiner took a significant step on an issue with profound impacts on Florida taxpayers, businesses and, ultimately, our economy. The Senate filed SPB 7044, the “Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange” (FHIX), based upon A Healthy Florida Works Plan. This plan was thoughtfully proposed by a bipartisan coalition of business owners, hospitals, community leaders and individuals who […]

James CallMarch 9, 2015

News will take a backseat to humor Tuesday night when the Capitol Press Corps presents the 60th edition of the sometimes Annual Press Skits; a tradition that began when the senior members of Florida’s political/media class were toddlers. “It’s become ingrained in the culture of Tallahassee, said Steve Bousquet, appearing in his 21st Press Skits show. […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 6, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner, who began the session by saying the state needed to have a “discussion” about Medicaid expansion, explained in a memo to senators why he was pushing ahead with a bill that would extend coverage to 800,000 Floridians. The Thursday memo was accompanied with a detailed breakdown of the lengthy bill that […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

4th Floor Files talks with Steve Wise about shoes, spaghetti, and Ronald Reagan

Five minutes with Tom Lee — Talk of playing cards while building a budget

The day that was in Florida politics — March 16

Capitol heavyweights aim to slim down in “Biggest Loser” contest

Capitol heavyweights aim to slim down in "Biggest Loser" contest

Daniel Tilson: Legislative leaders' 2015 work plan insults our intelligence

Bills to alter tobacco settlements achieve footing in process

Tom Feeney: Use 'A Healthy Florida Works' to reform medical coverage

Annual Capitol Press Skits skewer Tallahassee elite

Senate President Andy Gardiner memos members: "We have the obligation to make coverage affordable …"