Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2017

Among the claim bills advanced Thursday is one approving $3.75 million payment in the death of Nubia Barahona. The payment from the Department of Children and Families would also compensate for injuries to Nubia’s twin brother Victor Barahona. The legislation, passed by the House Judiciary Committee, was filed by Miami Republican Jose Felix Diaz and Plantation Democrat Katie […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2017

Two Republican lawmakers are still waiting for a response from the Florida Development Finance Corporation about its approval of a $600 million private equity bond application for All Aboard Florida. The rail project is seeking to provide passenger service from Miami to West Palm Beach and, eventually, service to Orlando. FDFC approved the issuance of […]

Jim RosicaApril 12, 2017

A proposed conference to resolve differences between the House and Senate gambling bills, originally planned for this week, was postponed till next week. That’s because, as of Wednesday, lawmakers continued to talk with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has six casinos in the state. One lobbyist suggested an end game: Passing only a new […]

Staff ReportsApril 10, 2017

Floridians for Government Accountability is launching a direct mail campaign targeting Sen. Anitere Flores over insurance premiums. The direct mail campaign comes about a week after the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial that indicated Flores, the chairwoman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, would be to blame if insurance rates increased. “Paying too […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 4, 2017

Recess scored a big win the Senate, but the proposal faces an uphill climb in the House. The Senate voted 36-0 to approve a bill (SB 78) that would require school districts provide students in kindergarten through fifth grade with 20 minutes of recess each day. The vote marks a big milestone in the Senate, […]

Mitch PerryApril 3, 2017

A bill that would automatically expunge a youth’s arrest record after a diversion program is completed passed through a House committee on Monday, but goes in a different direction than its Senate companion. The House bill sponsored by Seminole Republican Larry Ahern and Deltona Republican David Santiago (HB 205) would allow police officers the discretion to decide when offering a first time juvenile […]

Brendan FarringtonApril 3, 2017

There’s widespread agreement between lawmakers, law enforcement and child advocates that the state can do more to help juveniles who make stupid mistakes to stay out of trouble and avoid a criminal record that could follow them the rest of their lives. But what approach it should take is still a matter of disagreement. “Everybody’s […]

Staff ReportsMarch 29, 2017

Some feathers may have been ruffled in Wednesday’s Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, as the committee discussed, and later adopted, budget recommendations that will almost surely be included in the Senate’s budget. One big ticket item up for discussion was whether a plan, known as the prospective payment plan, that would fundamentally […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 28, 2017

The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee passed its version of the public school recess bill, setting lawmakers on two very different paths when it comes to free play. The committee approved a committee substitute for the bill (HB 67) that would allow school boards to include free-play recess for students in kindergarten through third grade as […]

Erin ClarkMarch 27, 2017

The Florida Senate Education Committee dedicated most of its weekly meeting to tackling issues of assessment bloat running counter to students’ best interests. In the House, the motto has been “fewer, better tests.” Similarly, in the Senate, the bills that have spurred the most comment from committee members are those that address Florida’s testing protocols. At […]

Tag: Anitere Flores
Aerial shot captures the devastating impact of a hurricane on a small town, showcasing flooded streets and submerged homes after the storm.

House advances claim bill for abuse survivor Victor Barahona

FDFC silent after lawmakers question All Aboard Florida bonding process

Legislature still hasn’t begun conferencing on gambling legislation

Floridians for Government Accountability launches mail campaign targeting Anitere Flores over AOB

Senate OKs mandatory recess bill

Bill to automatically expunge juvenile arrest records passes, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough

Helping kids who make mistakes: Florida considering 2 ideas

Universal support for changes to nursing home payments? Not so fast …

House panel approves scaled back version of school recess bill

Senate Education Committee talks testing tweaks