Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschApril 23, 2015

A government accountability bill going before the Senate on Friday is vintage former Senate President Sen. Don Gaetz. SB 1372 is a common sense reform proposal that will ruffle a few privileged feathers in order to accomplish a good-government public policy goal: restricting taxpayer-funded “golden parachute” severance packages for hospital employees. But as the bill stands now, it […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 16, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott‘s announcement that he will sue the federal government for withholding Low Income Pool dollars caused a firestorm on Thursday, rounding out what has been topsy turvy health care week in Tallahassee. The announcement drew praise from conservatives such as Koch-brothers backed group Americans for Prosperity which issued a release saying, “the Obama […]

James CallApril 15, 2015

Abortion rights opponents and proponents packed a Senate meeting room Wednesday when the Judiciary Committee took up a proposal to mandate a 24-hour waiting period. SB 724 requires a face-to-face meeting between a physician and a woman to discuss the procedure at least 24 hours before it is performed. “When one makes a major decision […]

Ryan RayApril 15, 2015

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A lengthy debate over a lobbying ethics reform bill ended with with former Senate President Don Gaetz moving to TP his own bill. The proposal — Gaetz’s SB 1372 — would tighten many restrictions on lobbying in Florida. Most notably, it would hold Gov. Rick Scott‘s brainchild — Enterprise Florida Inc., housed within another Scott innovation in […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 9, 2015

The Florida Legislature on Thursday gave the nod to a bill that would allow research in sickle cell disease to be eligible for the Closing the Gap Grant Program. The bill, SB 94, was passed by the House on Thursday by a unanimous vote. It passed the Senate unanimously as well. Sickle cell is a […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 7, 2015

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday delayed Department of Health Secretary John Armstrong‘s confirmation after he refused to answer Medicaid questions. Panel members asked him whether expanding Medicaid would improve Floridians’ health care outcomes or whether he supported the Senate’s alternative proposal to expand Medicaid. Sen. Aaron Bean asked Armstrong to return soon and […]

Bruce RitchieApril 1, 2015

The Senate on Wednesday passed an $80.4 billion budget after adding $35 million for land acquisition to send a message to supporters of Amendment 1. In November, 75 percent of voters approved the funding initiative which is estimated to provide nearly $742 million for water and land conservation programs. The proposed budget had included $2 […]

Associated PressMarch 31, 2015

Abortion rights backers objected angrily to time limits on public comments as a bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period for an abortion got its first Senate committee approval Tuesday. The legislation, SB 724 sponsored by GOP Sen. Anitere Flores of Miami would require a woman to wait 24 hours after a legally required counseling session […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 31, 2015

Smokers beware: There may be one less place you can light up in the Sunshine State. The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday gave the nod to Sen. Jeff Clemens‘ bill that makes it illegal to smoke cigarettes in a car if there’s a child under 13 traveling in the vehicle. The bill — SB […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2015

Bills are gaining momentum in both the House and Senate and to rein in a rapidly-growing insurance scam in which sketchy trial lawyers and remediation firms are getting stressed-out homeowners to sign over their policy benefits and rights after a burst water pipe or similar home emergency. Assignment of Benefits (AOB) is a long-used legal […]

Tag: Arthenia Joyner
Image via Florida Poly.

With adverse hospital CEOs amendment, Senate accountability bill imperfect

Rick Scott’s decision to sue the feds over Medicaid gets mixed reactions

Abortion waiting period advances, constitutional questions unanswered

Lobbying ethics bill stumbles in Senate Rules

Sickle cell bill on its way to Gov. Rick Scott

Medicaid questions stall John Armstrong’s confirmation in Senate

Senate adds $35 million for land-buying before passing budget

Abortion rights activists object to waiting-period bill

Ban on smoking in car with youngsters moves through Senate

‘Assignment of benefits’ a bonanza for trial lawyers and vendors, bad for consumers