Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieMarch 18, 2015

Environmental groups continued Wednesday to criticize a House water bill in advance of a Senate committee workshop while an industry group said the legislation offers a statewide approach to Florida’s water needs. HB 7003 recognizes the Central Florida Water Initiative in state law while eliminating a South Florida Water Management District farm permitting program for […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 17, 2015

House bills that involve oil and gas “fracking” passed their first committee stop with support from some environmental groups and opposition from others and tense questioning by Rep. Ray Pilon. HB 1205 would establish a permitting program for hydraulic fracturing and acid fracturing, which are processes used to extract oil and gas from rock. HB […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 10, 2015

There’s infighting among the “business” ranks this session on the health care front. By the second week of session it’s clear that National Federation of Independent Business, Florida; the Florida Chamber; and Associated Industries of Florida differ on how Florida should approach the loss of federal Medicaid finding that’s used to pay hospitals and federally […]

Ryan RayMarch 5, 2015

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The Florida H2O Coalition – a water policy vehicle backed by Associated Industries of Florida – applauded today’s action by the Florida House of Representatives to pass HB 7003, a sprawling piece of water legislation aimed at protecting ecologically sensitive waterways. “Today, the Florida House took a giant step forward in adopting a policy that will […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 5, 2015

House Republican leaders praised a water policy bill they passed Thursday as a good start while the chamber’s Democratic leader called it bad legislation and joined environmentalists in hoping for a better version from the Senate. HB 7003 passed the House 106 to 9 on the third day of the legislative session after about 45 […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 4, 2015

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee gave the green light Wednesday to the Florida Medical Association’s top priority: a bill that precludes insurance companies and HMOs from limiting direct access to medications without prior approval from a government-housed clinical committee. It’s being called the “Right Medicine, Right Time Act” and it most likely will be […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 4, 2015

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee gave the green light Wednesday to the Florida Medical Association’s top priority: a bill that precludes insurance companies and HMOs from limiting direct access to medications without prior approval from a government-housed clinical committee. It’s being called the “Right Medicine, Right Time Act” and it most likely will be […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 4, 2015

Associated Industries of Florida announced Wednesday it’s forming a “Florida Mineral Rights Working Group” to focus on oil and gas production — with no mention of the even more controversial idea of offshore drilling. The announcement comes as legislation (SB 166/HB 169) has been filed to ban hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which is a process […]

James CallMarch 2, 2015

Marijuana, gambling and a big party were on the state capitol agenda Monday indicating that prohibitionists may find it difficult to be heard during the 2015 Florida Legislative Session. Session begins Tuesday morning at 9:30 when the Florida House of Representatives convenes but the week began with a hearing on a proposed rule for the […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

An Associated Industries of Florida advertising campaign criticizing “special interests” that want Amendment 1 funding for their “pet projects” is confusing, Audubon Florida’s Eric Draper said Monday. Amendment 1 will provide $757 million for water and land conservation programs in fiscal year 2015-16. Approval by 75 percent of voters in November led quickly to debate […]

Tag: Associated Industries of Florida

Debate on House water bill moves to Senate

Fracking bills pass House panel after testy exchanges

Business leaders find no unity on health care this session

AIF group lauds passage of Florida House water bill

House water bill passes as critics hope for better Senate legislation

Senate insurance panel OKs FMA's "Right Medicine, Right Time Act"

Senate insurance panel OKs FMA’s “Right Medicine, Right Time Act”

Associated Industries of FL working group to discuss onshore oil and gas production

The Day That Was In Florida Politics – March 2

Ad campaign from AIF’s water coalition is “confusing,” Audubon’s Eric Draper says