Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

A bill that would eliminate a state review program for shopping malls, huge housing projects and other large developments passed the House on Friday and is on the way to the governor. Supporters of SB 1216 said the “developments of regional impact” program was burdensome, redundant and actually discouraged the development of planned communities. The Legislature […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

The state of California is known for many things, including red carpets, wine country and high taxes. But recently, the Golden State has also become known for its struggle with a crisis other states like Florida are working to avoid: a severe water shortage that threatens its economy, its environment and the livelihood of millions […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 22, 2015

The Legislature should focus its efforts on securing continued supplemental Medicaid funding for Florida hospitals but not push ahead with a plan to provide health insurance access to uninsured Floridians. So said Florida Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Wilson in a memo Wednesday. The memo, directed to the Chamber’s board of directors and […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

A Senate water bill passed its final committee stop on Tuesday despite continuing concerns raised by counties and environmentalists. SB 918 replaces a Lake Okeechobee pollution permitting program with more reliance on water cleanup plans, sets deadlines for establishing minimum flow levels for springs, sets timelines for springs cleanup plans and creates a statewide advisory […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

Florida’s schools are supposed to prepare our students for success in life. Whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce, we expect that students are ready for the real world based on what they learn in the classroom. But there is one area where we are perpetually failing the next generation: financial literacy and managing […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 16, 2015

Borrowing the governor’s often-used slogan “let’s get to work” House Democrats on Thursday said it’s time for House Republicans and Gov. Rick Scott to work on finding a solution to the impasse on health care that has brought the 2015 legislative session to a grinding halt. At an early morning press conference on Thursday House […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 14, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner made an appearance at the A Healthy Florida Works press conference on Tuesday, joining a group of business leaders supporting his chamber’s plan to draw down Medicaid dollars and provide access to health care for as many as 800,000 uninsured Floridians. With less than three weeks left in the 2015 regular […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

A Senate comprehensive water bill was rewritten Wednesday with changes requested from business and environmental groups, but neither side is yet supporting the bill. SB 918 would establish springs protection zones, provide consistency in pollution regulations dealing with Lake Okeechobee, and incorporate Central Florida water supply planning in state law. The bill passed its second […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

Critics of a wide-ranging House growth management bill say that a section would undermine local development planning by requiring approval of agricultural lands that are nearly surrounded by development. HB 933, by Rep. Mike La Rosa, a Republican from St. Cloud, is scheduled to be heard Tuesday by the House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 25, 2015

A 2015 Legislative Session that already was busy with water bills and Amendment 1 funding just got a huge growth management bill in the House. A House subcommittee on Wednesday passed a sweeping committee substitute for HB 933 despite objections from cities, counties and environmental groups. “We’ve got a lot to consider,” Rep. Mike La […]

Tag: Associated Industries of Florida
Supporters celebrate the opening of a wheel-chair accessible playground at Anastasia State Park. Image via Florida State Parks Foundation.

Bill eliminating state development review program goes to governor

Tom Feeney: Don't import California's water-planning woes to Florida

Chamber says focus should be Medicaid financing, not expansion

Senate bill clears final committee stop despite concerns from counties, environmentalists

Sen. Jeremy Ring: Money matters for Florida’s high school students

House Dems say “Let’s get to work” on Medicaid expansion

Andy Gardiner: Senate will talk Medicaid, health care with “anybody at any time”

Industry, environmentalists say rewritten Senate water bill better, could be improved

Growth bill critics target “constrained” agricultural parcels language

Add growth management to a busy legislative session