Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonApril 8, 2015

The Florida Senate isn’t going to play games with Gov. Rick Scott’s executive appointments in the wake of the Medicaid meltdown that is occurring in Tallahassee. Senate President Andy Gardiner on Wednesday told reporters that he holds Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek in high regard and doesn’t see her nomination to run […]

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 […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 23, 2015

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Monday gave the nod to a bill that would restrict contact lens manufacturers from preventing retailers from selling or advertising contact lenses below a set price. The bill, SB 1400 by Sen. Tom Lee, brought lobbyists from Las Vegas, Utah, and Washington, leading former Senate President Don Gaetz to joke that […]

James CallMarch 15, 2015

At the state Capitol this week the budget begins to take shape and Rep. Richard Corcoran increasingly becomes the man to watch. By the end of the week the Senate will have released its budget allocation and Corcoran and Sen. Tom Lee, the two chambers’ appropriation chairs, will move closer to center stage as a spending plan begins […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 8, 2015

Florida’s beekeepers say honey bees play a sweet role in agriculture and the economy but they need help – and state funding – to maintain a healthy population. The Florida State Beekeepers Association is requesting $3.5 million for an apiary research center at the University of Florida. Florida is the third largest honey-producing state, with […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 8, 2015

Florida’s beekeepers say honey bees play a sweet role in agriculture and the economy but they need help – and state funding – to maintain a healthy population. The Florida State Beekeepers Association is requesting $3.5 million for an apiary research center at the University of Florida. Florida is the third largest honey-producing state, with […]

James CallMarch 5, 2015

Another skirmish in the battle over how Florida’s congressional districts were drawn played out Wednesday at the Florida Supreme Court. Sen. Bill Galvano emerged from the courtroom confident that the justices would uphold a plan approved by a lower court judge. David King represents the League of Women Voters which spearheaded a Fair Districts Constitutional […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 3, 2015

While they are hesitant to implement Obamacare provisions and expand access to health care, Florida legislators overwhelmingly tap into the benefits made available to them either for free or deeply discounted rates. Thirty-six of Florida’s 40 state senators are enrolled in the state health insurance plan and 39 of them enroll in the dental plan, […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 24, 2015

Florida Cabinet members join legislative and business leaders for an in-depth examination of the state’s most demanding issues at the Florida Chamber Board of Governors Capitol Days. The annual two-day event is March 4-6 in Tallahassee’s Turnbull Center, 555 W Pensacola St. Key topics include Florida’s long-term water policy, the Chamber’s plan for smarter healthcare […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 18, 2015

Access to specialty physicians varies greatly depending on location but there will be an overall shortage of about 3,700 physician specialists by the year 2025 and rural areas will be the hardest hit, a study released Tuesday by the Teaching Hospital Council of Florida and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance shows. To abate the impending […]

Tag: Bill Galvano
Image via AP.

Andy Gardiner says Senate won’t play games with executive appointments

Medicaid questions stall John Armstrong’s confirmation in Senate

Eyeball Wars II: Senate OKs bills letting retailers set price for contacts

The week ahead in Florida politics

Bruce Ritchie: Beekeepers stung by 2014 veto, try again for research site

Bruce Ritchie: Beekeepers stung by 2014 veto try again for research site

Five minutes with David King, counsel for League of Women Voters Florida

Most legislators say yes to free or deeply discounted dental and health benefits

Florida Chamber hosts Cabinet, legislators in March for Capitol Days 2015

New study on physician workforce shows supply and demand by region and specialty