Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

News Service Of FloridaFebruary 27, 2018

An effort to expand a needle-exchange program statewide was scrapped Tuesday by a House health care committee, which agreed to extend the Miami-Dade County program to two additional Southeast Florida counties. “In the spirit of baby steps, I encourage you to support this,” Rep. Cary Pigman, an Avon Park Republican, told members of the House […]

News Service Of FloridaFebruary 21, 2018

People with cancer or terminal illnesses and certain trauma patients would be exempted from opioid-prescription limits being considered by lawmakers, under a bill approved Wednesday by a House health-care panel. Members of the House Health & Human Services Committee unanimously approved the bill (HB 21) after tagging on a 161-page amendment. Bill sponsor Jim Boyd, […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 14, 2018

At the peak of one of the worst flu seasons in recent history, some lawmakers are trying to make it easier for sick patients to be diagnosed and treated for the virus. St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes and Orlando Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia are sponsoring legislation (SB 524 and HB 431) that would let […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 1, 2018

There’s a new collective voice in the Legislature for Florida veterans. Composed of 16 state lawmakers, the Veterans and Military Families Caucus is a sizeable, bipartisan effort looking to secure legislation that would benefit former and current military personnel and their families. On Thursday, the newly formed caucus announced their support for 22 pieces of […]

News Service Of FloridaNovember 3, 2017

With the start of the 2018 Legislative Session more than two months away, House members, mostly Republicans, have pitched 114 projects and programs for state money. The proposals range from $30,000 for the Okaloosa County Historical Museum to $2 million for coastal work in Jacksonville Beach to $300,000 for drainage improvements in Miami Gardens. House […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 9, 2017

The Florida Ethics Commission has cleared Rep. Cary Pigman of charges that he misused his position to retaliated against a school principal in his district. The approved a recommendation by Judge June C. McKinney to dismiss the case against Pigman. At least one member of the commission abstained from the vote, while another member voted […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2017

(Originally published Tuesday, June 6, 2017) At least eight House members and one senator won’t be attending some or all of this week’s Special Session, set for Wednesday-Friday. The June meeting is conflicting with some lawmakers’ plans, including one whose brother is getting married out of state. Below is a list, as of Tuesday afternoon, […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 20, 2017

A bill seeking to expand what optometrists could do — namely, performing surgery and prescribing opiates — was an agenda item in the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee Thursday. However, the bill at the center of Florida’s Eyeball Wars went unheard. HB 1037, sponsored by Rep. Manny Diaz, barely cleared Health and Human Services […]

Peter SchorschApril 12, 2017

It’s no secret that the United States is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid abuse, overdoses and deaths, with Florida emerging as an epicenter. Nevertheless, several Tallahassee lawmakers, albeit unwittingly, may soon contribute to this wildfire of a crisis, a casualty of the latest battle in Florida’s Eyeball Wars. Few can argue the […]

Blake DowlingApril 1, 2017

Meeting this week with one of our national security partners, SonicWall, we had a fantastic luncheon with some local media partners, clients and Aegis staff. A big topic of conversation — ransomware. A SonicWall firewall can certainly help minimize risk, but there is no 100 percent protection from the constantly changing landscape of cyber threats. Say […]