Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMay 5, 2017

The Florida House has rejected a Senate proposal to loosen mandatory-minimum-sentence requirements in a bill that cracks down on synthetic drug traffickers, putting the legislation in jeopardy with only one day left for it to pass. The bill’s primary sponsor, Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, said the purpose of the bill would be defeated without the […]

Associated PressMay 4, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Wednesday to combat opioid abuse in the state, where he said the number of overdose deaths has reached epidemic proportions. Scott’s executive order will free up nearly $30 million in federal funds for prevention, treatment and recovery services. And it comes as a series of workshops […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2017

With the Affordable Care Act — aka Obamacare — already beginning to be phased out by Republicans in Washington this month, congressional Democrats took to the streets in Florida and around the country Sunday afternoon. Congressional representatives held rallies and press events featuring regular citizens whose lives have benefited by Barack Obama’s signature domestic achievement. In South St. […]

Staff ReportsNovember 1, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott demanded Tuesday that the Obama administration speed delivery of $1.1 billion in federal money to fight the Zika virus, “to protect pregnant women and their developing babies” in Florida. Congress approved the spending, which President Obama signed off on in September, but the money has yet to arrive, Scott said in a written […]

Associated PressOctober 20, 2016

The government on Wednesday recommended Zika testing for all pregnant women who recently spent time anywhere in Florida’s Miami-Dade County. The county is the only area in the continental U.S. where mosquitoes have been spreading the virus since the summer. Testing is recommended for pregnant women who lived in — or visited — Miami-Dade since […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 13, 2016

The Department of Health has identified a new transmission zone for locally acquired Zika. Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday that health officials confirmed local transmissions are occurring in a small area in Miami-Dade County. The one-square mile area straddles Interstate 95 and stretches from N.W. 79th Street to the north to N.W. 63rd Street to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 19, 2016

Zika_Mosquitoes.JPG_ne9dCoD-1024x1024.jpg

The Zika zone has been lifted. Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday that Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood was no longer considered a zone of active Zika transmission. In a statement, Scott said the state was able to lift the zone because it has been 45 days since there was evidence of active Zika transmission in the area. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 8, 2016

Sen. Marco Rubio is taking steps to make sure U.S. troops are protected from the Zika virus. The Miami Republican introduced legislation Wednesday to provide troops with additional resources to protect against the spread of Zika. Among other things, the bill — dubbed the Servicemembers’ Zika Protection Act — would make funding available to send insect […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 1, 2016

Congressman Vern Buchanan, in a letter sent Thursday to congressional leaders, called for an immediate vote on emergency Zika funding when Congress returns to Washington next week. “Hundreds of people have been infected in my home state of Florida as the disease continues to spread,” the Sarasota Republican wrote. “Our nation’s leading health officials at […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 11, 2016

Travelers might be worried about Zika, but it isn’t stopping them from traveling to the Sunshine State. The University of Florida’s Tourism Crisis Management Initiative found more than 70 percent of potential visitors are concerned about the mosquito-borne virus. However, the study found about 10 percent of potential visitors have actually changed their travel plans. […]

Tag: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

House puts fate of fentanyl trafficking bill at risk

Florida bolsters response to opioid-addiction crisis

Charlie Crist calls GOP Obamacare repeal without replacement ‘unacceptable’

Rick Scott decries ‘bureaucracy and politics’ in federal Zika aid

Zika test urged for pregnant women throughout Miami-Dade

Rick Scott identifies new Zika transmission zone in Miami-Dade County

Rick Scott says Wynwood no longer an active Zika zone

Marco Rubio pushes legislation to protect servicemen and women from Zika

Vern Buchanan demands immediate vote on Zika funding

Zika concerns not stopping travelers from visiting Florida