Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 19, 2015

Stephen R. Wise served 25 years as a lawmaker, first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1989 and term-limited out of the Senate in 2014. Wise was a skillful lawmaker in the area of education, as chairman of both education appropriation and policy committees he would hold up bills until he thought them ready […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

There’s a development in the Gerald Bailey affair I want to tell you about, but first its FSU Day. Not that I attended the school or anything, but if I’m put on a beat it’s what’s in the front of my mind, you know? Like, I’m all FSU, fascinated by Charlotte’s Web rule-making, intrigued by the personalities […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

A handful of lawmakers broke away from the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to attend the inauguration of John Thrasher as Florida State University’s 15th president. Thrasher earned two degrees from the university, but his path to the presidency began in 1986 when was elected to the Clay County School Board. From there Thrasher embarked on a career where […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2015

A bill filed by Crestview Republican Sen. Greg Evers that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns onto college and university campuses moved along in the state Senate on Monday. The Senate Higher Education Committee voted along party lines to advance SB 176. An identical bill, HB 4005, in the House sponsored by Greg Steube, a […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 13, 2015

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There’s a bill floating through both the House and the Senate that has raised nary an eyebrow, but could have some very real implications for people with disabilities in Florida. The agency that runs the program isn’t speaking about it. Organizations that support persons with disabilities have been lukewarm on the issue. One Tampa woman, though, […]

Ryan RayMarch 5, 2015

A slate of proposals to create a new statewide framework for assisting people with intellectual disabilities made progress in both chambers of the Legislature Wednesday. SB 7030 and HB 935, sponsored by Sen. Kelli Stargel and Rep. Ray Rodrigues respectively were unanimously passed by House Children, Families & Seniors and Senate Education Appropriations. “Establishing the Florida ABLE Act is […]

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 […]

James CallMarch 3, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner spoke with reporters for about 10 minutes Tuesday after the Senate adjourned its first session of the 2015 Legislative Session. The discussion highlighted the differences separating the House and Senate as they begin writing a state budget and addressing other priorities. While the Senate is focused on prison reform, providing access […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

In keeping with the tone set by the Weatherford-Gaetz style of legislative leadership, Senate President Andy Gardiner passed a bill on the first day of Session. SB 2, the Vicky Q. Gaetz Racing Greyhound Protection Act sponsored by Democratic Sen. Eleanor Sobel of Hollywood, was approved by the full Senate Tuesday. “Racing greyhounds are prone to injuries, which can […]

Tag: Don Gaetz

4th Floor Files talks with Steve Wise about shoes, spaghetti, and Ronald Reagan

The day that was in Florida politics — March 17

FSU inaugurates John Thrasher as its 15th president

Guns-on-campus bill advances in Florida Senate

Vocational rehab program could be on state chopping block

Florida ABLE act moves swiftly through House, Senate panels

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

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

Day One with Andy Gardiner: Medicaid, greyhounds, water and a “long way to go”

Senate unanimously passes greyhound injury reporting bill on opening day