Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Ryan RayFebruary 25, 2015

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With even the staunchest usual allies of business like Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce joining together to support increased funding for Medicaid — a move that did not go uncriticized by the even more zealously free-market group Americans for Prosperity — it comes as little surprise that the more levelheaded Florida […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 12, 2015

It’s being called “The Right Place, The Right Time” bill by its supporters. Opponents think the measure, SB 784, is the wrong bill at the wrong time. Either way, it will be one of the most contested health care battles of the session and pits — once again — Florida’s largest physicians association against some […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 3, 2015

A bill that would limit a hospital’s ability to challenge its Medicaid reimbursement in state administrative courts was temporarily deferred by the Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday after several committee members expressed concerns with the proposal. The measure, SB 322, by Senate Finance and Taxation Committee Chairman Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, was filed the […]

Tag: Don Gaetz
Now it's time for Florida to start cleaning up.

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

Florida Health Care Association stakes out 2015 legislative agenda

Right place, right time or wrong bill at any time? SB 784 likely to spur doctors vs. health plans battle

Senate panel defers on bill that would end $30 million in hospital legal challenges