Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonApril 30, 2015

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli sent a memo to representatives Thursday telling them he had no intention of calling them back to Tallahassee because of a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court by Senate Democrats. “We strongly disagree with the arguments that were filed by 13 Democrat members of the Senate and believe that the House’s […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 30, 2015

Senate Democrats have filed an emergency petition with the Florida Supreme Court asking the justices to deliver an expedited ruling on whether the House of Representatives violated the state Constitution when they abruptly adjourned Tuesday. Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner and members of the Democratic Caucus walked from the Senate Office Building at the Capitol to […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

While the Florida Legislature debates health care on many fronts, an important health care measure that has been in the works for several years and takes significant steps to better protect one of Florida’s most vulnerable populations, our state’s seniors, is now ready for final passage. That measure is assisted living reform. The assisted living […]

James CallApril 16, 2015

In the tension-filled chambers of a Legislative Session’s final days words matter and poorly chosen ones can stress long-standing relationships. Supporters of the Boys and Girls Club of Florida on Thursday pushed back on remarks Sen. Eleanor Sobel made after Wednesday’s meeting of the Children Families and Elder Affairs Committee. The committee had unanimously approved […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 10, 2015

Elizabeth “Liz” Dudek, a longtime state health care planner and administrator and now head of the state’s Medicaid agency, will appear before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee when it meets Wednesday. Though it’s Dudek’s second step in the Senate confirmation process, it’s the first time she’ll appear before the Senate since her boss, Gov. […]

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 […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

As she portrayed her SB 840 as a mostly technical bill that simply clears up a legal conflict currently circulating in the courts, Sen. Eleanor Sobel probably was not prepared for the maelstrom of criticism from both parties that befell her effort. Following an easy and perfunctory confirmation process for a score of various agency officials — a process that […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 26, 2015

Time ran short Thursday before the Senate Children and Families Committee could weigh in on whether to approve Samuel P. Verghese as Secretary of the State Department of Elder Affairs. Verghese, a New Jersey transplant, began his testimony by telling the committee that being secretary is about “serving others.” “Plain and simple, it’s about public […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

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Last year, a proposal in Tallahassee that would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a license while evacuating an emergency was met with resistance from law enforcement, and didn’t come to pass. After bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes made some tweaks this year, though, the Florida Sheriffs Association endorsed it, and that seemed […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 17, 2015

Despite testimony urging them to be wary of tapping into any increased Medicaid funding, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on Tuesday passed its Medicaid expansion bill that would provide coverage to an estimated 800,000 uninsured Floridians. Though the committee had been given three hours to debate and discuss SB 7044, sponsored […]

Tag: Eleanor Sobel

Steve Crisafulli sends memo to members advising them to stay put

Senate Democrats sue House in state Supreme Court for early sine die

Gail Matillo: Legislature finally could OK needed assisted living facilities reform

Boys and Girls Clubs advocates cry foul over sexual predator remark

Ethics and Elections considers Liz Dudek’s confirmation next week

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

Write-in residency requirements bill goes down in bipartisan flames

Senate Elder Affairs panel delays vote on new secretary’s OK

Senate OKs gun bill allowing concealed carry during emergencies

Medicaid expansion passes its 2nd Senate panel unanimously