Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsAugust 21, 2018

The Food and Drug Administration announced last week that it had approved the first generic EpiPen, and those saving cash on the lifesaving drug can thank U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis for the legislation that allowed regulators to inject some competition into the market. Bilirakis, a Tarpon Springs Republican, was able to get multiple provisions into […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2017

The state Senate passed its medical marijuana implementation bill on Friday, the last scheduled day of the Special Session. The measure (SB 8-A), after technical and “product safety” amendments were tacked on, was approved by a 28-8 vote. Senators also passed, 36-0, a related public records bill exempting the personal identifying information of patient caregivers that […]

Dominic CalabroJanuary 17, 2017

Politicians talk repeatedly about doing things to help create jobs. But, sometimes, doing nothing is the best option. We hope that newly-elected lawmakers understand that less government intrusion is often the key to keeping the American Dream alive. A great example is the 2009 “Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.” This innocuously named effort actually […]

Joe HendersonDecember 2, 2016

Eric Newman read news reports of the fight by incoming president Donald Trump to keep the Carrier air conditioning company from moving jobs to Mexico and thought, hey, why not us? Newman owns the J.C. Newman Cigar Company in Tampa and has been fighting the Food and Drug Administration over regulations that Newman says could […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2016

As dozens of injured people were being sent to Orlando hospitals in the immediate aftermath of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting, thousands in Central Florida and throughout the state immediately went to give blood to those fighting for their lives. However, some survivors of the shooting were prohibited from donating blood to their friends who were shot because […]

Melissa RossMarch 18, 2016

Four new cases of the Zika virus were reported in Florida this week, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 66. To help prevent the disease from spreading further, late Thursday night the U.S. Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson and others to speed development of vaccines and treatments for the disease. […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2016

For almost a decade, Florida has been ground zero in the nation’s struggle against prescription drug abuse. So-called “pain clinics” became a common part of the Florida landscape, leading to an epidemic of the misuse and abuse of opioids. The Florida Legislature responded to the proliferation of pain clinics with new regulations and from 2010 […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 5, 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is vowing to continue the fight to stop the use of the botanical kratom, a plant-based product used as a homeopathic treatment that is beginning to concern authorities and healthcare professionals in Florida. PainMedicineNews.com reports that FDA officials recently seized 90,000 bottles of the dietary supplement manufactured under the […]

Mitch PerryMay 26, 2015

More thsn two dozen anti-GMO activists crowded into Tampa Bay area U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor‘s West Tampa District office Tuesday, asking her to oppose legislation that would prevent states from imposing their own laws requiring mandatory GMO labeling laws. “We want those members of Congress, especially those on the committees, that we want labeling,” Dessa […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Happy Friday to y’all. So much to talk about in the news this morning … The Tampa Bay Times’ flooded the zone in December with a series of disturbing stories about New Beginnings of Tampa, one of the city’s largest homeless charities, which for years has made money off its residents through its controversial “work therapy” program. The […]

Tag: FDA
Pastel colored tropical townhomes

Gus Bilirakis’ efforts paving the way for cheaper EpiPens

Senate passes medical marijuana implementation bill

Dominic Calabro: Keeping cigars in the Cigar City

Joe Henderson: Donald Trump ‘saves’ Indiana jobs; Eric Newman asks ‘why not us?’

Alan Grayson pushes for repeal on limit on when gay, bisexual men can donate blood

U.S. Senate approves Bill Nelson bill to speed search for Zika virus cure

Michael Ruppal: Legislature must authorize use of abuse-deterrent opioids to save lives

FDA vows to crack down on kratom, seizes $400K shipment

Activists go to Kathy Castor’s office calling on her to reject food labeling law

Mitch Perry Report for 2.20.15 — On Rudy, Rick and DWS