Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineMay 5, 2017

The Senate changed its mind Friday and accepted mandatory-minimum prison sentences in a bill cracking down on synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and carfentanil. Senators had stripped the provision earlier in the week, but the House refused to abandon mandatory sentences and sent the bill back. Senate President Joe Negron initially ruled that Sen. Greg Steube’s […]

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 […]

Guest AuthorMay 2, 2017

Facing yet another drug overdose epidemic, the Florida Legislature has an opportunity to move the needle in the right policy direction — finally. As members of the Florida House and Senate are poised to pass new criminal violations, this time for trafficking in fentanyl and synthetic drugs, the heat is on to include policies that […]

Associated PressApril 27, 2017

A crackdown on sober home corruption took a big step forward on Wednesday after House members unanimously voted to pass a bill strengthening the state’s role in prosecuting criminal and regulatory violations. Rep. Bill Hager, a Republican from Boca Raton who is sponsoring the measure (HB 807), hopes this is the next step toward stopping […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Gulliford sounded the alarm about the city’s opioid overdose crisis a few months back, and has mobilized city and outside resources in a fight to stem the epidemic of avoidable deaths. In March and April, Gulliford scheduled well-publicized meetings to discuss what could be done to stem the tide. Now, the next […]

Scott PowersFebruary 20, 2017

Citing reports that heroin and fentanyl overdose deaths and public health costs are exploding in numbers in Florida, Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon called Monday for Florida to declare a public health emergency. In a letter, Braynon urged Gov. Rick Scott to have Florida Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip to declare the public health emergency, which would […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 13, 2016

With the opioid epidemic unceasing in the Sunshine State, a bill in the Florida Senate would tighten penalties against trafficking in fentanyl and synthetic drugs. Senate Bill 150, introduced by GOP Sen. Greg Steube from Sarasota, would also impose penalties related to selling, manufacturing, or delivering fentanyl and synthetic drugs “performed within a dwelling.” This would […]

Tag: fentanyl
Image via AP

Senate bows to minimum-mandatory sentencing for fentanyl traffickers

Florida bolsters response to opioid-addiction crisis

Jason Pye, Sal Nuzzo: Mandatory minimum reform needed in overdose epidemic

House passes bill cracking down on sober homes

Jax Councilman to Governor: Declare ‘opioid emergency’ now!

Oscar Braynon calls for emergency declaration on heroin

Senate bill would strengthen fentanyl trafficking penalties