Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMay 17, 2018

The University of Central Florida has been awarded a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for the university’s RESTORES Trauma Management Therapy Program working with veterans, service members, and first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Winter Park’s U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy announced the award Wednesday evening via Twitter. She and Orlando’s U.S. Rep. Darren […]

Peter SchorschApril 25, 2018

Tech companies say opening up the radio frequencies used by first responders and infrastructure workers could bring better mobile data speeds to consumers, and the FCC seems to be giving it some thought. Apple, Cisco, HP, Facebook, Google, Intel, and others made their pitch to the FCC last year, asking the commission to look into […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 23, 2018

The loss of life is priceless, but it seems the federal government is looking to mitigate other, tangible costs of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that left 17 dead. On Monday afternoon the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, or BJA, announced it would award a $1 million grant to the Florida Department […]

Drew WilsonMarch 16, 2018

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells picked up and endorsement for his re-election bid Friday from the Pasco County Professional Fire Fighters. “The Executive Board for Pasco County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 4420, has voted unanimously to endorse your candidacy for Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, District 4,” group VP Joe Russo said in […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott was in Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon signing two bills that will help military members get jobs in Florida. While he was in town, he also lent his support to a potential constitutional amendment that would benefit families of first responders and service members who gave their lives in duty. HB 29, the “Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

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Gov. Rick Scott said he will sign a measure to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Scott made the announcement early Wednesday at a “Ringing of the Bell” ceremony for Florida’s fallen firefighters at The Capitol. The legislation (SB 376) is a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s Fire […]

Drew WilsonMarch 5, 2018

After going back and forth with similar bills, the Legislature cleared a proposal Monday that would require nursing homes to have backup generators on site to keep the air conditioning running during power outages. The bill, HB 7099, is a priority of Gov. Rick Scott, who issued a similar requirement via an emergency rule following […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

A measure to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder has passed the Legislature unanimously and now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman on Monday said the governor will “review the legislation” when received, but would not commit to Scott’s approval. The legislation is a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also […]

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2018

Without debate, the Florida Senate on Saturday unanimously passed a bill to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder. The measure (SB 376) was among several added to a rare weekend sitting to handle pending school safety legislation. That’s in response to last month’s deadly shooting at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas […]

Staff ReportsMarch 1, 2018

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s Fire Marshal, Thursday applauded a Senate panel’s unanimous approval of a workers’ compensation insurance bill that could provide expanded benefits to first responders with job-related post-traumatic stress disorder. “Last year, four states, including Texas, passed measures that give first responders the needed access to mental health benefits […]

Tag: first responders
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

UCF post-traumatic stress clinic notches $10M grant

Tech company priority could wreck first responder radios, group says

Feds chip in $1M for Parkland first responders

Pasco fire fighters back Mike Wells for re-election

Rick Scott signs veterans’ bills, pushes for constitutional amendment in Jacksonville

Rick Scott says he’ll sign first responders’ benefits bill

Capitol reax: Nursing homes, first responders, arming teachers, busting unions

Bill to help first responders heads to Rick Scott

Senate passes PTSD benefits for first responders

Jimmy Patronis can’t stop, won’t stop for first responders