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Staff ReportsApril 27, 2017

State workers could get a raise under a proposed budget deal being hashed out by state lawmakers, but it could come at a cost. The $82.9 billion budget deal is expected to provide an across-the-board raise for state workers — their first in about nine years, according to Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, for whom the […]

Guest AuthorApril 18, 2017

Since 1970, the size of Florida’s prison population has grown by more than 1,000 percent, and its corrections system is now the third largest in the nation. Under the state’s rigid mandatory minimum laws, more people are being sent to prison for a longer amount of time, with an annual average cost of $20,553 per […]

Scott PowersApril 18, 2017

In a letter sent today to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, Florida’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson called attention to Florida’s heroin and opioids crisis and sought answers on how Medicaid can do more. In his letter, Nelson declared that the heroin and opioid epidemic is “devastating Florida” and he encouraged Price […]

Scott PowersApril 14, 2017

A new Hispanic consumer confidence survey from Florida Atlantic University finds Latino Florida voters more optimistic than the nation about the economy but about the same in assessing President Donald Trump. The survey of 600 people, conducted by FAU’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative, found that 39 job approval rating for Trump, and a 60 […]

Scott PowersApril 10, 2017

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez will be coming to Florida some time next week as part of a “Come Together and Fight Back” tour of red and purple states. National and Florida Democrats say they still are planning the tour and have no details to provide yet about when […]

Staff ReportsApril 10, 2017

A progressive health care group has its sights set on Rep. Carlos Curbelo. According to POLITICO, Save My Care, a coalition of progressive health care advocacy groups, has launched a seven-figure television ad buy in seven competitive House districts across the country, including Curbelo’s South Florida district. The ad campaign, according to POLITICO, targets five […]

Associated PressApril 9, 2017

The FBI has been reviewing the handling of thousands of terrorism-related tips and leads from the past three years to make sure they were properly investigated and no obvious red flags were missed, The Associated Press has learned. The review follows attacks by people who were once on the FBI’s radar but who have been […]

Associated PressMarch 31, 2017

People who receive cash assistance from the Florida government and fail to comply with work requirements could be left without money for a longer time. A House panel on Thursday advanced a bill (HB 23) that would toughen sanctions for individuals who do not work toward furthering their education or careers while in the program. […]

Jim RosicaMarch 30, 2017

Good news for opponents of this year’s alimony overhaul, and bad news for its supporters: The bills are dead for the year. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, the Naples Republican who’s carrying the Senate version (SB 412), on Wednesday said the chair of its first committee of reference has refused to hear the bill. Rene Garcia chairs the Committee on […]

Associated PressMarch 17, 2017

Florida’s economy is continuing to grow according to new preliminary estimates from state economists. State officials are meeting Friday to draw up new forecasts to predict how much the state will collect in taxes. The forecasts will be used by state legislators when writing this year’s budget. Preliminary forecasts prepared by economists predict the state’s […]

Tag: Florida

Report: State workers to get pay raises, but changes to health benefits could be coming

Ewan Watt, Jordan Richardson: Lessons in lockup — what Florida can learn from Texas

Bill Nelson presses Tom Price on Florida’s opioid crisis, Medicaid’s ability to fight it

Florida’s Hispanic voters optimistic on economy but down on Donald Trump

Bernie Sanders, Tom Perez bringing rallies tour to Florida next week

Report: Carlos Curbelo target of attack ads over attempted Obamacare repeal

FBI reviews handling of terrorism-related tips

Florida welfare recipients could face tougher sanctions

Alimony legislation dead for 2017, sponsor says

Florida’s economy still growing, but budget cuts loom