Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonDecember 21, 2018

The first candidate has filed for what could soon be a special election to replace Zephyrhills Republican Rep. Danny Burgess. Dade City Republican Randy Maggard on Thursday filed his paperwork to run for Pasco County’s House District 38. Burgess is expected to be confirmed as the next head of the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs […]

Guest AuthorNovember 1, 2018

America’s veterans understand the meaning of those hallowed words like no other group of citizens in this country. Now more than ever, it is every Floridian’s responsibility to ensure that our state’s returning veterans and their family members know that we have their back, and we thank them for their personal sacrifices and their selfless […]

Les NeuhausMarch 20, 2017

A Florida House committee unanimously advanced a first-of-its-kind bill Monday to allow alternative treatments for veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). Treatments to be considered include music, art, horses, dogs, acupuncture, yoga and more. HB 55, sponsored by both Rep. Daniel Burgess and Rep. Frank White, looks to expand […]

Jim RosicaJuly 27, 2016

As expected, Gov. Rick Scott is interested in Glenn Sutphin becoming the next director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A Scott spokeswoman Wednesday confirmed Sutphin, now the acting head, is Scott’s top pick. Cabinet aides had had a brief conversation about the opening at their meeting earlier in the day. Scott and the Florida Cabinet — Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam […]

Peter SchorschMarch 27, 2016

Another year passes, and another Rick Scott Chief of Staff is out the door. The Governor’s office announced last week that Kim McDougal will succeed Melissa Sellers in the top staff position, making McDougal Scott’s fifth CoS in six years. Which makes us wonder: Where are they now? Mike Prendergast, a retired Army colonel, moved over to become Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, […]

Scott PowersMarch 9, 2016

U.S. Rep. John Mica announced Wednesday that his deal to transfer a closed U.S. Veterans Affairs nursing home to Florida has been completed, with his bill rocketing through both houses and getting President Barack Obama‘s signature in less than a month. The home, part of the old Baldwin Park VA medical services complex in Winter […]

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2016

The 120-bed former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home in Orlando’s Lake Baldwin neighborhood would be transferred to the state of Florida and reopened as a state facility for veterans under a bill that U.S. Rep. John Mica expects to get through the House of Representatives Tuesday. The facility is part of the old […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 24, 2015

As the likelihood of additional veterans nursing homes increases, the House of Representatives wants to put into law a selection process that the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs must follow. The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday takes up HB 7045. The bill follows controversy surrounding the selection of St. Lucie County for the […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 24, 2015

As the likelihood of additional veterans nursing homes increases, the House of Representatives wants to put into law a selection process that the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs must follow. The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday takes up HB 7045. The bill follows controversy surrounding the selection of St. Lucie County for the […]

First candidate files to succeed Danny Burgess in HD 38

Mike Prendergast: Duty, honor and country

House bill advances to allow alternative treatments for Florida veterans suffering brain injuries, PTSD

Rick Scott wants Glenn Sutphin for vets’ agency head

Peter Schorsch: Five big stories in Tallahassee last week

John Mica gets feds to transfer VA nursing home to Florida in less than 30 days

John Mica’s bill would transfer closed federal VA nursing home to state

House bill lays out site-selection process for new veterans’ nursing homes

House bill lays out site-selection process for new veterans' nursing homes