Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 9, 2016

Florida voters will be asked to vote on three constitutional amendments dealing with taxes. The Florida Legislature on Wednesday approved three amendments for the ballot. One of the amendments (HJR 1009) would grant a property tax break to any first responders disabled in the line of duty. Another one of the proposals (HJR 193) would exempt […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 9, 2016

A bill intended to end the fight over juvenile detention costs is headed to the governor. The Florida House voted 117-0 to approve the measure (SB 1322). The approval came just days after the Senate voted 38-0 to approve the bill. The proposal requires counties that aren’t considered fiscally constrained, usually more affluent, urban areas, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 7, 2016

A bill expanding medical marijuana now heads to the governor, after state lawmakers spent hours debating the merits of the proposal. The state Senate voted 28-11 to approve a bill (HB 307) that expands the Right to Try Act to include medical marijuana. Among other things, the bill allows eligible patients — defined as someone […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 4, 2016

The Florida Senate began discussions on a proposal to expand medical marijuana in Florida. Among other things, it expands the Right to Try Act to include medical marijuana. Eligible patients, defined as someone with one year left to live, can purchase medical marijuana from dispensing organizations. Under the proposal, dispensing organizations would grow and distribute […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 3, 2016

The Florida House overwhelming voted Thursday to expand medical marijuana in Florida, teeing up a vote in the Senate on a similar proposal later this week. Lawmakers voted 99-16 to approve a bill (HB 307/HB 1313) to expand the Right to Try Act to include medical cannabis. Under the proposal, eligible patients — defined as […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House sent several bills to the Senate seeking to cut health care costs by changing laws regulating health providers. On Wednesday, the House passed a number of bills: HB 37, which restores the patient-physician relationship through the use of Direct Primary Care; HB 85, extending the length of time a patient can stay in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House on Wednesday began considering a bill that would expand medical marijuana in Florida. The House began discussing the measure (HB 307), and Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Fort Walton Beach Republican sponsoring the bill, fielded questions from lawmakers on the proposal. The bill is expected to receive a vote on Thursday. The bill […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House voted 82-37 to approve a bill that allows members of the clergy to refuse to perform gay marriages. The passage came after more than an hour of passionate debate. Opponents questioned why the bill (HB 43) was needed, with some calling it an insult to the state’s gay community. “This bill is […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

Keep sales tax holidays. That’s the message the Florida Retail Federation is sending to state lawmakers as the Florida Senate decides whether to hear the House’s sweeping tax-cut proposal. The Senate Appropriations committee on Tuesday was scheduled to hear the proposal (HB 7099), where senators were proposing a strike-all amendment that, among other things, would […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2016

Public employees will get steered away from Florida’s pension plan under a bill approved by the Florida House. The House voted 72-38 for a measure that would automatically place newly hired public employees in an investment 401(k) plan if the employees failed to make a choice within eight months of starting their jobs. The legislation […]

Tag: Florida House

Legislature sends 3 tax proposals to voters

House votes 117-0 to approve juvenile detention cost sharing bill

Florida Senate approves medical marijuana expansion bill

Senate tees up medical marijuana expansion for vote next week

House OKs in big way bill to expand medical marijuana

House sends Senate a variety of health care cost-saving measures

Florida House begins discussion on medical marijuana bill

Florida House votes 82-37 to approve “Pastor Protection” Act

Florida Retail Federation calls on Senate to support sales tax holidays

House approves pension changes for state workers