Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Legislature overwhelmingly approved the state’s $82.3 billion spending plan, with just one lawmaker voting against it. The Senate passed the fiscal 2016-16 state budget shortly after 5 p.m. Friday with no debate. The House approved the budget 119-1 earlier in the day. State Rep. John Tobia, a Melbourne Beach Republican, was the lone […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli bid farewell to his colleagues Thursday, thanking his staff and fellow for making the House “an incredible institution.” “It has been a true honor to serve with all of you,” Crisafulli said. “The past two years have been challenging; they have brought on extraordinary times. But I am so proud […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

A controversial bill that shields clergy members who refuse to perform gay marriages is now law. The so-called “Pastor Protection Act” was one of more than two dozen bills Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Thursday. Rep. Scott Plakon, the House sponsor, said this month the proposal offered protections to clergy who have concerns about […]

Associated PressMarch 9, 2016

Couples shacking up together would no longer be breaking the law under a bill passed by the Florida Legislature. The Florida House on Wednesday voted 112-5 to repeal the state’s largely unenforced prohibition on cohabitation. The bill heads now to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott. Under a law that has been on the books […]

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 […]

Tag: Florida House

Legislature approves $82.3 billion budget, adjourns Sine Die

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli says goodbye to “an incredible institution”

“Pastor Protection” bill now state law

Shacking up: Florida Legislature repeals cohabitation ban

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