Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineMarch 29, 2017

A proposed constitutional amendment to impose term limits on justices of the Florida Supreme Court and state appellate judges squeaked through the Florida House Wednesday after a majority defeated a series of unfriendly — even sarcastic — amendments. HJR 1, by Eustis Republican Jennifer Sullivan, won 73 “Yes” votes — one more than the three-fifths support […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 28, 2017

The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee passed its version of the public school recess bill, setting lawmakers on two very different paths when it comes to free play. The committee approved a committee substitute for the bill (HB 67) that would allow school boards to include free-play recess for students in kindergarten through third grade as […]

Associated PressMarch 21, 2017

A bill that would require an ignition interlock device on someone’s vehicle after their first drunken driving conviction has passed its first committee in the Florida House of Representatives. The bill (HB 949) passed the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Tuesday. It must go through two more committees before reaching the House floor. The interlock […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 20, 2017

Florida voters appear to support economic incentives and Visit Florida, at least according to a new survey from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The survey found 78 percent of Floridians support financial incentives to “encourage companies to stay in Florida or move to Florida from another state in exchange for creating jobs and investing in […]

Michael MolineMarch 16, 2017

The House released its bad-case and worst-case scenarios for the next state budget Thursday. Neither is very pretty. Florida faces would pay hospital less to treat poor people. The state would build less affordable housing. There’d be fewer prosecutors and public defenders. Museums, historical preservation, and economic development would be slashed. For example: “The long-range […]

Staff ReportsMarch 15, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran has been honored for his commitment to term limits. U.S. Term Limits announced this week that it has presented Corcoran with the Champion of Term Limits Award. The Land O’Lakes Republican was honored for his commitment to term limits and citizen government. “By supporting term limits, Speaker Corcoran has given a […]

William PatrickMarch 15, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran began his two-year speakership in November by promising a “transformational leap” in government accountability and transparency. “The Florida House will set the standard for others to emulate,” he declared. Such pronouncements are often uttered by politicians, especially those who may aspire to higher office. But one week into Florida’s annual legislative session the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation Monday requiring a unanimous jury recommendation before the death penalty can be imposed. Lawmakers passed the bill out of the House and Senate last week, rushing the measure through the process in hopes of fixing the state’s death penalty law. The House voted 112-3 to approve the measure Friday, one […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 13, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January, reaching 5 percent for the first time in a year. The January unemployment rate marks a slight uptick from December, when state officials reported an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent. The statewide rate is higher than the national unemployment rate of 4.8 percent. Despite the increase in the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 10, 2017

A change how the state’s nursing homes that accept Medicaid are paid is still being mulled in the Senate. According to POLITICO Florida, Senate President Joe Negron said his chamber is still changing the system from a cost-based system to a prospective payment plan. Negron said the issue is still being discussed by senators, and […]

Tag: Florida House

Term limits for Supreme Court, appeals judges clear the House, if barely

House panel approves scaled back version of school recess bill

DUI ignition interlock bill passes House committee

Poll: 78% of Floridians support incentives to ‘encourage companies to stay in … or move to Florida’

House spending reduction targets would spread plenty of pain

Richard Corcoran gets nod for dedication to term limits from U.S. Term Limits

House Speaker Richard Corcoran making good on transparency, accountability promises

Rick Scott signs death penalty fix into law

Florida’s unemployment rate ticks up to 5% in January

Report: Senate could consider changing way nursing homes are paid