Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineSeptember 28, 2016

Will next year’s legislative battle over workers’ compensation rates prove so all-consuming that other state priorities starve for attention? Fears that it might emerged during the quarterly board meeting this week of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which wants the Legislature to clamp down on the assignment of benefits agreements blamed for driving up its own […]

Michael MolineSeptember 20, 2016

One of Florida’s best-respected business leaders read Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature the riot act Tuesday over insufficient support for business development. Charles Cobb Jr. was polite about it — courtly even — during an address to the Economic Club of Florida in Tallahassee. But he was clear that the state’s leaders need to […]

Associated PressSeptember 19, 2016

Florida’s state university system may ask legislators to expand the state’s popular Bright Futures scholarship program to cover summer courses. The Board of Governors plans to discuss this week whether to ask the Florida Legislature to set aside nearly $50 million so eligible students can use the scholarship for classes taken during the summer terms. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 12, 2016

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Florida is likely to basically break even next year in terms of its state budget, lawmakers heard Monday. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission met in the Capitol to hear the latest financial outlook for 2017-18: Present income and outgo estimates leave Florida with a relatively scant $7.5 million left over out of about $32.2 billion in […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 1, 2016

The Florida Bar squared off Thursday against a coalition of corporate and criminal defense lawyers over a change to the state’s expert witness standard. The Florida Supreme Court heard more than an hour of argument on whether to adopt a change to evidence law that lawmakers passed in 2013. The Bar is against it; defense […]

Scott PowersAugust 24, 2016

A group trying to reform — and eventually end — greyhound racing in Florida has announced several endorsements in the upcoming Aug. 30 Florida Legislature primary, including five Republicans and four Democrats. Grey2K USA Worldwide helped fund and promote efforts to get a greyhound protection measure on the Seminole County ballot and has been trying […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 5, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott told state lawmakers Friday he will continue to take steps to protect its residents and visitors from the Zika virus, but said he was unsure whether their federal counterparts would step up to the plate. The Naples Republican updated lawmakers on the Zika crisis during a conference call Friday. During the 20-minute […]

Jim RosicaJuly 27, 2016

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A new task force on the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys will meet in August. The panel will meet on Aug. 3 and Aug. 19, according to a Wednesday press release from the Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources. (A membership list is here.) Under legislation (SB 708) passed this year, the panel was […]

Gary FineoutJuly 25, 2016

Amid a major shakeup pushed by Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida agency responsible for luring jobs to the state is paying nearly a half-million dollars to departing employees. Florida taxpayers are picking up the majority of the cost for severance payments and payouts for unused leave. Records requested by The Associated Press show that 10 […]

Drew WilsonJuly 1, 2016

The Florida Government Efficiency Task Force released a 29-point report Thursday that it said could produce billions in annual savings for Florida taxpayers. “These 29 recommendations, if implemented, will lead to over $2 billion in cost-savings for the taxpayers of Florida as well as improving the functions of our state government,” said Task Force Chairman […]

Tag: Florida Legislature

Citizens Insurance fears being left in lurch during workers’ comp fight

Rick Scott, Legislature scolded over cuts to Enterprise Florida

Florida universities may push for summer scholarships

Lawmakers get grim budget news for next year

Expert witness standard takes center stage at Florida Supreme Court

Greyhound racing reform group endorses in Florida primaries

Rick Scott updates lawmakers on Zika outbreak

Dozier School task force schedules meetings

Florida’s jobs agency gives checks to departing employees

New report suggests ways government efficiency can save Florida taxpayers billions