Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Associated PressMarch 2, 2016

A sharply divided Florida Senate is rejecting a proposal to require a unanimous jury recommendation in death penalty cases. The Senate voted twice Wednesday on whether to require all 12 jurors to agree on death sentences. The proposal was rejected by votes of 22-18 and 23-17. Florida doesn’t require unanimous jury recommendations. But the Legislature […]

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 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

$fracking-in-florida-article-e1450126654618-1024x1024.jpg$

A bill to regulate fracking is likely dead after the Senate sponsor said he did not want the Senate Appropriations committee to reconsider the measure. The Senate Appropriations committee on Thursday voted to reject the proposal (SB 318), but lawmakers swiftly made a motion to reconsider the measure. That move kept the bill on the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

The Senate Appropriations Committee OK’d its alimony overhaul bill, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate in the coming days. Among other things, the bill changes the way Florida judges can award alimony. The proposal (SB 668) allows the courts to modify alimony payments if there is a substantial change in circumstances. […]

Scott PowersFebruary 29, 2016

The Senate Rules Committee on Monday approved a memorial urging Congress to authorize use of U.S. military force against terrorist groups. The committee approved Senate Memorial 1710, sending it to the Senate floor with no debate or questions, and only one comment from the public, from a man who was more interested in talking about abortion than […]

Julie DelegalFebruary 25, 2016

The Florida Senate has the chance to repair the state’s death penalty statutes in a way that won’t invite years of litigation. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Florida’s death penalty procedures unconstitutional. Until the Legislature acts, the state’s prosecutors have no legal avenue for pursuing death penalty cases. House Bill 7101 is a […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 24, 2016

The Senate Wednesday passed a bill aiming to improve the Florida Early Steps program, a priority of Republican Senate President Andy Gardiner. SB 7058 brings eligibility guidelines for the Early Steps program in line with federal requirements and defines the program’s goals, which include providing timely screenings of infants and toddlers for developmental disabilities. The bill also requires […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday signaled he would approve a bill to remove and replace a statue of a Confederate army general as one of Florida’s two entries in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. The House passed the Senate’s bill (SB 310) by a vote of 83-32 earlier in the day. The House put aside its version (HB 141) […]

Tag: Florida Senate

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

Florida Senate narrowly votes down death penalty change

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

Florida Retail Federation calls on Senate to support sales tax holidays

Senate panel won’t reconsider controversial fracking proposal

Senate panel OKs alimony overhaul bill

Senate Rules panel endorses use of force against terrorist organizations

Julie Delegal: Legislature’s death penalty “fix” is flawed

Developmental disabilities screening program passes Senate

Rick Scott says he’ll sign Confederate statue bill