Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

Employers can sign prepaid contracts with primary care providers on behalf of their employees and it won’t be considered an insurance policy under an amended bill approved by a House subcommittee on Wednesday. The bill, HB 7047, was amended, with little to no debate and advanced by the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee by a […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 18, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed four new members to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. The council covers four counties including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Manatee. The group is one of 11 regional planning councils across the state that aims to serve residents and member governments by providing a forum to foster communication, coordination, and collaboration in […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 18, 2015

A controversial gun bill filed by St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes has advanced in the Senate. Senate Bill 290 would allow people who don’t have concealed carry permits in Florida to carry firearms on their person during a mandatory evacuation. A similar bill died in the Senate this past year. Brandes made some changes to his […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 18, 2015

A controversial gun bill filed by St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes has advanced in the Senate. Senate Bill 290 would allow people who don’t have concealed carry permits in Florida to carry firearms on their person during a mandatory evacuation. A similar bill died in the Senate this past year. Brandes made some changes to his […]

James CallMarch 18, 2015

Florida for Care declared Wednesday a Day of Compassion at the state capitol. More than 20 supporters of two medicinal marijuana bills fanned out across the Capitol Complex early Wednesday to lobby lawmakers on behalf of HB 683 and SB 528. “They came from all over the state,” said Kari Hicks of Florida For Care. “There are people […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

It was the insurance industry versus the provider community when a House subcommittee took up a bill that prohibits balance billing for emergency services on Wednesday, with the insurance and HMO industry emerging the victor. Over the objections of the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Hospital Association, the Florida Radiological Association, and the Florida Chapter […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2015

A bill exempting taxpayers’ email addresses from the state’s open record law advanced in the Florida Senate on Wednesday. Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala argues the proposal protects consumers from scammers who use digital skills to defraud people. Latvala says he’s sponsoring the bill because tax collectors requested he do so. Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner questioned the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2015

Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate next year, but lets hope that doesn’t “pave the way” for fellow South Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy to become the groomed nominee in 2016. As a Tampa Bay area-based political reporter, I have to admit knowing very little about […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

The House released a health care budget on Tuesday that contains no supplemental Medicaid funding traditionally used to help pay hospitals, federally qualified health centers, graduate medical education, and even prepaid health plans. House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Matt Hudson said it would be “premature” for the House to include supplemental, or Low […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

The hot dogs were free, the National Champion soccer team was on hand, as well as the tournament-bound women’s basketball team, but the star of the midday gathering in the Capitol courtyard was Farhan “Ronny” Ahmed. The 21-year-old Ahmed was shot three times and left paralyzed from the waist down when a gunman opened fire at […]

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New health option? Bill allows employers to enter direct primary care contracts

Rick Scott appoints 4 to Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

Jeff Brandes' concealed carry gun bill moves through Senate

Jeff Brandes’ concealed carry gun bill moves through Senate

Florida for Care walking Capitol halls today for medicinal marijuana

Round one of emergency care and billing tussle goes to insurers over docs

Jack Latvala bill to exempt taxpayers’ email addresses from open records law moves forward

Mitch Perry Report for 3.18.15 — No DWS, no problem, right Dems?

House releases budget with no supplemental funds and deep cuts to Department of Health

FSU rallies at Capitol