Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 21, 2017

A tax cut that would have helped a broader swath of Floridians, including the middle class and working poor, was changed Tuesday to instead benefit the state’s business owners. With no debate, the Senate’s Finance and Tax Appropriations Subcommittee cleared the bill (SB 378) by a 4-0 vote. As initially proposed by Miami-Dade Republican Anitere Flores, it would […]

Staff ReportsMarch 20, 2017

Sen. Dorothy Hukill has been deemed cancer-free, but will miss the remainder of the 2017 Legislative Session out of an abundance of caution. In a letter to Senate President Joe Negron, the Port Orange Republican said her team of physicians informed her that “post treatment tests show no remaining cancer and they are optimistic of […]

Jim RosicaMarch 19, 2017

A tax cut that’s a priority of Senate President Joe Negron is running into resistance from his fellow senators. Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami-Dade Republican and Negron’s right hand in the chamber, is running the bill (SB 378) to pay for a cut in the state’s tax on mobile phone, satellite and cable TV service by […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2017

A House panel has approved legislation to make sure settlement money from the 2010 BP oil spill stays in the Florida Panhandle. The House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast passed a proposed committee bill that, among other things, requires 75 percent of all payments that Florida receives from the settlement agreement between the five […]

Les NeuhausMarch 16, 2017

More than three-quarters of Florida’s corrections officers have less than two years’ experience. In some state prisons, a single CO will be left alone to supervise 150-200 inmates in a jail block. Contraband has become so bad, one random search of (just half) a Dade facility turned up $15,000 in street value of cocaine, seven knives, […]

Drew WilsonMarch 14, 2017

A bill that would require septic tanks to be inspected when a home sells advanced through its first House committee Tuesday. HB 285, sponsored by Brevard County Republican Rep. Randy Fine, originally applied to all home sales, but was amended during the House Agriculture & Property Rights Subcommittee to apply only to regions listed as […]

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 […]

Gary FineoutMarch 10, 2017

Setting up a debate over the future of Florida’s colleges and universities, the state Senate passed an ambitious proposal Thursday intended to lift schools in the Sunshine State into the ranks of elite counterparts nationwide. For college students, the legislation means more financial aid and incentives designed to help them graduate faster. For universities, it […]

Associated PressMarch 9, 2017

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College students in Florida could soon get extra help under an ambitious proposal passed by the Florida Senate. The Florida Senate voted 35-1 Thursday for an overhaul of the state’s higher education system that is a top priority for Senate President Joe Negron. It boosts financial aid and calls for new programs to help universities […]

Peter SchorschMarch 9, 2017

Rock breaks scissors, but scissors cut paper, which, of course, covers rock. Neither Rick Scott, Richard Corcoran nor Joe Negron knew they were playing a game of Rochambeau when making their appointments to the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). But the way final picks played out, they may well have. The CRC meets every 20 years to review and suggest changes to the state’s governing document. […]

Tag: Joe Negron

Senate tax cut proposal OK’d — with one big switch

Dorothy Hukill cancer-free, will miss remainder of 2017 Session out of ‘abundance of caution’

Senate tax cut proposal, as is, may be on the ropes

House committee OK’s proposal to keep BP oil funds in Northwest Florida

Florida prison chief: State losing corrections staff to ‘Wal-Mart,’ creating insecurity in system

House committee OK’s bill requiring septic tank inspection during home sales

Report: Senate could consider changing way nursing homes are paid

Can Florida universities and colleges rival rest of nation?

Florida Senate says yes to more help for college students

Scott, Corcoran, Negron play Rochambeau with picks to the Constitution Revision Commission