Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 18, 2016

She’s official. Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday announced he appointed Dr. Celeste Philip as the state’s Surgeon General and head of the Florida Department of Health. The longtime Department of Health official has served as the Acting Surgeon General since March. “Since becoming Acting Surgeon General this spring, Dr. Philip has met with community health […]

Staff ReportsMarch 28, 2016

The Florida Department of Health is pushing back on a report by the Tampa Bay Times this past weekend that says health department had removed hundreds of HIV cases from the books. The newspaper found that the department’s division of disease control lowered the number of HIV cases from 6,147 to 4,613 in 2014. The […]

Staff ReportsMarch 9, 2016

Senate President Andy Gardiner on Wednesday all but slammed the door on state Surgeon General John Armstrong‘s chances of getting confirmed this session. That would make him the first state agency head in two decades to be rejected by the Senate. Asked whether a vote on Armstrong’s confirmation would come to the Senate floor, the Orlando Republican told […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 8, 2016

Don’t count out Surgeon General John Armstrong quite yet. Senate President Andy Gardiner said he is still debating whether the Senate will consider Armstrong’s confirmation. Gardiner said if the Senate were to take up Armstrong’s confirmation, it could come up on Thursday. But, Gardiner said, that’s still a big if. “I’m not sure we’re there […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 8, 2016

The heads of two more state agencies are keeping their jobs. The Florida Senate on Tuesday confirmed dozens of Gov. Rick Scott appointees, including Cissy Proctor, the executive director Department of Economic Opportunities, and Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie. Proctor’s confirmation flew through all of its committee stops. Scott selected Proctor to lead the agency last […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

The same week that the Senate confirmation chances of its secretary – Surgeon General John Armstrong – continue dangling by a thread, the Florida Department of Health issued a news release in advance of an upcoming HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Armstrong has been criticized for, among other things, the state’s overall growing rate of HIV/AIDS. Thursday is the 11th […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 2, 2016

The major public health scare of this year in Florida thus far: the Zika virus. Florida Gov. Rick Scott requested and received this week 500 more Zika antibody test kits from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In a prepared statement Scott said, “Making sure all Floridians stay informed and remain prepared for the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 29, 2016

The Rick Scott-led PR campaign to confirm Dr. John Armstrong as the state’s surgeon general and Secretary of Health continues apace. As of Monday, Scott’s press shop and that of the Health Department had sent out at least 20 ICYMI emails (“in case you missed it”), with a different individual or organization encouraging the Florida Senate to confirm […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2016

A Senate panel postponed Surgeon General John Armstrong’s confirmation hearing Tuesday, but the committee’s chairman said he hopes to take it up before the end of the 2016 Legislative Session. The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee was scheduled to discuss the confirmations of three governor-appointed department heads. However, Sen. Garrett Richter, committee chairman, said Armstrong’s […]

Ryan RayFebruary 23, 2016

The Senate Democratic caucus met Tuesday morning to strategize before a busy legislative day in Tallahassee, where Minority Leader Sen. Arthenia Joyner led her caucus through discussions on a handful of controversial bills set to be taken up later in the day. Of particular interest to Joyner was the Sen. Tom Lee-sponsored alimony bill, SB 250. Joyner advised members to […]

Tag: John Armstrong

Rick Scott appoints Celeste Philip as Florida’s surgeon general

Health department responds to Tampa Bay Times report on changes to HIV stats

The latest: John Armstrong likely out at Health

Senate President Andy Gardiner still considering whether to bring up John Armstrong’s confirmation

Florida Senate confirms Cissy Proctor, Tom Delacenserie

John Armstrong burnishes anti-HIV cred amid confirmation doubts

Florida to get 500 more Zika antibody test kits from CDC

PR campaign for John Armstrong confirmation in high gear

Senate panel delays John Armstrong’s confirmation as surgeon general

Senate Democrats strategize ahead of busy legislative day