Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJuly 12, 2015

Florida is not an early adapter. Most of the time, our state takes a “wait-and-see” attitude regarding nearly any health policy, social program or economic strategy that has been attempted by another state’s legislature. In some cases, no amount of positive data on a successful program is enough to convince our leadership to move in […]

Phil AmmannApril 28, 2015

Florida lawmakers approved a medication that could save lives during a drug overdose, with a bill now awaiting Gov. Rick Scott’s signature. On Tuesday, the Legislature passed SB 758/HB 751, known as the Emergency Treatment for Opioid Overdose Act, which increases availability of Naloxone, a drug that immediately reverses effects of opioids — prescription painkillers, […]

Bruce RitchieApril 27, 2015

A bill that Republicans said would clamp down on oil and gas hydraulic fracturing but some Democrats said would provide a welcome mat for the practice passed the House 82-34 on Monday. HB 1205, one of the most controversial environmental bills of the 2015 Legislative Session, passed the House largely along party lines. The Florida […]

Associated PressApril 16, 2015

The House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would let people use experimental drugs — but not marijuana — if a doctor tells them they have less than a year to live. The “Right To Try Act” will only apply to drugs that have gone through the first phase of federal testing, though several lawmakers […]

James CallApril 15, 2015

As the House met in full session Wednesday morning, patient advocates were abuzz about a new amendment allowing terminally ill patients to use medicinal marijuana. Rep. Matt Gaetz tried to attach it to the bill that would create the Right to Try Act, which would allow patients to use experimental drugs and devices that have completed […]

Bruce RitchieApril 9, 2015

A bill that delays a ban on the disposal of septic tank waste on farm fields across the state passed the House in anticipation of a state study of the waste disposal practice. Florida has 2.6 million septic tanks scattered across the state that annually produce 100 million gallons of waste, called septage, when they […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

A House property rights bill prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court case involving a Florida landowner was amended Wednesday to resolve many concerns raised by local governments. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres […]

Phil AmmannApril 8, 2015

The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) recognized six Florida lawmakers this week for their efforts helping individuals and families touched by epilepsy. The EFOF “Champions of the Heart” are state Sens. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, Rene Garcia of Hialeah and Denise Grimsley from Sebring, and Reps. Katie Edwards of Plantation, Matt Gaetz of Shalimar and Matt Hudson from […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Legislation that would authorize the University of Miami and its affiliates to establish a single sterile needle and syringe exchange pilot program in Miami-Dade County as a means to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases passed unanimously in a Senate committee this morning. The bill (SB 1040) is being advanced by Palm Gardens Democrat Oscar Braynon, It’s […]

Bob SparksMarch 26, 2015

The Florida Legislature is deciding, with certain restrictions, whether to allow guns on Florida college campuses. This brief, but controversial, bill (House Bill 4005 and Senate Bill 176) removes restrictions on campus for qualified gun permit holders. Other prohibitions remain untouched, including courthouses, polling places, K-12 schools and numerous others. Republicans generally favor the legislation […]

Tag: Katie Edwards

Gary Stein: Needle exchange is the one-buck no-brainer

Florida Legislature passes expanded access to overdose treatment drug

Fracking regulation bill passes House but records bill stalls

Lawmaker advises dying patients to smoke pot if it helps

House joins medical marijuana debate this session

Bill delaying septic waste ban passes House with calls for study, springs protection

Property rights bill clears final House stop with fewer local government concerns

State lawmakers honored as epilepsy “Champions of the Heart”

Needle exchange program for Miami-Dade advances in Florida Senate

Bob Sparks: Logic, passion and courage describe guns-on-campus debate