Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonJune 16, 2015

More than $300 million in additional revenue was plowed into the budget late Monday night but, apparently, leaders did not agree to spending any more money on Medicaid. That’s a disappointment to the managed care plans participating in Florida’s mandatory Medicaid managed care program. They were hoping for an increase of $57 million in “grants […]

Gary FineoutMay 30, 2015

Living in a (semi)-tropical paradise has a price – and apparently, not even going nine years without a major hurricane strike will change that. While Florida’s property insurance market has stabilized somewhat since eight storms battered the state in 2004 and 2005, as storms such as Hurricane Wilma caused billions in damages, the state still […]

James CallMarch 9, 2015

It was a day of testing at the state Capitol. The House Education Committee took about an hour to dispose of an overhaul of Florida’s school accountability system. The measure reducing testing and allowing an earlier start date of the school year sailed through with a few concerns expressed and a unanimous vote. While the […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 27, 2015

As Gov. Rick Scott seeks to replace Florida insurance regulator Kevin McCarty, the Office of Insurance Regulation has announced several strategic moves. Although staff changes have been forthcoming for a while, Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times reports they are unrelated to McCarty’s standing with the Governor and the Cabinet. Rebecca Matthews, McCarty’s chief […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 13, 2015

You won’t have to travel to Tallahassee to catch the follow up to the high profile Cabinet meeting in Tampa last week. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has asked the Florida Channel to broadcast the March 4 Cabinet aides meeting so those interested in following the discussions during the Cabinet’s next meeting. The chief issue […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 5, 2015

The much-anticipated meeting of the Florida Cabinet post-Gerald Bailey scandal got off to an intense beginning Thursday morning when Gov. Rick Scott switched on his microphone and apologized, sort of, for the actions involving the ouster of the now-former FDLE head, likely the greatest crisis of his time as governor. “Good morning. I want to […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 1, 2015

Florida Chamber of Commerce leaders will not enter the debate between Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members about longtime state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty. Chamber President Mark Wilson told reporters that McCarty was “doing a good job,” during the tenure of Gov. Charlie Crist, who Wilson called “the worst governor” in U.S. history. However, Wilson clarified that the entire agency failed to do a good job […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 29, 2015

Governor Rick Scott was in Tampa this morning, touting his proposed cell phone and TV tax cut that is designed to reduce the average Floridians cable bill by approximately $43 a year. But that’s not what the press corps was interested in talking about of course, as Scott was besieged once again by questions surrounding […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 28, 2015

Apparently, not even the Florida Constitution can save Kevin McCarty. He’s an insurance regulator in a sinkhole of Tallahassee politics. Here’s what we know about Kevin McCarty – Gov. Rick Scott is finished with him. He doesn’t want McCarty to regulate the insurance industry any longer. This week, after three weeks of stalling and avoiding […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 28, 2015

Apparently, not even the Florida Constitution can save Kevin McCarty. He’s an insurance regulator in a sinkhole of Tallahassee politics. Here’s what we know about Kevin McCarty – Governor Rick Scott is finished with him. He doesn’t want McCarty to regulate the insurance industry any longer. This week, after three weeks of stalling and avoiding […]

Tag: Kevin McCarty
Allison Tant snags a new gig on the Florida parks Foundation.

Lots added to budget but not more money for Medicaid HMOs

Despite storm-free seasons, Florida insurance still pricey

The day that was in Florida Politics — March 9

Office of Insurance Regulation announces high-level changes

Jeff Atwater secures TV coverage for cabinet aides meeting

Rick Scott says buck stops with him in Bailey scandal

Insurance commissioner doing better under Rick Scott than Charlie Crist, Florida Chamber says

Rick Scott again says no Cabinet member objected to his desire to fire Gerald Bailey

Sean Shaw: End Cabinet monopoly, save the insurance regulator

Sean Shaw: End the Cabinet monopoly, save Insurance Regulator