Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonApril 1, 2015

Regulations for pain management clinics are set to expire in January, but the Florida Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would keep the requirements intact indefinitely. Sponsored by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, SB 450, passed unanimously and without any debate or controversy. A companion bill, HB 4017, has cleared all the committees of reference and […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 30, 2015

It was battle of the sexes at a joint legislative panel meeting Monday morning with a bipartisan, bicamaral group of female legislators supporting a woman as the state’s new auditor general and a like group of men supporting the male candidate. It took a second vote — and Joint Legislative Committee Chairman Rep. Joseph Abruzzo […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 30, 2015

State senators and representatives on a panel that oversees state audits responded angrily on Monday when they were told top officials at the Florida Municipal Power Agency were too busy to discuss audit findings that describe lavish spending and risky fuel-trading schemes. Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Democrat from Wellington who chairs the Joint Legislative Audit […]

Guest AuthorMarch 26, 2015

While attending a college information program with my high school son recently, I heard an admissions officer say something that every Florida legislator ought to hear. “The three most important letters in the college selection process aren’t S-A-T or A-C-T,” the admissions officer observed. “The three most important letters are F-I-T.” The admission officer’s point […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 11, 2015

To abate a $6.9 million shortfall the Florida Department of Health has trimmed back from 22 to seven the number of Tallahassee staff administering the Early Steps program, which helps infants and toddlers with special health care needs. Department of Health Secretary John Armstrong told members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services […]

Ryan RayJanuary 29, 2015

Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto of Ft. Myers has filed legislation to change course in a difficult area of state law — the legal status of child abuse evidence recorded unbeknownst to the abuser. A recent Florida Supreme Court opinion overruled the conviction of a Lee County man found guilty of sexually abusing his stepdaughter, finding that […]

Ryan RayJanuary 26, 2015

Tracy Pafford has filed for election in a bid to succeed her term-limited husband, House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, in West Palm-based House District 86. The 46-year-old Palm Beach native joins Wellington hopefuls Stuart Mears, a Republican, and Democrat Matt Willhite, who have also announced their intentions to run. Her decision comes as her husband […]

Christine Jordan SextonJanuary 23, 2015

State Sen. Mike Fasano is considered the father of Florida’s pill mill laws, having worked tirelessly in 2009, 2010, and 2011 on the issue. The former senator was shocked to hear on Thursday that portions of Florida’s law expire in January 2016 unless the Florida Legislature passes a bill to keep them intact. “That amazes […]

Christine Jordan SextonJanuary 6, 2015

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday took testimony from doctors and patients who want the state of Florida to limit the ability of insurance companies to deny medications or require prior authorization for certain drugs. They appear to have a sympathetic ear in committee Chairman Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-For Myers, who two years […]

Peter SchorschDecember 8, 2014

The incoming class of Florida House Republicans deserves recognition for, as the Miami Herald‘s Kathleen McGrory notes, it doesn’t fit the national GOP stereotype. But to label the freshmen GOP as “diverse,” as McGrory did on Sunday, is beyond a stretch. “New Republican lawmakers reflect Florida’s diversity,” reads the headline of McGrory’s piece in Sunday’s Herald. […]

Tag: Lizbeth Benacquisto

Senate keeps pain clinic regulations intact

Legislators vote along gender lines to hire new auditor general

Legislators pound FMPA after top officials fail to appear

William Mattox: Legislature should empower parents to enroll child in school that best fits

DOH chief John Armstrong give update on Early Step programs, staff cuts

Lizbeth Benacquisto introduces bill to tweak evidence standards in child abuse cases

Tracy Pafford files to succeed husband Mark in House District 86

Pill mill law expiration catches former lawmaker Mike Fasano by surprise

Senate committee looks to curb prior authorization for meds

Regarding incoming Florida House Republicans, reporter Kathleen McGrory may need a refresher on the definition of "diverse"