Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2016

The body that administers Florida’s bar exam discriminates by asking applicants about their mental health, according to a federal lawsuit filed this month. A “John Doe” plaintiff filed suit in Tallahassee, where the Florida Board of Bar Examiners is headquartered. He says the Board violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by asking aspiring lawyers about […]

Scott PowersOctober 4, 2016

Republican state Rep. Mike Miller and his House District 47 Democratic challenger Beth Tuura punctuated an otherwise friendly debate with some sharp jabs over guns, Medicaid expansion, and business incentives Monday in Orlando. At a debate hosted by the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida, Miller began on the hot seat, with a question about whether […]

Larry GriffinJuly 11, 2016

Rep. Linda Stewart, in her run for state senator, shared some ideas in a news release issued Monday on what to do about gun control in the wake of several recent shootings: more mental health provisions and reinstating the assault weapons ban. In her time in the Florida House, Stewart has been a staunch opponent […]

Guest AuthorJune 17, 2016

I, like every American, am deeply saddened by the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Orlando last weekend. Innocent lives were viciously taken, and families were torn apart. There are a lot of questions surrounding the details and motivations of this attack. We do know a shooter, who had previously been under investigation by […]

Ryan RayMarch 24, 2016

A day after signing nine bills into law on Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott gave final approval to 33 bills passed during the 2016 Legislative Session late Thursday morning. The raft of newly enacted legislation includes HB 93 by Democratic Rep. Shevrin Jones, which requires Florida law enforcement agencies to “establish policies and procedures regarding the use” of police body cameras. […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2016

The Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, chaired by Hollywood Democratic Sen. Eleanor Sobel, on Thursday unanimously passed Senate Bill 12, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, sponsored by Hialeah Republican Sen. Rene Garcia to improve the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services. “Our current system of behavioral health services is fragmented […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2015

Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala and South Pasadena Rep. Kathleen Peters held a press conference Monday to announce a pair of bills that would make mental health and substance abuse services more available to Floridians. Latvala and Peters’ legislation aims integrate the state’s mental health services to create a culture of access through any door, and would also […]

Melissa RossNovember 11, 2015

As headlines across the state continue to pile up, documenting the horror show that is Florida’s mental health system of care, state Reps. Janet Adkins and Charles McBurney listened somberly to a litany of problems – and proposed solutions – at a public forum Monday at Jacksonville City Hall looking at the issue. The Community […]

Melissa RossAugust 27, 2015

Honestly, the main thing I can remember was the color of the news car. It was burgundy, inside and out. Merlot. When we heard the shots, we jumped inside and sped off. I threw my purse onto the floor and it stood out against the winy carpet. Then it pressed onto the simple two-way radios […]

Guest AuthorAugust 26, 2015

Honestly, the main thing I can remember was the color of the news car. It was burgundy, inside and out. Merlot. When we heard the shots, we jumped inside and sped off. I threw my purse onto the floor and it stood out against the winy carpet. Then it pressed onto the simple two-way radios […]

Tag: mental health
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Mental health questions on Florida bar application are discriminatory, suit says

Beth Tuura, Mike Miller battle over guns, Medicaid, business incentives

Linda Stewart calls for mental illness and gun control legislation

Randy Perkins: Hatred, terrorism, gun violence and mental health

Rick Scott signs raft of 33 bills into law

Senate committee passes legislation to improve delivery of mental health, substance abuse services

Jack Latvala, Kathleen Peters file mental health reform legislation

Pleas for reform heard at Jax mental health roundtable

I can’t remember his name …

Melissa Ross: I can’t remember his name …