Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Marc YachtAugust 26, 2015

Poverty’s narrow definition relates to income and consumption but a much broader meaning is necessary to understand America’s poor. Federal guidelines qualify individuals and families by addressing income, but don’t provide an accurate depiction of needy families and their living conditions. The better understanding of the poor must look beyond income and at the larger […]

Melissa RossAugust 18, 2015

In the wake of The Florida Times-Union’s powerful dive into dangerous gaps in the state’s mental health care system, advocates pushing for change say they’re readying their strategy to press legislators hard to enact reforms in 2016. “We’re coordinating a statewide advocacy effort, bringing together mental health professionals, advocates, families, and consumers, to really have […]

Melissa RossJuly 13, 2015

Mental health advocates have reacted with cautious optimism to news that Gov. Rick Scott has ordered an independent analysis of the state’s prison system and the development of two prisons to test new ways of handling and housing prisoners with mental health issues. “It’s long overdue,” said Denise Marzullo, president and CEO of Mental Health America of […]

Associated PressJuly 9, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott is ordering an independent analysis of the state’s prison system and the development of two prisons to test new ways of handling and housing prisoners with mental health issues, as well as the general population. Scott issued the order Thursday. He is also directing the Department of Corrections to work with the […]

Tag: mental health
Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zeleneskyy, Vladimir Putin. Image via AP

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 …

Dr. Marc J. Yacht: Our country’s shameful legacy of poverty

Florida mental health summit: “We will impact the 2016 Legislative Session”

Mental health advocates say Scott’s executive order on prisons “long overdue”

Gov. Rick Scott orders independent analysis of Florida prisons