Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayFebruary 1, 2016

The Senate Health Policy committee narrowly approved pair of closely watched health care bills Monday afternoon, auguring much more debate still to come about the proposals. Bills to weaken the state’s “certificates of need” regime for hospital licensing, and to shield patients from a medical collections practice known as “balance billing” passed by votes of […]

Ryan RayJanuary 26, 2016

Voter-approved term limits, perhaps even more than the advent of minority-access districts or the lobbyist gift ban, have radically transformed legislative business in Tallahassee. Their enactment during the Gov. Jeb Bush administration turned future election cycles into rigid leadership game theory boards and, some say, placed a limit on the institutional knowledge of lawmakers, who often become lame […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 19, 2016

A 1 percent cut in the commercial rents sales tax tops the list of legislative priorities for the National Federation of Independent Business, the small-business lobbying group announced Tuesday. “In 2016, we’re focusing on giving back to our state’s economic drivers and helping clear the way for job creators to own, operate and grow their […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 18, 2016

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida (RLC) has announced its 2016 legislative agenda, and at the top of the list is a bill calling for transparency in how political committees help fund campaigns around the state. The legislation, sponsored in the House by New Port Richey Democrat Amanda Murphy and Orlando Democrat Darren Soto in the […]

Diane RobertsJanuary 15, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – David Bowie is dead, Rick Scott is alive, and the whole idiocracy is back in town, hell-bent on pimping for polluters, arming students, and destroying Florida’s Sunshine Laws. Legislators don’t think you should trouble your pretty little head over what they’re doing with your money. The governor agrees. On Tuesday, he held […]

Diane RobertsJanuary 14, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – David Bowie is dead, Rick Scott is alive, and the whole idiocracy is back in town, hell-bent on pimping for polluters, arming students, and destroying Florida’s Sunshine Laws. Legislators don’t think you should trouble your pretty little head over what they’re doing with your money. The governor agrees. On Tuesday, he held […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

Ending “balance billing,” overhauling the state’s insurance laws, and preserving a practice called “prior authorization” are among the goals of the Florida Association of Health Plans for this legislative session. The organization, which represents every health insurer in the state other than Florida Blue, released its priority list on Monday. “FAHP consistently supports legislative proposals that […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 5, 2016

The Florida Senate’s bronze seal, which usually hangs behind the Senate President’s lectern, was removed this week not only to replace the seal’s depiction of the Confederate flag but also in anticipation of still more design changes, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. In October, the Senate decided to remove a Confederate flag from the chamber’s official seal and replace […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

State Sen. Rene Garcia has again filed legislation to create a “Small Business Saturday sales tax holiday.” The bill (SB 1236) was filed Wednesday for the 2016 Legislative Session. The Miami Republican filed a similar bill for last session but it and a House companion died in committees. The idea has been supported by the National Federation of Independent […]

Tag: Rene Garcia

Senate health care panel narrowly advances CON, balance billing changes

Senate panel approves term limits extension resolution

No. 1 priority for Independent Business group is commercial rent tax cut

Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida lays out its 2016 legislative agenda

Diane Roberts: Annoyed legislators drafting more bills to keep government secret

Diane Roberts: Annoyed legislators drafting more bills to keep government secret

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

Health-plan group releases priorities for 2016 Legislative Session

State Senate seal could be changing – again

Rene Garcia proposes tax holiday to help small businesses