Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayApril 1, 2015

Florida’s so-called “dreamers”- undocumented youth who were brought to this country as children – received a rude April Fools joke from the Senate majority this afternoon. Sen. Darren Soto introduced an amendment to SB 2500, better known as the Senate budget proposal, that would have prevented Attorney General Pam Bondi from pursuing a lawsuit against the Obama […]

Gary FineoutMarch 31, 2015

Amid growing budget discord that could derail this year’s session of the Florida Legislature, Senate President Andy Gardiner dispatched two top Republican senators to Washington to talk with federal officials about more than $1 billion in health care grants the state could soon lose. Gardiner, an Orlando Republican who works for a hospital, took the […]

Guest AuthorMarch 29, 2015

The uncertain future of Medicaid financing has received much attention during the past few weeks of the legislative session. Adding to that uncertainty is an unhealthy dose of speculation and misinformation about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and federal reliability. As chairman of the Florida Senate’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Appropriations […]

Guest AuthorMarch 26, 2015

The uncertain future of Medicaid financing has received much attention during the past few weeks of the Legislative Session. Adding to that uncertainty is an unhealthy dose of speculation and misinformation about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and federal reliability. As chairman of the Florida Senate’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Appropriations […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

President Barack Obama‘s diplomatic breakthrough with Cuba in December has been met mostly with approval in the Tampa Bay area from political and business leaders. A Pinellas County delegation visited the communist island for the first time in January, while the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is planning another visit in May. Tampa area U.S. […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 17, 2015

Despite testimony urging them to be wary of tapping into any increased Medicaid funding, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on Tuesday passed its Medicaid expansion bill that would provide coverage to an estimated 800,000 uninsured Floridians. Though the committee had been given three hours to debate and discuss SB 7044, sponsored […]

Peter SchorschMarch 17, 2015

Last week, the Florida Bankers Association released a sheet of talking points aimed at coalescing opposition around Sen. Rene Garcia‘s legislative initiative – SB 1154 – that would allow credit unions to accept deposits from public sources. The bankers’ document paints the member-owned cooperatives as avaricious money-changers feeding at the public trough, though the FBA’s own members – […]

Peter SchorschMarch 17, 2015

Last week, the Florida Bankers Association released a sheet of talking points aimed at coalescing opposition around Sen. Rene Garcia‘s legislative initiative – SB 1154 – that would allow credit unions to accept deposits from public sources. The bankers’ document paints the member-owned cooperatives as avaricious money-changers feeding at the public trough, though the FBA’s own members – […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 17, 2015

Florida’s GOP legislative leaders remain at odds over how to solve the state’s $2 billion problem with its program to help out hospitals. As the House and Senate prepare to roll out competing versions of a new state budget there are no clear signs of how the two chambers plan to deal with the potential […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 16, 2015

Legislative heavyweights lined up outside the third floor Capitol clinic on Monday. The four most influential legislators in health care — Reps. Jason Brodeur and Matt Hudson and Sens. Rene Garcia and Aaron Bean — weren’t talking Low Income Pool, telemedicine, Medicaid expansion, or any other health care issues, though. They lined up to weigh in and compete in the 2015 Biggest […]

Tag: Rene Garcia

Senate passes language preventing Pam Bondi suit against feds, takes it back

Florida senators meet with feds on health care money

Rene Garcia: Setting the record straight on Florida's Medicaid program

Rene Garcia: State’s healthcare funding faces critical questions

Senate denounces Obama overture to Cuba

Medicaid expansion passes its 2nd Senate panel unanimously

Florida Bankers' attacks on credit union plan are pound foolish

Florida Bankers’ attacks on credit union plan are pound foolish

Lack of clear direction on hospital funding stymies budget action

Capitol heavyweights aim to slim down in “Biggest Loser” contest