Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 […]

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

Although many people in Tampa are hoping a Cuban consulate comes to Tampa, a committee in the state Senate on Thursday officially disapproved of any such diplomatic outpost coming to Florida. The Senate Rules Committee approved SM 866, a largely symbolic bill that puts the committee on the record as expressing “profound disagreement” with President Barack Obama‘s […]

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 […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 4, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter to President Barack Obama Wednesday advising Obama that he will not use state dollars to “backfill” any loss of federal “low income pool” or LIP money used to both help pay for health care programs and to train doctors. Scott assumed the funding would be intact when he crafted his […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 4, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter to President Barack Obama Wednesday advising Obama that he will not use state dollars to “backfill” any loss of federal “low income pool” or LIP money used to both help pay for health care programs and to train doctors. Scott assumed the funding would be intact when he crafted his […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 3, 2015

A bipartisan group of House and Senate members on Tuesday announced their support of a 21-page bill that would better fund community mental health services and, among other things, establish a data collection system populated with information about individuals receiving publicly funded substance abuse and mental health disorders. In kicking off the press conference on […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 3, 2015

A bipartisan group of House and Senate members on Tuesday announced their support of a 21-page bill that would better fund community mental health services and, among other things, establish a data collection system populated with information about individuals receiving publicly funded substance abuse and mental health disorders. In kicking off the press conference on […]

Tag: Rene Garcia
U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart spoke on a range of issues during a Friday luncheon in Pinecrest, from immigration and federal regulations to America's funding questionable United Nations operations. Image via Jesse Scheckner/Florida Politics.

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

Capitol heavyweights aim to slim down in "Biggest Loser" contest

Senate panel opposes opening Cuban consulate in state

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

Rick Scott warns Barack Obama that he won’t use state dollars to “backfill” LIP loss

Rick Scott warns Barack Obama that he won't use state dollars to "backfill" LIP loss

Legislators say now is the time to fix the state’s mental health and substance abuse delivery sytem

Legislators say now is the time to fix the state's mental health and substance abuse delivery sytem