Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallApril 27, 2015

The Florida Senate appears ready to move on a “glitch” bill for the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. The chamber is also preparing to consider increasing the allowable level of THC in medicinal marijuana. Sen. Rob Bradley filed a strike-all amendment Monday to increase THC limits to 15 percent, up from the current allowable 0.8 […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 27, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner on Monday sent letters to federal and state officials regarding Florida’s effort to win approval of a revamped hospital funding formula. The uncertainty over the loss of more than $1 billion in federal aid has resulted in a budget standoff between the House and Senate. The Agency for Health Care Administration […]

Mitch PerryApril 27, 2015

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Florida Houses Budget Chairman Richard Corcoran reinforced fact that he and his GOP House colleagues are not going accept the Senate’s plan to propose a version of Medicaid expansion. Such a plan could allow up to 800,000 Floridians with an income of up to 138 percent of the federal […]

Phil AmmannApril 27, 2015

A Lakeland hospice forced to close by the state over a paperwork error is near reopening by way of a bill passed last week by the Legislature. On Friday, both the Senate and House passed HB 441, giving Compassionate Care Hospice (CCH) on Drane Field Road access to an expedited process to reapply for its license. […]

James CallApril 27, 2015

It’s a waiting game. Transcripts from a two-day hearing on the state’s medicinal marijuana law will be posted Monday. Later this week, briefs on a motion to dismiss the suit blocking implementation of the law authorizing low-THC cannabis as medicine are due in court. It’s been almost 11 months since Gov. Rick Scott signed the […]

Phil AmmannApril 25, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday named Pensacola attorney Coleman Lee Robinson to the First Judicial Circuit Court. Robinson, 44, served as an Assistant State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit since 1994. He was a Special Assistant United States attorney from 2007-2009. Robinson is also a member of the First Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee. “Lee […]

Associated PressApril 24, 2015

Florida’s “growler war” over craft beer may be ending under legislation passed by the state House Friday and ready to go to Gov. Rick Scott. Senate Bill 186, already passed in the Senate, lifts the problematic requirement that craft breweries operate as tourist attractions, a holdover from the days when the law was intended to […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shut off discharges from Lake Okeechobee on Friday in reaction to claims of an algae bloom in water coming from the lake. The federal agency discharges water to prevent weakening the Herbert Hoover Dike around the lake. But the nutrient-rich discharges can cause algal blooms that smother aquatic life […]

Associated PressApril 24, 2015

Michael Pizzi should be restored as Miami Lakes mayor after his acquittal on federal corruption charges even though a replacement mayor was elected, a state appeals court ruled Friday. A three-judge panel of the 3rd District Court of Appeal rejected the argument from attorneys for Miami Lakes that Wayne Slaton‘s 2013 election after Pizzi’s arrest […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 24, 2015

The Florida Senate has not backed off its position that working uninsured Floridians need to have access to health insurance and that the Medicaid supplemental program known as Low Income Pool should remain intact. In a counteroffer to the House’s offer to put $200 million into health care financing the Senate held firm on its […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Image via AP.

Strike-all filed for Charlotte’s Web glitch bill

Andy Gardiner sends letters to feds, state on Medicaid expansion

Health care expert says Richard Corcoran wrong on Medicaid facts

Bill to reopen Lakeland hospice goes to governor’s desk

Investors and growers await Charlotte’s Web ruling

Gov. Scott names Coleman Lee Robinson to the First Judicial Circuit Court

Lawmakers pass bill to aid craft brewers, end growler war

Feds halt Lake Okeechobee discharges after Florida pols sound alarm

Court: Acquitted Miami Lakes mayor should get job back

Senate counters House with Medicaid expansion; other health care items may be in play