Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonApril 8, 2015

The Florida Senate isn’t going to play games with Gov. Rick Scott’s executive appointments in the wake of the Medicaid meltdown that is occurring in Tallahassee. Senate President Andy Gardiner on Wednesday told reporters that he holds Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek in high regard and doesn’t see her nomination to run […]

James CallApril 8, 2015

Florida’s job-poacher-in-chief is at it again. Enterprise Florida has been running an ad campaign in California, flaunting the Sunshine State’s economic climate, in advance of a trade mission by Gov. Rick Scott next week. “Florida is Ready!” touts investments in the state’s ports and roads, encouraging California shipping companies to re-route businesses through Florida. “With our low tax, business-friendly […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 8, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday said the state of Florida did not cut off negotiations with the federal government and put blame for the Medicaid meltdown on the federal government instead. Scott told a group of reporters Wednesday afternoon that negotiators with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told Medicaid Deputy Director Justin Senior […]

Bill PrescottApril 8, 2015

Jesse Panuccio is now a step closer to remaining executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. With a 5-1 vote Wednesday, the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Committee cleared Panuccio’s nomination. Sen. Jack Latvala offered no comment when asked why he would not recommend Panuccio to remain as Florida’s economic developer in […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 7, 2015

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday delayed Department of Health Secretary John Armstrong‘s confirmation after he refused to answer Medicaid questions. Panel members asked him whether expanding Medicaid would improve Floridians’ health care outcomes or whether he supported the Senate’s alternative proposal to expand Medicaid. Sen. Aaron Bean asked Armstrong to return soon and […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

With hundreds of lobbyists in suits and Parrotheads in flower-patterned shirts cheering in applause, singer Jimmy Buffett urged Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature to buy land to protect the Everglades. “It’s good to be back in Tallahassee,” Buffett said before playing an acoustic version of “Changes in Lattitudes.” “It’s good to be raising a […]

Phil AmmannApril 7, 2015

Florida news flash: Gov. Rick Scott is a double flip-flopper. While that in itself may not be surprising to some, this time it is significant why he reversed course — Medicaid expansion for healthcare to nearly 1 million low-income and uninsured Floridians. Now, like Marie Antoinette, he tells the poor to “eat cake,” in Bill […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

Tom Steyer, a California billionaire who spent nearly $20 million in a failed attempt to block Gov. Rick Scott’s November re-election because of his stance on climate change, plans to target battleground states including Florida during the 2016 presidential race, his political strategists said Monday. Steyer’s NextGen Climate PAC will feature sea level rise in Miami […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2015

South Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy has started off quickly in his quest to become the Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016, but the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida (DPCF) has a message to the rest of the party — not so fast. “When it comes to the race shaping up to […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 6, 2015

Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner stands committed to expanding Medicaid access even though leaders in the Florida House — and now Gov. Rick Scott — don’t support the effort. Gardiner issued a statement Monday saying that the Florida Senate will continue to move ahead with its proposal called the Florida Health Insurance Exchange Program — […]

Tag: Rick Scott
No on 4

Andy Gardiner says Senate won’t play games with executive appointments

Florida’s job-poacher-in-chief goes California dreamin’

Rick Scott says feds told state, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” on LIP talks

Jesse Panuccio one step closer to staying DEO chief

Medicaid questions stall John Armstrong’s confirmation in Senate

Jimmy Buffett tells Capitol crowd it’s good to be “raising hell for the right reason”

Bill Day’s latest: Let the poor (and lawmakers) eat Medicaid cake

Tom Steyer’s NextGen Climate to target Florida in 2016 presidential arc

Florida progressives blast Patrick Murphy as a “Wall Street Democrat”

Andy Gardiner: Senate stands firm on health care, but seeks “a way forward”