Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 18, 2015

Florida for Care declared Wednesday a Day of Compassion at the state capitol. More than 20 supporters of two medicinal marijuana bills fanned out across the Capitol Complex early Wednesday to lobby lawmakers on behalf of HB 683 and SB 528. “They came from all over the state,” said Kari Hicks of Florida For Care. “There are people […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

It was the insurance industry versus the provider community when a House subcommittee took up a bill that prohibits balance billing for emergency services on Wednesday, with the insurance and HMO industry emerging the victor. Over the objections of the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Hospital Association, the Florida Radiological Association, and the Florida Chapter […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2015

A bill exempting taxpayers’ email addresses from the state’s open record law advanced in the Florida Senate on Wednesday. Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala argues the proposal protects consumers from scammers who use digital skills to defraud people. Latvala says he’s sponsoring the bill because tax collectors requested he do so. Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner questioned the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2015

Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate next year, but lets hope that doesn’t “pave the way” for fellow South Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy to become the groomed nominee in 2016. As a Tampa Bay area-based political reporter, I have to admit knowing very little about […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

The House released a health care budget on Tuesday that contains no supplemental Medicaid funding traditionally used to help pay hospitals, federally qualified health centers, graduate medical education, and even prepaid health plans. House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Matt Hudson said it would be “premature” for the House to include supplemental, or Low […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

The hot dogs were free, the National Champion soccer team was on hand, as well as the tournament-bound women’s basketball team, but the star of the midday gathering in the Capitol courtyard was Farhan “Ronny” Ahmed. The 21-year-old Ahmed was shot three times and left paralyzed from the waist down when a gunman opened fire at […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

There’s a development in the Gerald Bailey affair I want to tell you about, but first its FSU Day. Not that I attended the school or anything, but if I’m put on a beat it’s what’s in the front of my mind, you know? Like, I’m all FSU, fascinated by Charlotte’s Web rule-making, intrigued by the personalities […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 17, 2015

Florida’s top Medicaid official said on Tuesday he wants to have a tentative agreement with the federal government on how much Florida can expect to receive in supplemental Medicaid dollars by early to mid April. Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Justin Senior told Florida Politics that the plan is to have a letter of agreement outlining broad principles […]

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 […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

A handful of lawmakers broke away from the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to attend the inauguration of John Thrasher as Florida State University’s 15th president. Thrasher earned two degrees from the university, but his path to the presidency began in 1986 when was elected to the Clay County School Board. From there Thrasher embarked on a career where […]

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Florida for Care walking Capitol halls today for medicinal marijuana

Round one of emergency care and billing tussle goes to insurers over docs

Jack Latvala bill to exempt taxpayers’ email addresses from open records law moves forward

Mitch Perry Report for 3.18.15 — No DWS, no problem, right Dems?

House releases budget with no supplemental funds and deep cuts to Department of Health

FSU rallies at Capitol

The day that was in Florida politics — March 17

State Medicaid chief wants tentative agreement with feds by mid-April

Medicaid expansion passes its 2nd Senate panel unanimously

FSU inaugurates John Thrasher as its 15th president