Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 17, 2015

A compassionate bill aimed at patients suffering from terminal illnesses pushed its way through the Senate Committee on Health Policy today. The Right to Try Act by St. Petersburg State Senator Jeff Brandes earned broad support in the committee. The law would allow dying patients to access experimental medical treatments that have passed a Phase One Clinical Trial, but […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2015

The Marion County Republican Executive Committee on Monday night approved a resolution criticizing House Republicans Dennis Baxley, Charlie Stone, and Marlene O’Toole for their votes last week in support of an amendment that would repeal the 38-year ban on same-sex couple adoption in Florida. Committee members said the three representatives’ support of the measure was […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

The latest chapter of “4th Floor Files” talks with Mario Bailey, a lobbyist with the Becker & Poliakoff firm. Bailey represents clients from a variety of sectors including government — he has six south Florida governments including Cape Coral, Hollywood, and Lauderdale Lakes; education — Bethune Cookman, Florida Memorial University, and Miami-Dade Schools; and businesses — […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2015

The Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee on Monday voted to allocate $1,500 to Tampa City Council candidate Guido Maniscalco in his bid to capture the District 6 City Council seat. The money will go for canvassing and phone banking. The 30-year-old Maniscalco is running against civil engineer Jackie Toledo in the March 24 runoff election. […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 17, 2015

The House released a health care budget on Tuesday that has no supplemental Medicaid dollars 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 Income Pool, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2015

According to Miami state House Republican Frank Artiles, the only reason he has introduced his legislation that would stop transgender people from using public restrooms aligned with their gender identity is because Miami-Dade County Commissioners wouldn’t change their own ordinance. “I am here because the Miami Dade ordinance is overbroad and subjective,” he told lawmakers […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2015

According to Miami state House Republican Frank Artiles, the only reason he has introduced his legislation that would stop transgender people from using public restrooms aligned with their gender identity is because Miami-Dade County Commissioners wouldn’t change their own ordinance. “I am here because the Miami Dade ordinance is overbroad and subjective,” he told lawmakers […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott continues to preach from the Book of Low Taxation while a choir of number crunchers sings about more people going to work. The Florida jobless rate remained unchanged in January at 5.7 percent, above the national rate of 5.5 percent but showing an increase of 13,900 jobs compared with December and 274,000 more […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2015

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and yours. Well, it was quite a busy Monday. I reported a number of stories, but none bigger locally than this: The Pinellas County Democratic Party already has one more candidate to challenge David Jolly in 2016 than they did this past year. He’s Eric Lynn, and he’s definitely […]

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 […]

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Jeff Brandes Right to Try Act bill clears Health Policy committee

Local GOP condemns Dennis Baxley, 2 others for gay adoption votes

4th Floor Files talks with Mario Bailey about government, Ronald Reagan, and mentoring

Hillsborough Democrats OK $1,500 for Guido Maniscalco effort

No Medicaid supplemental funds in House budget

Frank Artiles admits his “bathroom bill” is still a work in progress as it advances in Florida House

Frank Artiles admits his "bathroom bill" is still a work in progress as it advances in Florida House

Unemployment rate steady while Rick Scott focuses on new jobs

Mitch Perry report for 3.17.15 — David Jolly to get a challenger?

Lack of clear direction on hospital funding stymies budget action