Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonJanuary 6, 2015

What charges are appropriate when insured patients appear in hospital emergency rooms? What if the hospital is under contract with the insurance company but not the doctors who work there–such as anesthesiologists -because they generally are never employees. An “all star” panel of health care industry experts discussed the issue with members of the Senate […]

Christine Jordan SextonJanuary 6, 2015

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday took testimony from doctors and patients who want the state of Florida to limit the ability of insurance companies to deny medications or require prior authorization for certain drugs. They appear to have a sympathetic ear in committee Chairman Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-For Myers, who two years […]

James CallJanuary 6, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott took the oath of office for a second term at 12:09 p.m. Tuesday. The ceremony put an exclamation mark on Scott’s evolution from a Tea Party outsider who captured the governor’s mansion four years ago to a pillar of the GOP establishment; potential presidential candidates Texas Gov. Rick Perry and New Jersey […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2015

At approximately 12:11 p.m. today, Hillsborough County Clerk of the Courts Pat Frank wound down her official duties in officiating over the mass same-sex marriage ceremony in downtown Tampa’s Joe Chillura Park. “By virtue of the authority invested in me, under the laws of the state of Florida, I now pronounce you joined in matrimony,” she […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 6, 2015

Fundraising numbers are in for the month of December in Tampa City Council races. With more than $6,000 rolling in around the Holidays, District 6 candidate Jackie Toledo grew her commanding fundraising lead over challengers Guido Maniscalco and AC company owner Thomas Clark Castellano. Toledo has raised more than $87,000. Castellano trails her with $26,340. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 6, 2015

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn isn’t facing a challenger, but that hasn’t stopped him from raising almost $360,000. Of that, $68,000 was raised in December. Buckhorn raked in 30 maximum contributions of $1,000.Those came from groups like the Fiol Law Group, RSA and ASG Consulting groups, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter Association, Franklin Street Financial Partners, the […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 6, 2015

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is endorsing Lenny Curry in the Jacksonville mayoral race. Perry, a possible 2016 Republican presidential contender, made the announcement today while in Florida for the second-term inauguration of Gov. Rick Scott. “In Texas, and as I travel the United States,” Perry said in a statement, “I meet people who understand what […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 6, 2015

After years of a struggling economy, Tampa’s “swagger” has returned, says the first digital ad for Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s re-election effort. The 60-second spot – appropriately called “Swagger” – will hit the airwaves starting Tuesday, offering some of Buckhorn’s successes, but also a few hints of something more. It is an energetic, boastful message from a […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2015

One of the issues that Bob Buckhorn has said he wants to tackle in his second term is what to do with the 60 million-plus gallons of day of treated waste water that currently is being dumped into Tampa Bay, and has been for years. In November the mayor said that he’s been working with city […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2015

With all due respect to all of the people who will be attending Governor Rick Scott’s inauguration later this morning, the speech by the recently reelected Republican is not the biggest story in Florida today. No, there have been inaugurations before and there will be again. But for the first time in the history of […]

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Costs for emergency and out-of-network care eyed by Senate panel

Senate committee looks to curb prior authorization for meds

In inauguration speech, Rick Scott puts N.Y., California on notice

Over a hundred same-sex couples get married in downtown Tampa

Tampa City Council candidate Jackie Toledo grows funding lead in three-way race

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn approaches $400,000 in fundraising for un-opposed re-election campaign

Rick Perry endorses Lenny Curry for Jax mayor, calls him “transformational”

Bob Buckhorn’s first re-election campaign ad; glimpse of something more?

Charlie Miranda talks water issues as he contemplates 4 more years on Tampa City Council

Mitch Perry Report for 1.6.15 – Florida’s big news day