Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineAugust 6, 2018

Florida’s no-fault insurance system continues to generate fraud, judging by allegations in a lawsuit that insurer State Farm filed in federal court. The suit, filed in the Southern District of Florida on Aug. 1, alleges three clinics cheated it out of $4.7 million. Will suits like these help break the policy logjam that has prevented […]

Michael MolineFebruary 28, 2018

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A budget subcommittee voted Wednesday to kill the Senate’s no-fault insurance repeal bill. But the condition is not necessarily terminal. The panel’s chairwoman voted no even though she favored the measure and then moved to pass it temporarily. That would allow her to call for additional hearings on the bill later on, when perhaps it […]

Peter SchorschAugust 14, 2017

Metz Husband & Daughton will announce today that it added a new lobbyist for its Tallahassee office. Pierce Schuessler joins MHD from Brandon Republican Sen. Tom Lee’s office, where he worked as the former Senate President’s chief of staff. “With nearly a decade of experience in state government, we have no doubt Pierce’s background will […]

Michael MolineMay 1, 2017

The Senate approved a proposed ballot measure Monday to raise the value of Florida’s homestead exemption, improving chances that separate legislation to expand gambling would survive the Legislative Session. The vote was 28-10, within the required three-fifths majority. House leaders, who have been reluctant to open Florida to additional gambling options, have made approval of […]

Michael MolineApril 28, 2017

The Senate debated Friday whether to raise Florida’s homestead exemption to $75,000 on property values of as much as $125,000 — a key to the chamber’s budget compromise with the House, but bitterly opposed by local governments. The increase would be subject to approval by Florida voters, but is a high priority for House leaders, […]

Drew WilsonMarch 22, 2017

A bill that would increase reporting requirements for Florida Supreme Court cases cleared the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee with a unanimous vote Wednesday. SB 878, sponsored by Republican Sen. Tom Lee, would require the court to write up an annual report on cases that the court did not issue a ruling on […]

Michael MolineMarch 13, 2017

A Senate committee approved legislation Monday earmarking 75 percent of Florida’s take from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster for the eight worst-affected counties, and ensuring that small counties will be represented on the oversight board. But the Commerce and Tourism Committee delayed a vote on another high-profile bill, SB 236, to dismantle tax subsidies for […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 13, 2017

Legislation filed in the Senate would let state employees decide between four levels of group health insurance coverage, so they could buy cheaper, stripped-down plans or pay for more comprehensive care. “Our current plan offers limited choices and lacks the price transparency needed for employees and their families to make cost-effective health care purchases,” bill […]

Guest AuthorOctober 27, 2015

Another dangerously flawed “Family Law Reform” bill has been once again submitted in the Florida Legislature. As this flawed legislation persists, Republican Sen. Tom Lee, who has been embroiled in his own past divorce and child support battles, has now introduced Family Law Reform bill SB 250. Many marginalized members of The Florida Bar are […]

Diane RobertsAugust 18, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – They stamp their feet, they scream till they’re sick, and hold their breath till they’re blue. They act like 5-year-olds caught with their grotty little paws in the cookie jar, their faces covered in crumbs, as they swear they didn’t do anything wrong. The Special – or Remedial – Session. While all […]

Tag: Sen. Tom Lee

New lawsuit highlights legislative logjam over PIP reform

Senate subcommittee puts PIP repeal legislation on life support

Metz Husband & Daughton brings Pierce Schuessler aboard

Homestead exemption expansion wins supermajority vote in Senate

Homestead exemption boost moves from Rules Committee to full Senate

Senate bill to increase Supreme Court reporting requirements clears second committee

Vote on stadium-subsidies bill delayed, but panel votes aid to rural counties

Senate bill would shake up state worker health insurance plans

Judge Robert M. Evans: Enough is enough – Florida needs a neutral "Family Law Reform" task force

Diane Roberts: Democracy in Florida remains lost in spite of new maps