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Jim RosicaMarch 30, 2018

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Top men in the Legislature are considering a Special Session to tackle unresolved gambling issues from the 2018 Regular Session, including renewal of a deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe. It’s all about the money. The Tribe paid a little more than $290 million last fiscal year into state coffers as part of a 2010 […]

Guest AuthorJune 30, 2017

This Legislative Session was a tumultuous one, with several lawmakers holding to their convictions, refusing to negotiate, but in the end, compromise prevailed. Thankfully, in the final hours of the Special Session, legislative leaders realized the unparalleled value of tourism to our state’s overall economy. By allocating $76 million of funding for VISIT FLORIDA, Florida […]

Jim RosicaJune 20, 2017

In the wake of the Special Session’s implementing bill, the Florida Department of Health is gearing up to make rules governing the use of medical marijuana. The department published a “notice of proposed regulation” in the Florida Administrative Register last Friday. But the state still could face a lawsuit from personal-injury attorney John Morgan, who backed […]

Staff ReportsJune 13, 2017

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2018, is slamming Gov. Rick Scott‘s and House Speaker Richard Corcoran‘s “victory tour.” Saying he’s standing up for public schools, Gillum released a statement Tuesday in the wake of Scott’s announcement of a five-city “Fighting for Florida’s Future Victory” tour to “celebrate the major wins for Florida […]

Scott PowersJune 9, 2017

The budget package deal that gave Gov. Rick Scott the $85 million he wants for a Florida Job Growth Grant Fund also restored cut funding sought by Florida colleges and universities for 17 different projects, including funding for medical marijuana research. The research money, $1.69 million will go to the University of Florida Health Center […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2017

After a false start during the regular Legislative Session, lawmakers Friday passed a medical marijuana implementation bill on the last day of the Special Session, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott. The wide-ranging legislation (SB 8-A) will give guidance to state regulators as they put the state’s constitutional amendment medical marijuana into effect. Gov. Rick Scott said […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2017

The state Senate passed its medical marijuana implementation bill on Friday, the last scheduled day of the Special Session. The measure (SB 8-A), after technical and “product safety” amendments were tacked on, was approved by a 28-8 vote. Senators also passed, 36-0, a related public records bill exempting the personal identifying information of patient caregivers that […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2017

Quick hit: With hours left in the Special Session, rumors of a final deal abound. Details are scarce, but one Senator close to negotiations said “there could be a path to get our work completed today,” putting it at a 60 percent probability. The Senate could get its money for hospitals, but the House will […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2017

A change to the Special Session’s medical marijuana legislation that would have allowed patients to smoke it was handily defeated Thursday. The amendment offered by Rep. Evan Jenne, a Dania Beach Democrat, was killed on the House floor by a vote of 37-71. “If a doctor and a patient determine that (smoking) is the best way to […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2017

Everyone loves a mystery, so how did a provision to help concerns with underused or shuttered citrus factories get into this year’s medical marijuana legislation? Language in both bills (SB 8-A, HB 5A) would give preferential treatment for up to two growing licenses to applicants who can show “they own one or more facilities that are, or were, […]

Tag: special session
Georgia Kelley poses at her Disney World trip. (Emily Kelley)

Legislative leaders ponder special session on gambling

Carol Dover: Thank you, Florida leaders, for your hospitality

Health Department getting started on medical marijuana rulemaking

Andrew Gillum takes a swipe at Rick Scott’s ‘victory tour’

Medical marijuana research, 16 other higher-ed programs restored in budget deal

Lawmakers finally pass medical marijuana implementation bill

Senate passes medical marijuana implementation bill

Is there a deal to get out of Tallahassee on time?

House beats back effort to allow smoking of medical marijuana

Whodunit? or, How did citrus get into Special Session medical marijuana bill?