Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 9, 2015

(UPDATE: This proposal is now dead. See this report). Last month Florida Politics reported on how state lawmakers might bring back the issues of regulating transportation network companies (TNC’s) such as Uber and Lyft in the Special Session now underway in Tallahassee. But such legislation failed to make the official call as presented by House […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 6, 2015

Budget conferees have agreed to target $400 million in recurring general revenue to hospitals and, as of Saturday morning, to not fund graduate medical education. Eliminating the funding — a $100 million concession for the Florida Senate — is a “work in progress” Sen. Rene Garcia said. Rep. Matt Hudson quickly agreed. “It’s certainly not off […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 6, 2015

The House on Friday rejected a Senate-driven health care expansion plan, passed a $300 million tax reduction package and capped the day by releasing the allocations that tell the story behind the budget deal that the Legislature agreed to this week. Working through staff, legislative leaders reached a deal on how to divide nearly $28.9 […]

Associated PressJune 5, 2015

House Republicans appeared ready to reject the Senate’s plan on Medicaid, arguing Thursday that it is essentially an expansion that relies on money from the president’s health care overhaul. During a tense 2 1/2 hours of questions, House Republicans agreed the Senate plan was still a government entitlement program for “able-bodied adults” that would increase […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 5, 2015

While the Senate pushed increasing access to health care for the uninsured during the 2015 Legislative Session, the Florida House steadfastly refused to discuss it, saying the underlying problems in the health care system and Florida’s high uninsured population were because of the steep costs of health care. After debating the Senate FHIX proposal for […]

Peter SchorschJune 4, 2015

While Tallahassee is buzzing today with news that Jeb Bush will officially launch his presidential campaign June 15, Adams Street is also buzzing with talk that Rep. Matt Gaetz is about to draw a serious contender in the race for State Senate District 1. Bay County Commissioner George Gainer, a Republican, is expected to file to […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 3, 2015

With the drama over health care playing out according to the expected script, the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is finally ready to pivot to passing a new state budget. The Senate on Wednesday passed its health care coverage bill and sent it over to the House, where it is anticipated that chamber will vote down the […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 3, 2015

A faux newspaper dubbed the Florida Capitol Times should arrive Wednesday in the mailboxes of 500,000 voters in swing districts across the state. The mailer was sent by the group called A Healthy Florida Works, said Jennifer Fennell, a spokesperson for the group, which is affiliated with Associated Industries of Florida. The Florida Hospital Association — […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 2, 2015

A group of uninsured Millennials on Tuesday presented 13,000 signatures to a top official in the Florida House of Representatives. The group did not meet with Speaker Steve Crisafulli who, according to his Chief of Staff, Kathy Mears, was in a meeting. The small group presented the House with a scroll of 13,000 signatures asking […]

Gary FineoutJune 1, 2015

FloridaΓÇÖs_Historic_Capitol_and_Florida_State_Capitol_2-1024x1024.jpg

The Florida Legislature began its 20-day Special Session on Monday, with legislative leaders sounding more open to compromise as they race against the clock to pass a new state budget. The conciliatory tone espoused by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner was different than just a few weeks ago when the Republican-controlled […]

Tag: Steve Crisafulli
Gordon Smith. Screenshot via Smart & Safe Florida.

Proposed state study could put local government regulation of Uber, Lyft on hold

Chambers agree to $400 million in general revenue to hospitals, zero for doctor training (for now)

Budget deal increases health care funding by $450 million

House poised to vote down Senate’s Medicaid expansion bill

House prepares to deliberate its health care “cost containment” bills next week

Matt Gaetz about to draw a serious challenger for Senate race in George Gainer

Health care bill OK’d, Senate ready to work on budget through weekend

A Healthy Florida Works drops faux newspaper on 500,000 voters

Millennials trek to Tally to press for Medicaid expansion under Obamacare

Florida legislators return with plan to end budget stalemate