TheRepublic.com - Florida State Legislature News

Embattled Scott trumpets drop in Fla. jobless rate

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:25:52 -0400

TAMPA, Florida - Florida Gov. Rick Scott - who has made his handling of the state's economy the main thrust of his re-election campaign - got more to boast about on Friday.

Fate of redistricting battle now with Fla. court

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:36:14 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida Supreme Court was asked Thursday to end a bruising political battle over whether state legislators ignored new standards designed to limit political influence in drawing up new districts for themselves.

Largest US hospice company sued for Medicare fraud

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:21:15 -0400

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida - The Department of Justice is suing the hospice company founded by Florida's Senate president, accusing it of submitting tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent Medicare claims for more than a decade, including while Don Gaetz was vice chairman of the board.

Fla. Gov. wins OK of priorities after fight

Sat, 04 May 2013 15:23:23 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida Gov. Rick Scott came into his third legislative session as governor with a very short list of things he wanted to accomplish.

Lawmakers protect bunnies, not the uninsured

Sat, 04 May 2013 14:34:37 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers couldn't find a way to provide health care coverage for the state's 1.1 million uninsured residents, but they did pass a bill that would make it illegal to dye bunnies and chicks and another that would prevent people from using food stamps at strip bars.

Fla. lawmakers wrap up annual session

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:17:15 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Lawmakers ended their 60-day session Friday, waiting until the final hour to pass a $74.5 billion budget and then leaving town without passing a bill to extend health care coverage to 1.1 million Floridians.

Cancer treatment bill clears Fla. Legislature

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:14:40 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers gave final approval Friday evening to legislation that would require health insurers to provide the same level of coverage for cancer treatments given orally as those drugs administered intravenously.

Fla. Legislature refuses to aid Miami Dolphins

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:08:14 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida's oldest professional sports franchise - the Miami Dolphins - was dealt a crushing blow Friday after the Florida Legislature ended it session without passing any funding plan that would assist the team's quest to refurbish its stadium.

Highlights from Florida's new $74.5 billion budget

Fri, 03 May 2013 20:28:56 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida Legislature passed a $74.5 billion budget on Friday before ending is 60-day annual session.

No Medicaid decision from Fla. Legislature

Fri, 03 May 2013 20:28:20 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida Democratic leaders want Republican Gov. Rick Scott to veto the state budget or call a special session after the Legislature adjourned without passing an expansion of the state's Medicaid program.

No Medicaid decision from Fla. Legislature

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:58:47 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida Democratic leaders want Gov. Rick Scott to veto the state budget or call a special session after the Legislature adjourned without passing an expansion of the state's Medicaid plan.

Fla. Legislature passes $74.5 billion budget

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:38:46 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Flush with cash for the first time in seven years, Florida lawmakers ended their session Friday by passing a $74.5 billion budget that includes a big boost for schools.

Senate confirms Edgar for new term at Florida PSC

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:37:33 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - After a handful of Republicans and Democrats questioned her performance, the Florida Senate on Friday confirmed Lisa Edgar to a third four-year term on the Florida Public Service Commission.

Mortgage foreclosures bill headed to Gov. Scott

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:48:27 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers sent Gov. Rick Scott a bill Friday that is aimed at speeding up the residential mortgage foreclosure process in a state where the real estate market went into a tailspin during the national housing crisis.

Legislature passes bill to extend early voting

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:41:27 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - A bill that would expand early voting days and sites is now heading to Gov. Rick Scott's desk.

Anti-'Shariah' bill is dead for this session

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:08:04 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - A bill that would ban Islamic law and other foreign laws from being applied in state courts has died on the last day of Florida's legislative session.

Fla. lawmakers OK plan for Everglades restoration

Thu, 02 May 2013 23:46:04 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers have approved a new plan to help pay for Everglades restoration.

Fla. lawmakers pass measure on sick leave

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:41:22 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - A business-friendly bill that would forbid local governments from requiring businesses to offer paid or unpaid family and medical leave is on its way to Gov. Rick Scott.

Fla. Legislature approves small changes to insurer

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:21:41 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers took modest steps Thursday to shrink the size of the state-created Citizens Property Insurance - but they rejected a plan to allow the insurer to dramatically raise its rates.

Florida lawmakers wrap up work on Everglades bill

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:04:29 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers completed work Thursday on a new plan to help pay for Everglades restoration, drawing praise from environmental activists and the sugar industry after years of squabbling over ways to protect the famed River of Grass.

Bill to ban use of foreign laws stalls

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:52:21 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida senators on Thursday dealt a late setback to a contentious bill that would ban Shariah, or Islamic law, and other foreign laws from being applied in state courts.

Fla. lawmakers pass texting-while-driving ban

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:50:26 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers on Thursday passed a statewide ban on texting while driving.

Fla. Legislature makes it easier to evict tenants

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:07:04 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida legislators are making it easier to evict tenants under a bill now heading to Gov. Rick Scott.

Scott signs ethics, campaign finance bills

Wed, 01 May 2013 22:29:13 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Gov. Rick Scott signed a wide-ranging ethics bill and a separate measure that will raise campaign contribution limits, waiting until the final hours Wednesday before taking action on the bills.

Gov. gets tax cut ok amid legal doubts about vote

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:46:37 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers passed a tax break for the state's manufacturing sector, a top priority of Gov. Rick Scott this legislative session.