Have no doubt: Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva wants to expand access to health care by expanding the scope of practice for Florida nurses.

Florida’s nursing another election-related black eye, after Broward and Palm Beach county election officials were unable to meet deadlines to submit election results to the state.

The missed deadlines were among a number of problems in the heavily Democratic regions, exposed by slim margins in statewide races for governor, U.S. Senate and agriculture commissioner.

Each time Florida has suffered an election embarrassment, including after the protracted 2000 presidential recount, state lawmakers have tweaked statutes in the hopes of avoiding another spectacle.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., teamed up with a fellow doctor serving in Congress to focus on how the federal government can spur innovation in the medical community. 

After months of mudslinging, weeks of court wrangling and days of ballot counting that again landed Florida in an unwelcome national spotlight, a state panel matter-of-factly finalized the 2018 election results in a five-minute meeting Tuesday.

Speaker-designate Jose R. Oliva was unanimously elected Tuesday to serve as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2018-2020 session. Upon election, Oliva delivered the following remarks, as provided by the Speaker's office:

Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, was unanimously elected president of the Florida Senate Tuesday for the 2018-2020 legislative term.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, is teaming up with other senators who serve on the Helsinki Commission to call on the White House and Interpol to oppose a Russian general who is readying to lead that international law enforcement agency. 

A Treasure Coast lawmaker plans to again pursue more state oversight of private high-speed passenger rail service, as Florida analysts have outlined a number of steps lawmakers could take.

With candidates setting a record this year for pulling in matching funds, Florida taxpayers contributed $4.2 million to the winning campaigns for governor and three Cabinet seats, according to the final totals for the 2018 elections.

Brenda Snipes has resigned from her post as supervisor of elections for Broward County, effective Jan. 4, 2019.