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Marco Rubio Wants Computer Chips in Medicare Cards to Cut Down on Fraud, Protect Data

July 29, 2015 - 10:45am

Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is leading an effort to crack down on Medicare fraud by inserting computer chips on Medicare cards.

Rubio teamed up with frequent legislative partner U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., and U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., to unveil the “Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2015” on Tuesday. The bill would insert chips in Medicare cards, much like what is currently used by U.S. Department of Defense personnel.

Carlos Curbelo: Key West Terror Plot Shows Importance of Homeland Security

Submitted by Kevin Derby on July 29, 2015 - 10:26am

On Monday, reports emerged that Harlem Suarez, also known as Almlak Benitez, was arrested after plotting to launch terror attacks in South Florida. Surarez posted his admiration for Islamic State (IS) terrorism on social media and called for bringing terror to the United States.

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Ted Yoho: Obama's Regulations Made REINS Act Necessary

Submitted by Kevin Derby on July 29, 2015 - 10:09am

On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed the “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny” (REINS) Act. The bill would ensure Congress approves any federal regulation which has a $100 million impact on the economy. President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the measure.

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Steve Southerland Opts Out of Rematch With Gwen Graham

Kevin Derby

July 29, 2015 - 9:45am

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., said on Tuesday that he would not seek a rematch with U.S. Gwen Graham, D-Fla., in 2016.

Despite insisting earlier this year that he would not run again in 2016, Southerland opened the door to another run last week as Graham is expected to be impacted in redistricting. But, on Tuesday, Southerland said he would not run again.

Jeff Atwater Picks Sha’Ron James as Insurance Consumer Advocate

Kevin Derby

July 29, 2015 - 9:15am

On Tuesday, Florida state CFO Jeff Atwater named Sha’Ron James as insurance consumer advocate.

James replaces Steve Burgess who retired from the post. When making the announcement on Tuesday, Atwater’s office noted, “The role of Florida’s insurance consumer advocate is to independently and ardently represent the needs of policyholders when insurance decisions are made.”

Even Before Jeff Miller Gets in Senate Race, Brian Frazier Launches Congressional Bid

Kevin Derby

July 29, 2015 - 9:00am

U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., hasn’t officially entered the race yet to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., but a conservative Republican isn’t waiting for him.

Retired Navy Capt. Brian Frazier, who served 25 years on active duty, has launched a bid for the Republican nomination to replace Miller. Calling the Panhandle home since the late 1970s and now based in Gulf Breeze, Frazier was in naval aviation and served in Afghanistan, Croatia, Iraq and other hot spots around the globe.

Florida Conservatives Get Another Shot, Though It's a Long One, at Taking Down John Boehner

Kevin Derby

July 29, 2015 - 8:45am

Mark Meadows, John Boehner, and Dan Webster

Conservatives are, once again, trying to wrest the gavel from Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, and members of the Florida delegation could play a major role in this latest coup attempt.

Not the Republican Senate's Finest Hour

Nancy Smith

July 28, 2015 - 11:00pm

The Florida Senate violates the Constitution, lies about it, then admits what it did ... but don't worry, we'll call another special session and fix it ... I don't care which party is in the majority -- even my own, as it happens -- the Senate has acted reprehensibly and, more important, illegally.

Opponents Call Compromise Confederate Flag a Cop-Out

Dara Kam News Service of Florida

July 28, 2015 - 6:45pm

After nearly three hours of emotional testimony Tuesday about a Confederate flag rippling just outside, the Walton County Commission decided on a "compromise" that will do away with the banner but left one side fuming.

In a surprise move, the commission opted to remove the Confederate battle flag --- bearing the iconic Southern Cross --- from the lawn in front of the county courthouse and replace it with the "first flag of the confederacy," a flag bearing three stripes and 13 stars representing the states that seceded from the Union.

Is America Entering a New Victorian Era?

Michael Barone

July 29, 2015 - 7:00am

Forty-seven years ago, the musical "Hair" opened on Broadway. Elderly mavens -- the core theater audience then, unlike the throngs of tourists flocking to cheap movie adaptations today -- were instructed that America was entering an "Age of Aquarius." The old moral rules were extinct: we were entering a new era of freedom, experimentation and self-expression.

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