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Florida Congressmen Amend Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill

June 3, 2015 - 11:00am

This week, Florida congressmen left their marks on the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act which is moving through the U.S. House.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Fla., introduced an amendment “to increase funding for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Operations, Research and Facilities by $2 million and reduce funding for Legal Services Expenses of the U.S. Parole Commission by a similar amount which passed on a voice vote.

Kathy Castor Leads Congressional Soccer Caucus in Calling Out FIFA Corruption

Kevin Derby

June 3, 2015 - 10:15am

A Florida congresswoman who co-chairs the Congressional Soccer Caucus is calling for major reforms to international soccer, even as FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced his resignation on Tuesday.

Blatter’s resignation will take effect when FIFA chooses his replacement, which will happen in a meeting that is expected to be no earlier than December. In recent days, Interpol and the U.S. authorities have indicted FIFA officials on corruption charges, including accusations that South African officials sent $10 million to FIFA as a bribe to hold the World Cup.

Marco Rubio Calls Letting Patriot Act Expire a 'Mistake'

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 3, 2015 - 9:36am

With the U.S. Senate passing the “USA Freedom Act” on Tuesday after letting the Patriot Act expire, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tore into President Barack Obama’s security policies. Rubio, who voted against the “USA Freedom Act,” also took a shot at Republican presidential primary rival U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for helping kill the Patriot Act due to concerns about the National Security Agency (NSA) gathering phone records of American citizens.

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Daytona State Chooses Thomas LoBasso as New President

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 3, 2015 - 9:26am

The Daytona State College District board of trustees turned to a familiar face to serve as college president in Thomas LoBasso who has been serving on an interim basis since the start of the year. With a search committee having finished up its work, the board will formally vote on a 12-month contract later this month.

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Gus Bilirakis Wants Answers From Takata on Airbag Failures

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 3, 2015 - 9:11am

From his perch on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., offered his take on Takata airbag failures and the impact on public safety.

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The Media's Worst Liberal Brain Cramps

L. Brent Bozell and Tim Graham

June 2, 2015 - 7:00pm

Journalists are supposed to be the most informed members of society. Nothing is supposed to get past the iron traps in their brains. So which one of these concepts sounds more like a brain cramp?

Pastor, Savior, President

June 3, 2015 - 2:00am

Rick Scott Calls Trimmed Tax Cut Package 'Positive'

Jim Turner News Service of Florida

June 2, 2015 - 6:30pm

A House committee, voting mostly along party lines, advanced a less robust tax-cut package Tuesday that drastically trims Gov. Rick Scott's call to reduce taxes on pay-TV and cellphone bills.

Claiming a need to raise money for health care, the Republican-dominated House Finance and Tax Committee, in a 12-5 vote, approved a $273.2 million tax-cut package (HB 33A) for the coming fiscal year that maintains many features of a $690 million plan (HB 7141) that the House proposed during this spring's regular legislative session.

Meanwhile in Washington: Obamacare Takes a Blow to the Chin

Nancy Smith

June 2, 2015 - 5:30pm

While Florida legislators were debating federally mandated Medicaid expansion, some 1,000 miles to the north the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday opted to repeal two pieces of the president's signature health-care act.

The committee advanced measures that would unload Obamacare of the medical device tax and a cost-cutting panel known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Both bills are scheduled to go to the House floor the week of June 15.

Surprisingly, the vote on these bills wasn't a party-line affair -- a rarity these days inside the Beltway.

Economy, Economy, Economy, as Rick Scott Hosts GOP Presidential Hopefuls

Ed Dean and Kevin Derby

June 2, 2015 - 8:00pm

It was his show, his name appeared big, so it was a surprise to no one when Gov. Rick Scott blew his own horn Tuesday in front of an audience of mostly Scott's invited guests, media, party and national leaders at the "Economic Growth Summit" in Orlando.

Scott pointed to his record on the economy as a model for whoever wins the 2016 presidential election.

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