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Congress Kicks Highway Bill Down the Road for 90 Days

March 29, 2012 - 6:00pm

A weekend shutdown of federal highway programs was averted Thursday when the Senate signed off on a 90-day extension approved earlier by the House.

The extension, the ninth for the transportation bill, kicks the can down the road until June 30.

I would hope that during the Easter recess the House would be able to come back with something ... or accept our bill, which is our preference, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

But in the heat of an election year, the prospect of either side giving in appears unlikely.

Florida Association of Counties-Opposed Medicaid Bill Becomes Law

Jim Turner

March 29, 2012 - 6:00pm

Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Thursday a controversial Medicaid bill, HB 5301, that will require counties to pay more into Medicaid, including 85 percent of what the state claims are years of unpaid bills.

"I respectfully acknowledge the concern this provision may create for some counties," Scott wrote in a letter announcing his signature. " ... To that end, I have pledged to the counties that AHCA and my staff will work diligently with them to certify that any billings for which counties are charged are accurate and valid."

Rick Scott Signs Medicaid Bill Counties Opposed

Submitted by Anonymous on March 30, 2012 - 5:29am

Gov. Rick Scott signed a controversial Medicaid bill, HB 5301, on Thursday that will require counties to pay more into Medicaid, including 85 percent of what the state claims are years of unpaid bills.

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Shawn Tyson Found Guilty of British Tourists Murders

Submitted by Anonymous on March 30, 2012 - 5:27am

A 12-member jury in Sarasota quickly found 17-year-old Shawn Tyson guilty Thursday of killing British tourists James Coope and James Kouzaris.

The case drew international attention, primarily from the United Kingdom.

Florida Supreme Court to Hear Killer David Allen Gore's Appeal

Submitted by Anonymous on March 30, 2012 - 5:24am

Floridas Supreme Court has agreed to hear condemned killer David Alan Gores appeal, with his execution two weeks away.

On April 4, the court will hear oral arguments in Gore's appeal that a circuit court judge denied his request for a hearing seeking to stop his scheduled April 12 execution.

Gov. Rick Scott signed Gores death warrant Feb. 28.Gore has been convicted of the 1983 death of a Vero Beach teen.

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Rick Scott Replaces Suspended Osceola Clerk

Submitted by Anonymous on March 30, 2012 - 5:23am

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Kimberly Hennecy as Osceola County clerk of court, serving for the suspended Malcom Thompson.

Hennecy, 41, of St. Cloud, has been the chief deputy clerk of the Osceola County clerk of court office since 2009, serving for 15 years.

Thompson, who was running for re-election in November, was suspended by Scott in Jan. 30 after being charged with assault and battery against members of his staff, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

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Under a Sort-Of Hiring Freeze, PBSO Found $310,000 for Lobbying

Submitted by Nancy Smith on March 30, 2012 - 5:17am

Among the list of more than 2,500 utilities, telecommunications giants, trade groups, unions, developers, casinos and professional associations lobbying in Tallahassee during the 2012 session of the Florida Legislature is one curious participant:

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

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Rick Scott to New York Businesses: Come on Down!

Submitted by Nancy Smith on March 29, 2012 - 4:51pm

If you were tuned into Fox News' Your World With Neil Cavuto today, you might have heard about Gov. Rick Scott writing a letter to 100 New York businesses, inviting them to come down to Florida where "the weather is great, cost of living is low and the business climate is among the best in the country."

See the attached sample of Scott's letter.

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Court Gives Lawmakers Immunity From Testifying

Jim Saunders News Service of Florida

March 29, 2012 - 6:00pm

In a case that centers on whether online travel company Expedia could subpoena Rep. Rick Kriseman, a Tallahassee-based appeals court Thursday said state lawmakers have broad immunity from testifying about their legislative actions.

The ruling, by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, could set a precedent in Florida. But the judges said it follows longstanding legal principles and also reflects the separation between the legislative and judicial branches of government.

Democrats Ask Pam Bondi for Trayvon Martin updates

Submitted by Anonymous on March 29, 2012 - 3:37pm

The Florida Democratic congressional delegation sent a letter to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing concerns over the Trayvon Martin case.

The letter asks the attorney generals office to keep the six Democrats -- Alcee L. Hastings, Miramar, Frederica Wilson, Miami Gardens, Ted Deutch, Boca Raton, Kathy Castor, Tampa, Corrine Brown, Jacksonville, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Weston -- updated on the states investigation.

The letter:

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