March 4, 2012 - 6:00pm
Attorney General Pam Bondi turned her campaign against timeshare-resale fraud into some truly crackerjack legislation, but it hasn't gathered the accolades her pill mill bill did a year ago.
Budget Negotiations Coming Down to Higher Education Cuts
March 3, 2012 - 6:00pm
The fiscal impact to higher education still stands in the way of Florida legislators reaching a deal on a budget that should top $70 billion.
The states budget chiefs from the House and Senate will continue Monday negotiating the difference out of the fiscal plan. Efforts intensified Friday when unsettled issues were bumped up to Senate Budget Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, and House Appropriations Chairwoman Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring.
PETA Begs to Differ: Letter to the Editor
Submitted by Nancy Smith on March 4, 2012 - 9:27pm
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals media writer Amanda Schinke wrote Sunshine State News a letter to the editor taking issue with my blog of Feb. 27, "PETA, Pet Deaths and O.J. Simpson's House."
In the interest of fairness, I would like to print the body of her Feb. 29 letter here:
Comments are now closed.
Weekly Roundup: On Budget, and On Time?
March 3, 2012 - 6:00pm
Budget negotiators sent their thorniest issues to the respective budget chairmen this weekend, as both the Senate and House lined up priorities for the expected final week of the session.
On a few issues, there was some closure this week. Lawmakers signed off on a $1.35 million compensation package for William Dillon, who was imprisoned for 27 years for a murder he didn't commit. The Senate passed that bill early in the week and sent it to Gov. Rick Scott who signed it a couple of hours later.
Legislative Budget Meeting Delayed
Submitted by Anonymous on March 4, 2012 - 5:34pm
The Florida House has announced that the Sunday night budget meeting between Senate Budget Committee Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, and House Appropriations Chair Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, has been pushed back an hour, to 7 p.m.
Editor's note: the House has revised the delay until 8 p.m.
Comments are now closed.
Budget Chiefs Scheduled to Return for Late Sunday Afternoon Meeting
Submitted by Anonymous on March 4, 2012 - 4:29pm
As legislators enter the final week on the calendar for the regular 60-day session, the budget chiefs have narrowed the areas they need to smooth out to education and health and human services.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, and House Appropriations Chair Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, are scheduled to meet again at 6 p.m. Sunday in 212 Knott Building.
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Rick Scott Makes Two Water Management Board Appointments
Submitted by Anonymous on March 4, 2012 - 9:27am
Florida Gov. Rick Scott named Virginia Hipp Johns to the Suwannee River Water Management District governing board and Fred N. Roberts Jr. to the governing board of the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Johns, 57, of Alachua, is the president of John Hipp Construction.
Roberts, 33, of Ocala, is an attorney with Klein and Klein Law Firm.
Both appointments require confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Comments are now closed.
Citizens' Bill Adds CAT, Passes Senate Budget Committee
March 4, 2012 - 6:00pm
A proposal to shift the way the state-backed insurer pays claims is on its way to the Senate floor after being changed to lower the state's overall risk following a major storm.
Schoolyard Fight: What Can Parents Do About Failing Schools?
March 3, 2012 - 6:00pm
Legislation that would give parents more ability to determine how to make over a failing school was rammed through a Senate committee on Saturday, a likely preview of a contentious floor fight over charter schools, unions and parental support.
By a 13-7 vote, the Senate Budget Committee on Saturday approved SB 1718, the so-called "parent trigger" bill. The most controversial element would allow parents of a failing school to dictate recovery strategies, including the use of for-profit charters, if a majority of them sign petitions to do so.
Sen. J.D. Alexander Confident Budget Hurdles are 'Solvable'
Submitted by Anonymous on March 3, 2012 - 5:19pm
A nearly four-hour morning Senate Budget Committee delayed some of the weekends state budget talks on Saturday.
However, Senate Budget Committee Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, said he views all outstanding issues as imminently solvable.
The Budget Committee chairs began meeting again to go over the latest offers from each chamber.
The budget chiefs worked until around 11 p.m. Friday going over criminal justice, agriculture and general government offers.
Up next will be education and health and human services.
Comments are now closed.
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