All Stories | Sunshine State News | Florida Political News

Health Care Under the Knife as Session Gets Under Way

January 5, 2012 - 6:00pm

By now, it's a familiar scene: As Florida lawmakers deal with a budget shortfall, hospitals, nursing homes and other health providers scramble to fend off -- or brace for -- funding cuts.

Already, Gov. Rick Scott has proposed deep cuts in Medicaid payments to hospitals, as he tries to free up money to boost spending on public schools. And while it's too early to know whether lawmakers will go along with Scott's proposal, they are almost certain to make cuts in health and human services programs.

Revised Bogdanoff Gaming Bill Sets Vote Deadlines

Jim Turner

January 5, 2012 - 6:00pm

State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, has submitted an amended destination gaming bill that creates a statewide gaming commission, prohibits the growing Internet cafes, and allows voters to decide if resort casinos can be opened in their county.

Bogdanoff had considered a bill prohibiting all barrel racing -- while allowing Gretna Racing to potentially keep operating -- in a draft she presented to other senators earlier this week. However, the amended version has no mention of barrel racing in any form.

'Smoke and Mirrors' Hide a Smaller Work Force in Jobs Report

Kenric Ward

January 5, 2012 - 6:00pm

The White House boasted on Friday that December's improved jobless report pointed to an economy on the rebound, but skeptics called it "smoke and mirrors."

While any decrease in overall unemployment should be watched with cautious optimism, todays jobs numbers offer troubling signs for job creators and hard-working families alike," said Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Tallahassee.

Nugent: Don’t Depend upon French to Rescue Slimmed Military

Submitted by Anonymous on January 6, 2012 - 3:58pm

U.S. Rep. Richard Nugent, R-Spring Hills, sharply criticized President Barack Obamas proposal to downsize the military and reshape how the armed forces respond to crisis, including an increased dependence on coalitions with allies.

I don't ever want to have to depend on the French to come to my rescue, Nugent stated in a release Friday.

Nugents release:

Comments are now closed.

PIP Reform May Limit Coverage to Immediately Needed Care

Submitted by Anonymous on January 6, 2012 - 3:29pm

An effort to reduce fraud in personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance would revamp policies to cover emergency care and services required within three days of a crash.

Comments are now closed.

Tea Party Pushes Four Bills at Legislature, But Holds Back on E-Verify

Kenric Ward

January 5, 2012 - 6:00pm

The Redistributionist Behemoth

George Will

January 6, 2012 - 6:00pm

WASHINGTON -- Liberals have a rendezvous with regret. Their largest achievement is today's redistributionist government. But such government is inherently regressive: It tends to distribute power and money to the strong, including itself.

House to Narrow Redistricting Options on Monday

Submitted by Anonymous on January 6, 2012 - 2:28pm

The House Redistricting Subcommittee will narrow its options for redistricting legislative and congressional districts on Monday.

View the seven proposed new congressional maps, five proposed House maps and numerous amendments to each map here.

The committee meetings are set for --

Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee:

Comments are now closed.

Small Businesses Consider Gambling the Legislature's Dessert; Supportive of Scott

Jim Turner

January 5, 2012 - 6:00pm

Approving gaming without fixes to workers and unemployment compensation would be a frivolity in the eyes of small-business owners.

The business owners, showing overwhelming support for Gov. Rick Scotts pro-jobs agenda over the past year, lean toward favoring the gambling bill, according to a National Federation of Independent Business/Florida poll. However, the same owners say there are bigger issues to dig into first in the upcoming legislative session.

George LeMieux Unveils Polk County Team

Submitted by Kevin Derby on January 6, 2012 - 1:01pm

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who is now running in the Republican primary to take on Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, unveiled his Polk County team on Friday.

I am proud to announce my Polk County Victory Team, said LeMieux in a statement. Polk County is home to great Republicans who understand the importance of a balanced budget and small government. With the support of my Victory Team, we can defeat Bill Nelson, take back the Senate, and bring fiscal conservatism to Washington.

Comments are now closed.

Pages