May 3, 2011 - 6:00pm
51% Favor Free Market Over Government Regulation for Health Savings
Submitted by Anonymous on May 4, 2011 - 1:18pm
Signaling continued sharp division over Obamacare, a slight majority of U.S. voters believe market competition -- not more government involvement -- is the better way to reduce health-care costs, a new poll reports.
A Rasmussen telephone survey finds that 51 percent of likely voters say free-market competition between insurance companies will do more to bring down health-care costs than more government regulation.Thirty-one percent favor increased regulation and 18 percent are not sure.
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Senate Readies Two More Pro-Life Bills for Final Vote
Submitted by Kevin Derby on May 4, 2011 - 12:48pm
The Florida Senate readied two pro-life bills Wednesday for a final vote, which would require stricter parental notice requirements for minors seeking abortions and allow women to see video and hear a description of an ultrasound before getting an abortion.
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House Backs Healthy Schools for Healthy Lives Act
Submitted by Kevin Derby on May 4, 2011 - 12:03pm
The Florida House joined the Senate on Wednesday in passing the Healthy Schools for Healthy Lives Act which would pave the way for local farmers to work with school districts to include more fruits and vegetables in school breakfast and lunch programs, and would switch control over school lunch programs from the state Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill, which was a high priority for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, now heads to Gov. Rick Scott who is expected to sign it.
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Immigration Bill, Sans E-Verify for Business, Passes Senate
Submitted by Kevin Derby on May 4, 2011 - 11:36am
A stripped-down immigration bill sailed through the Florida Senate Wednesday with no debate on the issue. The vote came down 23-16, with Republican members of the Hispanic caucus taking a position against the bill.
The bill was discussed at length in the Senate Tuesday, as an amendment that would have imposed penalties on businesses that were found to have employed undocumented workers without using the federal E-Verify system failed to make it onto the bill.
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House Passes Charter School Expansion, 87-27
Submitted by Kevin Derby on May 4, 2011 - 10:28am
On Wednesday morning the House passed a bill backed by Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, to expand high-performing charter schools and would give them the ability to apply for charters for up to as many as 15 years. Stargels bill passed, 87-27.
The reason I like this bill is it allows us to copy success, said Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville. We are able to emulate the good charter schools. We are able to expand them.
Democrats spoke against the proposal, arguing that the Legislature should focus on improving other public schools.
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Insurance Reform Advocates See Missed Opportunity at Session's End
Submitted by Kevin Derby on May 4, 2011 - 10:23am
With three days left in the legislative session, those pushing for reforms to Florida's insurance market, especially to state-run Citizens Property Insurance, are bemoaning the lack of bold legislative reforms that made it through the lawmaking process this year.
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Florida's School Writing Scores Hit 'Historic Highs' on FCAT
Submitted by Anonymous on May 4, 2011 - 10:13am
While their reading scores have been nothing to write home about, Florida students continue to post top numbers in the FCAT writing battery.
The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that pupils in grades 4, 8 and 10 scored "historic highs" on the writing test this year.
Our educators continue to rise to the occasion, answering the call of increased expectations for our students to ensure they are leaving school ready for the next step, said Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith.
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Video: Charlie Crist Cuts a Commercial for New Employer
Submitted by Kevin Derby on May 4, 2011 - 10:07am
Ben Smith over at Politico has the video of the day -- former Gov. Charlie Crist running a commercial for Morgan & Morgan, the legal firm he is now working for.
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Chris Smith Chosen as Next Democratic Leader in Senate
May 3, 2011 - 6:00pm
Democrats in the Florida Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to name Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale their next leader. Smith will take the reins from current Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich of Sunrise after the 2012 elections.
I am proud of the confidence my caucus has shown in me said Smith. Florida faces many problems over the next few years and I look forward to leading the Democratic Caucus as we craft solutions.
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