January 12, 2011 - 6:00pm
While the new Congress has only been in session for little more than a week, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is off to a fast start.
Bill Filed in Senate to Strengthen Privacy of Gun Owners
Submitted by Kevin Derby on January 13, 2011 - 10:40am
Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, filed a bill Thursday that would prohibit doctors, physicians or medical providers from asking patients if they own or have access to firearms.
An identical bill was filed in the House on Wednesday by Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, which would make doctors' inquiries of gun ownership by patients a felony punishable by a $5 million fine or up to five years in jail.
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Sen. Joe Negron Files Bill to Ease Firearm Regulations
Submitted by Kevin Derby on January 13, 2011 - 10:17am
Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, filed a bill Wednesday aimed at loosening regulations on firearms and ammunition.
The bill, SB 402, would prohibit counties from developing ordinances requiring a waiting period for delivery of handguns and restricts state officials from regulating firearms except as prescribed by law.
The issue of gun control reentered the national debate this weekend after a mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday left six dead and more than a dozen injured, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
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$7.2 Billion Madoff Lawsuit Due for Settlement Thursday
Submitted by Nancy Smith on January 13, 2011 - 9:54am
The Wall Street Journal reports that a Manhattan bankruptcy judge has been asked to sign off Thursday on a $7.2 billion deal to settle the largest lawsuit in the Bernard Madoff fraud -- and it involves the late Palm Beach billionaire Jeffry Picower.
A hearing has been requested by a trustee appointed to recover funds for Ponzi-burned investors. Federal authorities announced the deal with Jeffry Picower's estate last month.
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Is Paula Dockery Wandering Off Gov. Scott's Reservation?
Submitted by Anonymous on January 13, 2011 - 9:34am
State Sen. Paula Dockery -- a member of Rick Scott's transition team -- appears to be drifting away from the governor on key issues.
In a series of Twitter tweets today, the Lakeland Republican blasted proposed cuts in the higher-education budget and beat the drum for high-speed rail. By contrast, the fiscally conservative Scott has broadly called for state spending reductions while taking a dim view of the rail venture.
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Vern Buchanan Vows to Fight for Free Trade on House Subcommittee
Submitted by Kevin Derby on January 13, 2011 - 9:29am
U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., named Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan to the Trade and Oversight subcommittees under the umbrella of the full Ways and Means Committee.
I am honored by the opportunity to serve on such important subcommittees, said Buchanan. Through these subcommittees I will work to ensure that Southwest Floridas needs are addressed."
Buchanan vowed in his new position to fight for free-trade agreements, maintaining that these measures would lead to new jobs in the Sunshine State.
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Florida Third in 2010 Foreclosure Rates
Submitted by Kevin Derby on January 13, 2011 - 9:11am
According to a report released Thursday by Realty Trac, a California-based company that tracks foreclosed properties, 2010 set a record for foreclosure activity in the United States, with more than 3.8 million foreclosure filings on more than 2.8 million properties -- an increase of 2 percent over 2009 and 23 percent over 2008.
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Debbie Wasserman Schultz Describes to CNN her Joy at Being Part of Gabrielle Giffords' 'Awakening'
Submitted by Nancy Smith on January 13, 2011 - 8:43am
Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. -- joyously described for CNN's international audience Thursday morning what it was like to be part of the moment Wednesday when their friend Gabrielle Giffords opened her eyes for the first time and touched her husband Mark's hand.
Wasserman Schultz recounted telling the Arizona congresswoman, 'Come on, you've got to get better, because we expect you up in New Hampshire this summer" at Wasserman Schultz's vacation home.
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Appeals Court on Trial in Senate, Judges Plead Innocent
January 12, 2011 - 6:00pm
The chairman of the Senate budget committee that pays for the courts flayed two Florida appellate judges Wednesday for their role in constructing a new 1st District Court of Appeal building critics have dubbed the "Taj Mahal" for its perceived grandeur while other courts struggle under budget constraints.
Florida’s Budget Hole Deepens to $3.62 Billion
January 11, 2011 - 6:00pm
Floridas budget deficit got a little larger Wednesday, with a state economist adjusting previous projections up slightly to $3.62 billion. And it could get larger still.
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