Recent News | The Florida Current

LobbyTools Polling

Previous Poll (click to enlarge)

Popular Bills

HB 0999 Environmental Regulation

SB 0966 Health Care

HB 7127 Department of Transportation

SB 1500 Appropriations

HB 0635 Insurance

SB 1770 Property Insurance

HB 1159 Health Care Facilities

HB 7125 Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles

SB 0084 Public-private Partnerships

HB 0085 Public-Private Partnerships

Bills On The Move

SB 0024 Relief of L.T., a Minor, by the Department of Children and Families

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0036 Relief of Maricelly Lopez by the City of North Miami

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0022 Relief of Carl Abbott by the Palm Beach County School Board

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0038 Relief/Amie Draiemann Stephenson, Hailey Morgan Stephenson, and Christian Darby Stephenson, II/Department of Transportation

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0020 Relief of Marcus Button by the Pasco County School Board

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0018 Relief of Yvonne Morton by the Department of Health

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0040 Relief of Javier Soria by Palm Beach County

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0016 Relief of Jennifer Wohlgemuth by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0042 Relief of Ramiro Companioni by the City of Tampa

SENATE Died in Judiciary

SB 0014 Relief of Dennis Darling, Sr. and Wendy Smith by the State of Florida

SENATE Died in Judiciary

Bills clamp down on 'brownfields' designations after reports

by Bruce Ritchie - 17 hours ago - +

In 2012, the Orlando Sentinel reported that companies received brownfield tax breaks without having to show there was contamination. HB 7007 and SB 4006 require that brownfield sites have cleanup agreements in place with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or be next to such contamination areas. Some say that is too restrictive.

3rd-grade FCAT reading and math scores remain flat

by James Call - 17 hours ago - +

Tests results reveal a stubborn achievement gap among Florida students. More than two-thirds of white students scores indicate they are reading at or above grade level while barely half of Hispanic students and 38 percent of black students reach the mark.

Arrivals and Departures for May 24, 2013

by Florida Current Staff - 22 hours ago - +

The Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists picks a new chairman and the State Board of Education selects a vice chairman.

The Week in Review for May 17, 2013

by Florida Current Staff - 19 hours ago - +

This week we learned what Gov. Rick Scott didn't like in the budget as he signed the overall spending package, that Citizens Property Insurance Corp.'s latest takeout deal wasn't well-received, and that four lawyers at the Department of Environmental Protection were shown the door.

4 DEP attorneys ousted, prompting Facebook backlash

by Bruce Ritchie - 1 day ago - +

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's removal of four attorneys has raised question among environmentalists. Above is the agency's Tallahassee headquarters. File photo from DEP.

Former DEP attorney Christopher T. Byrd wrote on his Facebook page that a new DEP general counsel "is moving in a 'new direction,' not in the direction of environmental protection, thanks (Gov.) Rick Scott." A department spokesman said reduction of four attorneys was about reduced caseload and has nothing to do with less environmental protection.

State settles contract dispute with tech company over website

by Gray Rohrer - 1 day ago - +

The Department of Education has agreed to pay Infinity Software Development $1.25 million to settle a dispute over a $20 million contract to build a website to help get students ready for new academic standards being phased in over the next few years.

Florida pays off federal loans to unemployment fund

by Gray Rohrer - 1 day ago - +

The state made its last payment on $3.5 billion in federal loans for unemployment compensation claims this week.

Divided Citizens board approves retroactive incentive take out plan

by Gray Rohrer - 2 days ago - +

The deal gives nine month-old Heritage Property and Casualty Co. up to $52 million to take over 60,000 policies throughout the state. Heritage will be allowed to select policies without any claims filed over the past five months.

What spending counts as conservation spending? Analysts wrestle with proposed constitutional amendment

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 days ago - +

Environmental groups are supporting a ballot measure that would direct 33 percent of an excise tax on documents towards conservation activities. Analysts say whether the amendment resulted in more or less money being spent would depend on decisions made by the Legislature.