FEATURED
STORIES
In first big move as House Speaker, Weatherford leans to the right
By Steve Bousquet and Michael Van Sickler
Tampa Bay Times
With the bipartisan spirit receding from last week’s swearing-in ceremony, Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford looked more like a typical conservative Florida Republican with the unveiling of his committee assignments this afternoon.
Florida Water Management District May Sell Off Conservation Land
By Keith Morelli
The Tampa Tribune
Stung by a slashed budget, the agency that oversees water resources in West Central Florida is taking a hard look at its vast land holdings.
Report: Federal expansion of Medicaid makes fiscal sense for Florida
By Donna Koehn
Herald-Tribune
Florida, with its high number of uninsured residents, likely will need to ante up if it decides to go along with a planned federal expansion of Medicaid as part of health care reform, according to a nonpartisan analysis released Monday.
FLORIDA
POLITICS
Negron will lead the Florida Senate budget committee
By Lloyd Dunkelberger
Herald Tribune
Sen. Joe Negron, R-Palm City, will lead the Senate Committee on Appropriations for the next two years, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, announced today.
Holder to lead House Regulatory Affairs Committee
By Lloyd Dunkelberger
Herald-Tribune
Three state representatives from Southwest Florida will chair new House committees or subcommittees for the next two years, House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, announced today.
Southwest Florida legislators gain political power
By Zac Anderson
Herald-Tribune
Southwest Florida’s political strength is rebounding after a couple of particularly weak years, with three state House members from the region named to lead committees in the spring legislative session.
Florida leaders call for 'sanity' in campaign finance
By Steve Bousquet
Tampa Bay Times
In the world of Florida politics, where cash is king, $500 used to mean something.
Florida lawmakers face challenges in the new legislative session
By Kareem Gantt
Examiner
As a new class of lawmakers were being sworn in on November 20, the road that lays ahead is proving to be a long and winding one.
Slow revolving door to lobbying in Fla. Capitol
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel
Florida legislators make $29,687 a year — not bad for a part-time job, but not exactly king's wages. Their real chance to cash in comes after they leave the state Senate or House.
ENVIRONMENT
AND ENERGY
Florida regulators approve nuclear power rates
By Bill Kaczor
Associated Press
Florida's two largest electric utilities won state approval Monday to charge customers $294 million in costs for future nuclear facilities in 2013, despite objections from consumer advocates.
EDUCATION
Jeb Bush, with cash and clout, pushes contentious school reforms
By Stephanie Simon
Reuters
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush soared to rock star status in the education world on the strength of a chart.
Florida governor calls for $10,000 bachelor degrees at state colleges
By Khristopher J. Brooks
Florida Times-Union
Related: Henderson: Scott's degree gimmick won't help education
Florida’s 28 state colleges, including Florida State College at Jacksonville and St. Johns River State College, should create bachelor degree programs that cost no more than $10,000, Gov. Rick Scott said Monday.
HEALTH
AND SENIORS
Obama health law to face religion-based challenge
Terry Baynes and Jonathan Stempel
Reuters
The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for a Christian college to pursue a religion-based challenge against part of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform, which it claims forces taxpayers and employers to subsidize abortions and contraception.
Florida must fight harder in war on Medicaid fraud
Editorial
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Florida has a major fraud problem in the Medicaid health care program. What it needs in response is a strong anti-fraud unit and a program that moves recipients into managed care.
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