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Naked Politics

• Galvano not so sure on JD Alexander's Florida Polytechnic

  A major turkey in this year’s $70 billion budget was the creation of Florida’s 12th university, with the Senate’s powerful budget chairman, JD Alexander pushing for it for reasons only he can explain.

  But with Alexander no longer in the Legislature, is support for Florida Polytechnic University waning?

  Perhaps, if [...]

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• Gov. Scott shakes hands with ... Steve Schale? Really?

  At a reception at the Governor's Mansion Wednesday for current members and alumni of Leadership Florida, Gov. Rick Scott shook well over 100 hands, but one definitely stood out -- to everyone else in attendance, if not to the governor.

  Standing in line, waiting to pay his respects to Scott and [...]

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• MDC President Padrón to Florida lawmakers: The needs are great

  A bill that would let Miami-Dade residents decide whether to tax themselves to support Miami Dade College sailed through its first committee stop in the House Wednesday.

  The half-penny sales tax would last five years and be used to fund construction and maintenance projects on Miami Dade's various campuses. Rep. Erik [...]

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• A year after mortgage settlement, lawmakers unveil plan for $200 million in housing aid

  Florida lawmakers announced plans Wednesday for more than $200 million in housing aid from a national mortgage settlement that has languished for nearly a year.

  The House Appropriations Committee approved a tentative plan for the money, deciding to direct it toward housing aid for teachers, veterans, rural physicians, public defenders and others. The plan [...]

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• Mental health team could help severely disturbed kids statewide, expert tells legislators

  A team approach to helping severely emotionally disturbed children that has been serving families in Bradenton since 2005 could be considered for a statewide model.
  Mary Ruiz, president and CEO of Manatee Glens, the largest provider of mental health and addiction services in the county, said she felt “encouraged” by [...]

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• Open season in the Florida Legislature for stadium tax breaks

  It was the equivalent of the tax break Olympics in the Florida Legislature on Wednesday as a range of different sports teams scored approval for new tax subsidies.

  The House Finance & Tax committee approved more than $150 million in new subsidies for Major League Soccer, the Jacksonville Jaguars football team and the Daytona [...]

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• Part of PIP law temporarily blocked by state court

  A Leon County judge has approved a temporary ban on part of the landmark auto insurance overhaul passed last year by the Florida Legislature.

  The Personal Injury Protection reform bill targeted chiropractors, massage therapists and acupuncturists, restricting their ability to provide covered treatment for people injured in auto accidents.

  They sued and Leon County Judge Terry [...]

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• Debbie Wasserman Schultz travels with President Obama to Israel

  From a press release:

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) traveled with President Obama to Israel Tuesday night.
  
  “It is an honor to be in Israel with President Obama for the first foreign trip of his second term as he visits Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan,” said [...]

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• Developer in Cindi Hutchinson corruption case likely to get probation

  The developer who did free work for former Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson could resolve his case next month in a plea deal that includes no jail time.

  On Tuesday, Hutchinson pleaded guilty to unlawful compensation and official misconduct and was sentenced to four months in jail starting April 15. [...]

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• MDX votes to raise tolls on Dolphin, Airport expressways in Miami-Dade

  A late vote Tuesday approving toll increases on State Roads 836 and 112 may be tentative.

  Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) chairman Maurice Ferre said he was so distressed by the 7-6 vote that it was possible the 13-member board will revisit the issue and perhaps reduce the toll rates at the [...]

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