MiamiHerald.com: Legislature

Sweet deal for state taxpayers or Scott donor giveaway?

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:25 EDT

Critics see political donations and heavy lobbying by Heritage Property and Casualty as evidence that Citizens Property and Gov. Rick Scott are tapping the insurer’s $6.4 billion surplus for special giveaways to politically-connected companies.

Senate president, House speaker tout legislative accomplishments during tour

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:37 EDT

Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford hit the road to highlight what they see as success stories of their joint legislative agenda and the 2013 state budget.

Gov. Rick Scott signs elections bill to fix long voter lines

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:01 EDT

Gov. Rick Scott completed Florida’s election law about-face, signing a bill to reverse changes to early voting laws.

Gov. Scott vetoes hundreds of millions from state budget

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:56 EDT

From a coast-to-coast bike trail to tuition increases, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed more than $350 million from the state budget, which he signed Monday.

Gov. Rick Scott to veto tuition hike

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:26 EDT

When he signs the state budget Monday, the governor is also expected to approve an extra $65 million for safety-net hospitals like Jackson and Broward Health.

AARP cancels Florida sweepstakes, blames new state gambling law

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:04 EDT

A new state law cracking down on gambling prompted the nation’s retirees association to eliminate its contests.

Gov. Rick Scott’s choice: to veto or not to veto?

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:36 EDT

Gov. Rick Scott, who campaigned on a pledge to shrink the size of government, has until next week to decide how to trim the largest budget in state history, $74.5 billion.

Fred Grimm: Boondoggle? Hey, it’s for the kids

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:12 EDT

Tallahassee has long resonated with talk about our precious, precious school children. Except lately the allusion has become quite literal.

Florida lawmakers pay peanuts for health insurance

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:24 EDT

The state House quietly kept members’ health insurance rates low. How low? Less than 9 bucks a month.

Miami Dolphins spent big bucks on campaign for canceled election

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:06 EDT

In six weeks, the political campaign for tax dollars to fund a Sun Life Stadium renovation became one of the most expensive in Miami-Dade history.

Fight over money for tutoring went down to the wire

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00 EDT

South Florida lawmakers led the charge to give millions of dollars to private tutoring firms, even after revelations of fraud and lax oversight in the programs.

Pet projects may face Governor Rick Scott’s veto pen

Sat, 11 May 2013 19:43 EDT

From alligator marketing to rowing centers, the state budget has millions of dollars aimed at lawmakers’ pet projects. The governor has until May 24 to approve or veto them.

An attack on Gov. Scott that doesn’t add up

Sat, 11 May 2013 23:43 EDT

Florida’s Democratic chairman attacked Gov. Scott over his teacher pay promise. Unfortunately, her math didn’t make sense.

Bill would allow online vendors better access to public school funding

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00 EDT

Though the vote garnered little attention from outside observers, Republicans hailed it as among the year’s most important victories for school choice.

Agency puzzled over windfall for springs

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00 EDT

Lawmakers approved spending $10 million to protect the state’s springs, but the Department of Environment Protection doesn’t know what to do with the money.

Governor expected to veto tuition hike

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:43 EDT

State universities say they aren’t counting on extra money the Legislature approved.

David Richardson, Florida’s first openly gay lawmaker, to be honored by SAVE Dade

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:29 EDT

Gay-rights group SAVE Dade will honor Florida’s first openly gay legislator and two straight political allies.

Miami-Dade mayor sees no voter ‘animosity’ toward him over Dolphins deal

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:29 EDT

Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he is not worried about potential political fallout from the subsidized Sun Life Stadium renovation deal he negotiated with the Miami Dolphins.

Despite differences, Miami-Dade lawmakers delivered

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:30 EDT

Miami-Dade lawmakers came together to win money for local projects and block property insurance rate hikes.