MiamiHerald.com: Legislature

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.

Analysts: Supermajority not needed on tax cut vote

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:42 EDT

Legislative analysts flip-flopped on whether lawmakers’ vote on Gov. Rick Scott’s manufacturing equipment tax cut was valid.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Federal appeals court: Florida law prohibiting hiring of companies tied to Cuba is unconstitutional

Mon, 06 May 2013 19:14 EDT

A three-judge panel affirmed an earlier ruling by a federal judge in Miami blocking the law from taking effect.

Democrats urge Gov. Rick Scott to call special session on Medicaid

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:30 EDT

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and other Florida Democrats say the state needs to expand Medicaid under a program that would cover another 1 million Floridians using billions in federal money.

Weatherford’s veer to the right confuses Democrats, wins support from Republicans

Mon, 06 May 2013 19:29 EDT

The House Speaker’s veer to the right confuses Democrats, but helps him win support from Republicans.

Legislature 2013: Winners and losers

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:05 EDT

Below, a list of some of the bills that were approved or failed in the 2013 legislative session. Unless noted, the bills that passed still must be signed by Gov. Rick Scott before they become the law of the land.

Cancer treatment bill awaits Scott’s signature

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:38 EDT

Among the healthcare-related achievements of the legislative session that ended last week: passage of the Cancer Treatment Fairness Act, a bill that now awaits the signature — or veto — of Gov. Rick Scott. It would require insurance companies to cover oral chemotherapy treatment in the same manner they cover the treatment when administered intravenously by injection.