MiamiHerald.com: Legislature

Business coalitions warn Florida’s failure to expand Medicaid will hurt them

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:31 EDT

The groups argue that businesses may flee the state if lawmakers refuse to accept billions of Medicaid dollars.

Fred Grimm: Rush to privatize is all about bucks

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:42 EDT

Our governor was deeply offended by a burst of unkind aspersions after an insurance company that didn’t exist 11 months ago finagled a $52 million deal out of the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Company.

Online ballot fraud marks the ‘e-boletera era of Miami politics’

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:41 EDT

A rash of computer-related absentee-ballot request irregularities has touched four Miami-area campaigns, led to police raids and exposed how election-fraudsters are harnessing the Internet.

One month later, Florida lawmakers no closer to Medicaid deal

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:38 EDT

Medicaid expansion, or some alternative, remains a long shot in Florida.

Gov. Rick Scott signs bill to speed up executions in Florida

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:14 EDT

Under the new law, Gov. Rick Scott could surpass other governors in the number of ordered executions.

Florida officials use onset of storm season to blast Washington

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:50 EDT

Florida Republicans warned that federal budget cuts could harm the state’s ability to prepare for storm damage this hurricane season.

Judge denies injunction sought by senior arcades

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:48 EDT

A federal judge refused Tuesday to block enforcement of Florida’s new video gambling law, rejecting arguments by the owners of two Broward senior arcades that the measure is unconstitutionally vague and violates the First Amendment rights of their elderly customers.

Gov. Scott signs mortgage-relief law

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:06 EDT

The law aims to protect homeowners from foreclosure abuses.

Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants’ kids vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:42 EDT

Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a measure Tuesday that would have allowed undocumented migrants’ children to get temporary driver’s licenses.

Redland resident challenges lawmaker for South Dade/Keys district

Fri, 31 May 2013 13:08 EDT

The election is still more than a year away.

State, arcades clash in court over video gambling machines

Fri, 31 May 2013 18:00 EDT

A federal judge promised a ruling next week over whether enforcement of a law making the machines illegal should be blocked.

Gov. Rick Scott signs bill to help human trafficking victims

Thu, 30 May 2013 19:51 EDT

Florida victims of human trafficking will now be able to petition the court to expunge arrests and convictions from their record if the acts were committed under duress from a trafficker.

Gov. Rick Scott signs into law wide-ranging bill opposed by scores of environmentalists

Thu, 30 May 2013 19:58 EDT

Asked why he signed a bill that drew hundreds of letters or emails urging him to veto it, Gov. Rick Scott gave a vague response.

Skill or chance? Maquinitas hold tantalizing clues

Mon, 27 May 2013 12:05 EDT

A reporter plays video slots — shut down by a new law — and finds some people are certainly more skilled than he is.

Hue and cry grows over deal for Scott donor

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:02 EDT

The list of lawmakers criticizing Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for a $52 million deal with a new insurance company continues to grow. The latest critic: House Speaker Will Weatherford.By Toluse OlorunnipaHerald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

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.