Welcome to

The sponsor of legislation giving consumers more options in the state run insurance pool that was vetoed by Governor Rick Scott isn’t saying whether the legislature will attempt to override the Governor’s veto. Rep. Michael Bileca does say the Governors’ office is willing to talk about the plan during the next session.

“It was a good bill. We think it created more competition because it gave consumers more choice and it created transparency ion the market place. The Governor didn’t think so, but I actually think it created a healthier marketplace, not a less competitive  marketplace” says Bileca.

The legislature would lose its ability to override the veto the after the next time it meets, now scheduled for January.

The state will serve three hundred thousand kids a healthy lunch this summer, but the needs of as many as eight hundred thousand more will go unmet. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam says farmers can provide the food. The problem is getting it to people who need it.

“And so this is an imminently solvable issue in our state and in our country. The abundance of agriculture crates fruits and vegetables that everyone’s mother would be proud to have you eat more of, and we waste a high percentage of it because as a society, we ‘ve become fairly picky” says Putnam.

The state has about 36 hundred distribution points. It would need at least twice that many to meet the needs of those in the school lunch program. The food being distributed is donated by farmers and in many cases the fruits and vegetables have small blemishes that keep them from going to supermarkets.

The biggest debate for Florida lawmakers all year has been whether or not to expand healthcare in the state using federal money. As Matt Galka tells us, the Florida House – the plans main opponent – got their first full crack at the proposal Thursday.

For 2.5 hours, question after question was fired at Democrat Mia Jones about the Senate’s healthcare expansion plan.  Jones took up the proposal that uses federal money to cover uninsured or under insured Floridians because it didn’t have a House sponsor.

“I don’t really feel that we had much movement as I would like to see. I’m hopeful that after tomorrow that we would have some of the amendments that would address some issues and concerns that would raise,” said Rep. Jones (D-Jacksonville).

The House has been a staunch opponent of expansion.  The Senate made it a priority after concerns of other healthcare holes in the state budget. They have attempted to amend it to give the state the power to end the program in three years or if the federal government backs out of giving Florida money. The House speaker wasn’t sold.

“Why would you even go through a process like this to just say you’re going to sunset it?” asked House Speaker Steve Crisafulli after the floor session ended.

Two and a half hours of questions gave way to what is sure to be a lengthy debate over the bill on Friday. A full vote from the Florida House is set for Friday morning. Democrats say they’ll have some Republican support.

“The number is anywhere between 3 and I would say 10 to 12,” said Rep. Mark Pafford (D-West Palm Beach).

They’ll need more than that if they want the bill to pass.

The Senate passed their plan overwhelmingly on Wednesday but have indicated that if it doesn’t pass the House, they’ll need to move on to passing a state budget and revisit healthcare funding later in the year.

The Florida House and Senate hasn’t seen eye to eye about healthcare expansion in the state the whole year. As Matt Galka tells us, the Senate keeps changing their plan to try to compromise with the House.

The Florida Senate isn’t backing down from pushing their healthcare expansion plan. And they want to make one thing clear.

“If you think this is Medicaid expansion, you’re wrong,” said Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville) on the Senate floor.

Senators continued to make the case for why Florida needs to accept federal money to help uninsured or underinsured Floridians.

“We can never lose sight of the people the Senate is trying to help. These are students who by no fault of their own have no access to insurance,” said Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah).

The Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange or FHIX plan –which supporters say can help hundreds of thousands of uninsured – got a full vote from Senators Wednesday.

Lawmakers agreed to five more amendments to the plan to go along with more changes made on Tuesday.

One of the biggest changes – allowing the state to end the program. If the federal government backs out of giving their portion of the money, then the state can make it go away.

Senators say the fixes for FHIX meet the concerns of the state’s Agency For Healthcare Administration. Now they’ll have to convince members of the Florida House

“We have a very tough sell, we’re trying to shine it up for them and hopefully make it more attractive,” said Sen. Bean.

House members are far from on board.

“It’s a house of cards, it’s built on a false premise, and what we really need to do is move past the Senate’s Medicaid expansion plan and focus on the rest of Florida’s budget,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar).

Opponents doubt that even if the proposal passed the legislature the federal government would approve it.

The FHIX plan passed the Senate with only three “no” votes. The Full Florida House is expected to vote on it on Friday.

A ruling by the First District Court of Appeal allowing slot machines in counties where voters have given the okay is under fire in the state legislature. The ruling could allow slots in rural Gasden County and four others. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, lawmakers could act soon to make clear any expansion of slots would require legislative approval.

In January 2012, two out of three voters in rural Gasden County said yes to slots. The State, relying on an Attorney General’s opinion refused a license, but now an appeals court has ruled in favor of voters. State Senator Bill Galvano helped write the law and thinks the court got it wrong.

“The court grossly misinterpreted the referendum provision> It very clearly says it has to occur by legislative authorization” says Galvano.

The ruling could have big consequences. If licenses are eventually granted to Gadsden and four other counties where voters have approved slots, it could void the state’s deal with the Seminole Tribe says their attorney, Barry Richard.

“I don’t think that the legislature or anybody intended that one small county in North Florida would be able to obliterate the compact between the state and the Seminoles and cost the state to lose many millions of dollars every year.”

This ruling has legislative leaders talking. They’re trying to decide if they need to act now while they are here in special session to make it clear that slots can’t be issued without legislative approval.

While waiting for a an appeal is more likely, House Finance and Tax Chairman Matt Gaetz says legislative action during the special session is not out of the question.

“Yeah, I think there are a lot of people in the legislature who have some level of discomfort with the decision that’s recently been issued” says Gaetz.

Adding fuel to the fire is that authorization for black jack runs out in July., and lawmakers haven’t been talking. The latest ruling may get them back to the table.

The Attorney General has two options. One is to ask the appeals court for a rehearing. The second is to ask the State Supreme Court to look at the case. IF she did nothing, the ruling could stand.

A key Senate committee make significant changes to its health care plan today at the state capitol. Senator Arron Bean of Jacksonville says anyone enrolling would have to apply with the understanding the benefits could go away at any time.

“Could end at anytime should the federal government end their participation or if their participation dips below certain percentages, this program could go away anytime. They understand that.”

The committee also took the Governor’s Agency for Healthcare to task for not having senior staff at the committee. A state economist told Senators the Senate plan would save the state more than a billion dollars over ten years.

Former Senate President Don Gaetz has decided against a run for the US Senate seat currently held by Marco Rubio. The Niceville Senator says he would have to give up the remaining 16 months in his term and resigning would be costly and unethical.

I’d have to spend 537 days trying to convince people and the rest of Florida to get to know me and my positions. That would of required my resigning from the Florida Senate. That would of in turn caused a special election in my senate district, which would have caused the people in my senate district hundreds and thousands of dollars. I don’t think that’s right. I don’t think it’s ethical. I think it would be selfish” said Gaetz.

Gaetz is being urged to run for the US House if current Congressman Jeff Miller runs for the Senate.

After a half day healthcare workshop, resistance to expanding healthcare remains strong in the Florida House, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the opposition may have as much to do with what’s in the bill as what it’s being called.

A handful of young professions delivered a petition with 13 thousand names supporting health care expansion to the House Speaker. 2nd year law student  Katharine Huddleston carried the petitions. “I’m actually one of the 300,000young Americans who are in the coverage gap” is what she said to the Speaker’s Chief of Staff.

It appeared to fall on deaf ears.

“When I was 21 years old I was diagnosed with psoriasis. It’s a chronic autoimmune condition. Although it doesn’t have a cure, with consistent, regular medication I can live a normal productive life” Huddleston said afterwards.

State Senator Denise Grimsley agrees that part of the problem is the name.

Q:”Do yo thing the debate would be different if it was called something other than Obamacare?”

“Probably”

Q:”Why do you say that?”

“I just think its very political.”

State Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) didn’t mince words. “Well, Obamacare is the kryptonite word among us Republicans.”

Democrat Janet Cruz of Tampa says there is no question the name is a problem, but questions the reasoning. “Are we really going to get caught up in semantics here when we have eight hundred thousand people int he state of Florida that don;t go to the doctor?”

Meanwhile, A Senate Committee continued to make changes to the plan in an effort to meet objections in the House…

And while House Speaker Steve Crisifulli didn’t use the phrase ObamaCare, he did say this: “You know there’s  a saying if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, its a duck. It’s Medicaid expansion”

The apparent agreement for this special session was that the House would at least give the health care plan a vote on the floor. That’s scheduled for Friday.

The Senate would need all 39 House Democrats and 22 Republicans to pass the health care expansion.

A state economist told Senators their FIHX plan would save the state more than a billion dollars over ten years. The House and Governor have said the plan amounts to a tax increase.

Tax cuts are coming if the Florida House gets their way, but as Matt Galka tells us – the amount that made it out of a House tax committee Tuesday falls far short from the numbers being thrown around earlier this year.

A 2015 budget surplus gave way to the promise of cutting taxes, but healthcare money uncertainty put things in jeopardy. The Florida House is back with a tax cut package significantly less than they wanted at the beginning of the year.

The package promises to save Floridians $436 million dollars over the next two years.  The hope at the beginning of 2015 was that nearly $700 million dollars would be slashed.

A portion of the package that took the biggest hit was cell phone tax savings. The Governor was pushing for an average savings of $43 dollars per year, the package only saves people about $10 bucks.

“I’ve got to fish with the lures that work, we passed a huge CST cut during regular session, and we were unable to get the Senate to take up the reduction in the CST,” said committee chair Rep. Matt Gaetz/(R-Shalimar).

Democrat Jose Rodriguez tried to tack on an amendment that taxed outside businesses operating in Florida and put that money towards healthcare.

“Closing some corporate tax loopholes generates some revenue and would relieve that burden on the local level,” said Rep. Rodriguez (D-Miami).

Republicans voted it down.

The Florida Chamber is happy with the overall proposal even though they were hoping for more cuts.

“Would the Florida chamber like to see a 690 million dollar tax cut package? Absolutely. But the package we saw pass out of House committee today is probably pretty close to what we’ll see at the end,” said David Hart, the Chamber’s Executive Vice President.

Other portions of the package include a three day back to school sales tax holiday moved up closer to the school year – and three separate holidays to help college kids buy textbooks tax free.

The package is part of the House’s version of a healthcare compromise. House leadership said they’re willing to put hundreds of millions of dollars of state money that would have gone toward tax cuts instead towards helping hospitals – if the Senate droops its quest for Medicaid expansion.

State lawmakers are back at the state Capitol for a 20 day special session after  a fight over healthcare derailed budget talks. As Mike Vasilinda Tells us, plenty of special interests are bending lawmakers ears, but few constituents are speaking out.

Americans for Prosperity Buses left Lakeland and Orlando early Monday. They carried dozens of pastors to the Capitol. Margarita Romo came from Pasco county to counter claims that expanded heath care would only benefit those who don’t want to work.

“And we know that in Pasco county, there are twenty-eight thousand people that would benefit from this and that’s the county that I’m from. Over twenty-eight thousand. Why not?”

Q: And the majority of those you say are working?”

“They’re working people, they’re not all sitting around” says Romo.

On the other side? The no tax group Americans for Prosperity which is running a TV spot that says ”Dumping more people on the broken Medicaid program is the wrong answer.”

Andres Malave of AFP says they are also sending post cards to people in districts whose Senators support Medicaid expansion. “Floridians that have received mail from us are folks in the districts of Senators that continuing to claim that they are going to support a broken entitlement program” says Malave.

What is clear is that lawmakers aren’t getting hit with a barrage of email on either the budget or healthcare. Several offices say they are averaging 50 to a hundred a day, but few of those are from constituents.

Sen Nancy Detert says she’s only heard from about 20 of her half a million constituents.

“Those 20 people count, and it’s important.”

Q:”so..if you get 2,000?”

If I get two thousand not from my district, they don’t count” says Detert.

But on July first, state government faces a partial shutdown if there is no budget, and the closer that date becomes, the more likely average people will start paying attention.

The House and Senate are expected to start talking about a budget deal this coming weekend, but neither side shows signs of changing their mind on expanded health care.

Lawmakers left Tallahassee a month ago in a huff, after a nasty disagreement about healthcare in the state. As Matt Galka tells us, they’re back in Florida’s capital city now – on deadline to craft a state budget before the month ends.

The Florida House listened to the sounds of the Beatles. The track “Come Together” played over the loudspeakers shortly before the chamber started a special session to debate healthcare and craft a state budget.

The Boys were Back in Town on the Senate’s side as well. Both chambers were looking for harmony after a meltdown at the end of April during regular session caused lawmakers to call it quits without a state budget.  The sides couldn’t come to an agreement on expanding Medicaid.

The House Speaker indicated that his chamber is still saying “Dream On” when it comes to the Senate’s healthcare expansion pla.

“There’s a saying if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. It’s Medicaid expansion, so whether you’re talking to me or other members, other members may have a problem with the fiscal side of it,” Rep. Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island) told reporters.

The Senate’s position didn’t change much during the past month. They’re continuing to push for their extended coverage plan.

=“I’ve been around for a long time and while I think it’s the right thing to do and it’s about as conservative free market as you’re going to get, the time is right, and some will say well the federal Government won’t approve it, I say lets find out,” said Senate President Andy Gardiner (R-Orland0).

Senators may be humming Don’t Stop Believing over the course of the 20 day special session. It is a long shot the House budges from their stance on healthcare.

The Florida House plans to formally vote on healthcare expansion Friday.  The state’s current spending plan expires at the end of the month, but both chambers say they’re committed to passing a budget before then.

Lawmakers return to Tallahassee on Monday, kicking off their 20 day special session in order to craft a state budget. Matt Galka tells us what they’ll be focusing on.

An abrupt end to Florida’s regular session at the end of April left lawmakers with plenty of unfinished business. Lawmakers are constitutionally required to craft a state budget and will return next week to do so during a special session.

“The Speaker and I both have said that we intend to get a budget done. I know there’s  a lot of talk about a continuation budget and things like that but the dialogue we’ve had is that we’re going to get a budget done and we feel very strongly about that,” said Senate President Andy Gardiner on Wednesday.

A healthcare battle caused the budget breakdown. The Senate wants to expand Medicaid, the House doesn’t.  But more than healthcare will be discussed over the scheduled 20 days. There are 32 bills on the table – like one allowing nurse practitioners to write prescriptions.

“It’s about allowing individuals who are trained to practice to the full extent of our training and medical care for Floridians who need it. It improves access and maintains and quality and can reduce costs,” said Robert Weissert with Florida TaxWatch.

Tax cuts being pushed by the Governor and environmental funding stemming from voter demand will also need to be figured out.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the environmental Amendment 1 but conservationists weren’t happy with dollar estimates during regular session

“The funding is a little light, we believe that both President Gardiner and Speaker Crisafulli are committed to getting Amendment 1 right in this first year and that means fully funding Florida Forever,” said Will Abberger with the Amendment 1 Coalition.

Time is of the essence for everyone looking for a slice of the budget pie.  Lawmakers intend to have everything wrapped up by June 20^th.

Both the Florida House and Senate convene starting at 1 p.m. on Monday. If lawmakers can’t reach a budget agreement before the current year’s budget expires on June 30th, then the state could be forced into a Government shutdown.

A slick new ad in the battle over healthcare expansion portrays Florida Hospitals as greedy and responsible for an increasing national debt. The ad was produced by a political committee called Florida Roundtable, which is tied to powerful Florida State Representative Richard Corcoran of Pasco County. As Mike Vasilinda tell us, healthcare advocates call the spot inaccurate.

The mostly red white and blue ad says the current costs of the current medicaid program are growing rapidly….

“leaving less money for education”

But that’s not what Rick Scott told us recently. “So now, we have a program that we can afford as taxpayers, two, we have recipients now who are responsible for their care, so it’s exciting what we’ve done” said Scott on May 20th.

The ad goes on to bash hospital profits.

”Growing profits paid for by growing debt” chimes the ad.

Damien Filer of Progress Florida calls the ad misleading.

“Well, its not at all accurate for starters, but more importantly, the people of Florida are tired of the constant bickering, and infighting” says Filer, who advocates for expanded health care.

“We reached out to the Florida Hospital Association because they are being portrayed as the villains here, but we haven’t heard back.”

This afternoon, they issued the following statement: “The Florida Hospital Association advocates every day for our hospital members and the patients they serve. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, thousands of caregivers provide quality care to all patients in hospitals — from babies and their mothers to the most frail and vulnerable among us.

In a state with the third highest number of uninsured in the nation, ensuring all Floridians have access to affordable, quality health care services is our top priority. We stand ready to work with all stakeholders on long-term, sustainable solutions that are in the best interest of Florida’s patients and communities.”

The ad also says kids who need coverage already get it and only deadbeats “Who do not work” will benefit from expanded health care.

Karen Woodall has fought for expanded health care since at least 2011.

“So its just totally misinformation.”

We also reached out to Representative Richard Corcoran, a powerful state legislator who’s behind that spot. Corcoran did text us back but only to say he wasn’t at the Capitol.

We also aught up with the Senate President…who wants more health care…He hadn’t seen the ad…nor did he want to.

“Here’s the question, it they’re already out there attacking you, how can you ever reach a compromise?”  And that’s a question that will remain unanswered until at least Monday when Lawmakers return to the Capitol.

Lawmakers begin a 20 day special session on Monday to pass a state budget. Discussions also include the expansion of healthcare, which have so far gone nowhere and blocked any negotiation on the budget.

A year long battle to get medical marijuana into the hands of needy families in Florida could finally be ending. And as Matt Galka tells us, lawmakers could be considering expanding marijuana in the state when the medicine rolls out.

It’s been a long road for a low-THC strain of Medical Marijuana known as Charlotte’s Web in Florida.  The medicinal pot was approved in 2014, but a year long battle between the Department of Health and multiple organizations challenging various sections of their rules has delayed getting the medicine into patients hands. Jeff Sharkey with the medical marijuana business association says it looks like those days are behind the state now.

“It’s been a long process for a lot of people, but I think this rule making process has help clarify – this is a new emerging industry and people wanted some clarification on what they’re going to grow, how it’s going to be fostered, what’s safe,” he said.

A judge dismissed the final rule challenge Wednesday.  Five growers licenses still need to be granted this summer.

The medicine isn’t expected to be available until late 2015 or early 2016, around the same time lawmakers will be back for legislative session.
“There’s been an interest with the Senate in expanding the medical marijuana bill, increasing the number of people eligible. Veterans, people with ALS, a number of other folks with debilitating diseases,” said Sharkey.

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar) sponsored the original bill of the medicine that is believed to help seizure victims. He says it could open the door for medicinal use in Florida.

“Once we get the infrastructure and the systems in place I expect that we can help even more patients in Florida with cannabis,” Rep. Gaetz told us over the phone.

Lawmakers made attempts to expand medical marijuana in the state during regular session this year, but the legislation didn’t get very far.

If lawmakers don’t revisit medical marijuana in 2016, supporters are confident that a medical marijuana amendment will be back on the ballot during election season.  2014’s amendment allowing medical marijuana usage in the state was narrowly defeated.

Three out of our Florida voters said yes to spending an existing real estate tax on purchasing environmentally sensitive land, but then state makers tried an end run, using the money for existing operations. Now, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, and upset environmental community plans to start pushing back.

Here’s why environmentalists are upset….they recommend 155 million for land buys …the Governor one hundred million…but House and Senate budgets had just 8 and and 15 million. Adding fuel to the fire….a third of the money voters approved is still destined to fund existing operations of  the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Amendment 1 Organizer Will Abberger says lawmakers aren’t keeping faith with voters.

“When Florida voters voted yes to fund the Land Acquisition Trust Fund they were voting they were voting for funding to acquire Florida’s threatened wildlife habitat, so funding agency operations that were previously funded out of general revenue seems a little bit inconsistent with that.”

During a conference call, Mary Barley, the principal behind the Everglades Trust promised a full court press to turn voters wishes into reality,

“We will continue to invest and keep you posted, because the cost of inaction could be catastrophic.”

Audubon Florida President Eric Draper acknowledges that dramatically changing funding during a special session is a heavy lift. “Voters should be angry by there fact legislators are not spending the money the way that Amendment one was supposed to be spent” says Draper.

One potential compromise making the rounds is going to a hundred million dollars for land purchases. That’s the Governor’s position. In exchange, he gets the tax cuts he wants.

At a Tuesday news conference, Senate President Andy gardiner  said the tax cuts were still on the table. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re very open to all if it” said Gardiner.

And what is becoming clearer is that the budget,  and money for health care and the environment are all intertwined.

A series of rallies are set for this Saturday to bring attention to the lack of funding. In our area (see below). After the rallies, environmentalists plan a direct mail campaign and robo calls targeting key lawmakers who are following through with funding for land and conservation.

Below is a list of the rallies on Saturday

Alachua

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: 15935 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32615

(Parking at Lowes, Sonny’s BBQ, or other nearby lots. This is the stretch of 441 that everyone uses to get to Spring Country!)

Bradenton

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Manatee County Courthouse, 1115 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205

Fort Myers

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Lee County Alliance of the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33919

Jacksonville

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Walter Jones Historical Park, 11964 Mandarin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223

Melbourne

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Grills Riverside, 6075 N US Hwy 1, Melbourne, FL 32940

On the Lagoon, east side of US Hwy 1, just north of Pineda Causeway.

Miami

City of South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard invites you to a public meeting with the Water and Land Legacy Coalition.

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: South Miami City Hall Commission Chamber, 6130 Sunset Dr., South Miami, FL 33143

Orlando

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Eagle’s Nest Park, 5165 Metrowest Blvd, Orlando, FL 32811

Stuart

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Terra Fermata, 26 SE 6th St., Stuart, FL 34994

Tampa

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Where: Cypress Point Park, 5620 W. Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33607