Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

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James Call - page 16

James Call has 398 articles published.

The day that was in Florida politics — March 18

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Wow, talk about a gaggle. If you want a good understanding of what separates the House and Senate as the session approaches the mid-point check out this exchange between state Sen. Tom Lee and a gaggle of reporters including The AP, Palm Beach Post, Tribune and the Times/Herald Capitol Bureau. It’s the best gaggle of the session so far. Lee’s bottom line is that the Senate will fill the billion-dollar hole created by the end of the Low Income Pool…

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Senate scales back ‘whiskey & wheaties’ bill

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State Sen. Denise Grimsley’s effort to tear down the wall has morphed into moving the door. More than 100 people crowded into a Senate meeting room Wednesday when the Regulated Industries Committee considered a proposal ending a prohibition on grocery stores stocking liquor and spirits alongside beer and wine. Grimsley fought back against an unfriendly amendment offered by state Sen. Jack Latvala that addressed a quirk in the 1930s law requiring grocers to have a separate outside entrance –- actually a…

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Five minutes with Tom Lee — Talk of playing cards while building a budget

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The Senate Appropriations chairman is drawing a line in the sand. State Sen. Tom Lee wants clarity on healthcare spending before moving forward on building a budget and both state Sens. Aaron Bean and Renee Garcia are looking for the money to help him produce a balanced spending plan. The federal Low Income Pool program expires in June and the more than billion dollars it funnels to safety net hospitals evaporates. Lee said that’s an “untenable proposition” for the Senate,…

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Florida for Care walking Capitol halls today for medicinal marijuana

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Florida for Care declared Wednesday a Day of Compassion at the state Capitol. More than 20 supporters of two medicinal marijuana bills fanned out across the Capitol Complex early Wednesday to lobby lawmakers on behalf of HB 683 and SB 528. “They came from all over the state,” said Kari Hicks of Florida for Care. “There are people from Tampa, Sarasota, Miami and Jacksonville and have scheduled constituency meetings with their lawmakers.” Hicks said the group is targeting specifically members…

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The day that was in Florida politics — March 17

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There’s a development in the Gerald Bailey affair I want to tell you about but first it’s FSU Day.  Not that I attended the school or anything but if I’m put on a beat it’s what is in the front of my mind, you know? Like, I’m all FSU, fascinated by Charlotte’s Web rule making, intrigued by the personalities on the Regulated Industries Committee and very grateful that I’m nowhere near Frank Artiles and his bathroom bill. Tuesday morning Seminoles…

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John Thrasher inaugurated as FSU president

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A handful of lawmakers broke away from the state Capitol Tuesday afternoon to attend the inauguration of John Thrasher as Florida State University’s 15th president. Thrasher earned two degrees from the university but his path to the presidency began in 1986 when he was elected to the Clay County School Board. From there Thrasher embarked on a career where he became one of the more powerful figures at the state Capitol. As speaker of the Florida House he worked with…

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4th Floor Files talks with Mario Bailey about government, Ronald Reagan and mentoring

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The latest chapter of “4th Floor Files” talks with Mario Bailey, a lobbyist with the Becker & Poliakoff firm. Bailey represents clients from a variety of sectors including government -– he has six Florida governments including Cape Coral, Hollywood and Lauderdale Lakes, education -– Bethune Cookman, Florida Memorial University and Miami-Dade Schools and businesses –- the Florida Independent Spirits Association, The Safety-Net Hospital Alliance and American Traffic Solutions. Prior to joining Becker & Poliakoff, Bailey served as the chief legislative aide…

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