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James Call - page 22

James Call has 398 articles published.

Day 1 with Andy Gardiner: Medicaid, greyhounds, water and a ‘long way to go’

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Senate President Andy Gardiner spoke with reporters for about 10 minutes Tuesday after the Senate adjourned its first session of the 2015 legislative session. The discussion highlighted the differences separating the House and Senate as they begin writing a state budget and addressing other priorities. While the Senate is focused on prison reform, providing access to health care for the uninsured and new regulations for greyhound racing, the House priorities include a gambling initiative, water policy and changes to the…

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Rick Scott boasts ‘Florida Exceptionalism’ in State of the State address

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Gov. Rick Scott artfully wrapped his approach to government in a cherished American value when he delivered the annual State of the State speech to open the 2015 legislative session. “I believe we are the best place in the country and the world to make dreams come true,” said Scott. “I call this Florida Exceptionalism.” Scott’s journey from public housing to the Governor’s Mansion is an exceptional story and it follows that he would embrace Alexi de Tocqueville’s idea that…

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The Day That Was In Florida Politics – March 2

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Marijuana, gambling and a big party were on the state Capitol agenda Monday, indicating that prohibitionists may find it difficult to be heard during the 2015 Florida legislative session. Session begins Tuesday morning at 9:30 when the Florida House of Representatives convenes but the week began with a hearing on a proposed rule for the marijuana bill lawmakers approved last year. The Office of Compassionate Use Director Patricia Nelson fielded questions and listened to comments for about eight hours on…

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Delayed medical marijuana draft rule gets new public hearing

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Don Clifford’s vision is getting closer to becoming a reality. Clifford is leading a group of investors who have put up $7 million to build the world’s largest indoor marijuana cultivation facility.  Monday he was in Tallahassee for a hearing on a proposed rule for Florida’s Charlotte Web law. Regulators and stakeholders have been meeting since August trying to agree to a regulatory structure for the legal cultivation of marijuana and the processing of oil for a medicinal product. “I…

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Dana Young makes opening move on expanded gambling

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House Majority Leader Dana Young made the opening bid Monday on expanding gambling operations in Florida. The Gaming Control Act of 2015 provides for up too two destination resorts in Florida, a constitutional amendment to lift a moratorium on further expansion, decoupling of greyhound racing from other gaming opportunities and the reversion to the state of 12 dormant wagering permits. “This is going to be a very active discussion this session, said Young.  “And I believe there are no right…

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The week ahead: Tally turns into Capital City

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Tallahassee will become the capital city this week when lawmakers arrive at the state capitol Tuesday for the 2015 Legislative Session and begin debate on how to spend $77 billion. Other issues as well will be considered during the next 10 weeks; developing a state water policy, curbing the use of standardize test in public schools, allowing guns on university campuses, and changing regulations governing alcohol, gambling and marijuana. For the inhabitants of the Capitol Political Media bubble the two-months…

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Pam Bondi goes to Nevada

Drawing on lessons learned after a nightclub massacre last year in Orlando, Attorney General Pam Bondi and members of her

The week in Florida politics: Gerald Bailey fallout, medical marijuana and more

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This week at the state Capitol, we learned that Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam was a bit more concerned about how Gerald Bailey left the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and in preparation for the 2015 legislative session, we had some fun with numbers. The Tampa Bay Times secured Thursday a draft of an opinion piece Putnam considered submitting to state newspapers that echoed some of the concerns media members expressed in a Sunshine violation suit. The aftermath of the Bailey…

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The end for SaintPetersBlog

Ever since I acquired the rights to the perfect domain for my efforts — FloridaPolitics.com — I knew that one

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