Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Author

Michael Moline - page 18

Michael Moline has 306 articles published.

Michael Moline is a former assistant managing editor of The National Law Journal and managing editor of the San Francisco Daily Journal. Previously, he reported on politics and the courts in Tallahassee for United Press International. He is a graduate of Florida State University, where he served as editor of the Florida Flambeau. His family’s roots in Jackson County date back many generations.

Bill targeting public-employee unions advances toward final House floor vote

in Statewide by

A proposal that could decertify public employee union chapters across Florida moved closer to a final House vote Wednesday, as its sponsor denied it was “union busting.” Sponsor Scott Plakon, a Republican business owner from Longwood, argued his bill was about transparency and democratic principles. “This empowers the majority who may not be paying dues,” he said. “Should a very small minority be able to impose their will on people who don’t want to be a part of it?” he wondered…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Ban on public support for profession sports facilities cleared for final House vote

in Statewide by

Two days after the Oakland Raiders won NFL approval to move to Las Vegas, the Florida House Wednesday set a final floor vote on a bill that would ban professional sports teams from building or refurbishing stadiums on public land. CS/HB 77, by Bryan Avila, says “a sports franchise may not construct, reconstruct, renovate, or improve a facility on public land leased from the state or a political subdivision thereof.” The bill — one of a number targeting professional sports — also says the…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Term limits for Supreme Court, appeals judges clear the Florida House, if barely

in Statewide by

A proposed constitutional amendment to impose term limits on justices of the Florida Supreme Court and state appellate judges squeaked through the Florida House Wednesday after a majority defeated a series of unfriendly — even sarcastic — amendments. HJR 1, by Eustis Republican Jennifer Sullivan, won 73 “Yes” votes — one more than the three-fifths support it needed. Forty-six members voted “No.” The measure would limit judges of the district courts of appeal and justices of the Supreme Court to 12…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

House and Senate cement their differences on Visit Florida funding

in Statewide by

House budget writers stuck to the plan Tuesday in rolling out details of their proposed $12.3 billion for transportation and tourism. It would eliminate economic incentives programs including Enterprise Florida, and sharply reduce spending on Visit Florida. “We’re basically following the tenets of (HB) 7005, the policy bill that was passed a couple of weeks ago,” said Clay Ingram, chairman of the Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee. The committee would give $25 million to Visit Florida, rather less than the $76…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

House budget would cut jobs, money for hospitals and county health units

in Statewide by

The Florida House would spend $31.3 billion on health care programs during the next budget year, cutting money for hospitals and county health departments, but boosting spending on mental health and substance abuse programs. Chairman Jason Brodeur outlined the proposal Tuesday morning during hearings before the Health Care Appropriation Subcommittee. It was one of five subcommittee releasing budget outlines, pending release of the formal appropriations bill by week’s end. Under the plan, the state would spend nearly 1 percent less than it…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

House panel votes to abolish PIP insurance effective Jan. 1

in Statewide by

A House committee voted overwhelmingly Monday to do away with personal injury protection, or PIP, insurance in Florida. The vote in the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee was 12-2, with Jay Fant and Blaise Ingoglia the holdouts. PCS/HB 1063 passed despite concerns by insurers that they need stronger protections against bad-faith lawsuits by people injured by their policyholders. Medical providers, meanwhile, argued that requiring accident victims to file lawsuits would make it harder for them to get paid. Michael Grant, a Republican from Port Charlotte, summed…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Insurers prepare for Irma aftermath

Insurance companies are prepared to meet Floridians’ needs after Hurricane Irma, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Insurance Commissioner

Revenue conference prices sales tax exemption for medical marijuana

in Statewide by

Legislation that would exempt medical marijuana from sales taxes would cost $24.3 million per year to Florida’s tax receipts, according to an estimate by state economists Friday. HB 1397, by Fort Myers Republican Ray Rodrigues, is one of five medical marijuana bills to enact Amendment 2 that are circulating in the Legislature. It would impose a number of restrictions on marijuana use — no smoking, vaping, or edibles, for example, although a terminally ill patient could vape. The bill would take effect upon…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

1 … 16 17 18 19 20 … 44
Go to Top