Major policy committees will be first up when the House starts holding committee meetings in September to prepare for the 2018 legislative session, according to a tentative schedule posted online.
When the dust cleared in Tallahassee on Tuesday, one thing was clear: Pinellas was on top when it comes to the state’s funds. Republican Sens. Jack Latvala and Jeff Brandes, who represent parts of Pinellas, landed some plum appointments. Latvala will be the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and alt. chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Commission. Brandes will have a seat on the Appropriations Committee and be the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic…
The bitter race between Jack Latvala and Joe Negron for the Florida Senate presidency has come to an end. “I am withdrawing from the race for Senate President,” said Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, in an exclusive to FloridaPolitics.com. “I am supporting Joe Negron for Senate President.” The deal for Latvala? “I will be Appropriations Chairman,” Latvala said. Negron was magnanimous in victory. ““I look forward to working with Sen. Latvala and the entire Republican Caucus as we represent the citizens…
The Senate Appropriations Committee quickly moved a healthcare train with little-to-no debate. The underlying nursing bill became a “train” after the committee tagged on two House priorities: direct primary care and site selection for new veteran nursing homes or HBs 7047 and 7045, respectively. Both bills were developed by the House Health Innovation Subcommittee. The underlying bill, CS/CS/SB 532, is filed by state Sen. Denise Grimsley and it allows advanced registered nurse practitioners to order medications for patients in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, or mobile surgical…
