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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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Guns on campus bill advances in Florida Senate

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A bill filed by Crestview Republican Greg Evers that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns onto college and university campuses moved along in the state Senate on Monday. The Senate Higher Education Committee voted along party lines to advance the bill.   An identical bill in the House sponsored by Greg Steube has also passed its first committee. It now sits in the House Higher Education and Workforce subcommittee. The bill is opposed by Florida State University President John Thrasher and the…

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Must-read: Vocational rehab program could be on the state’s chopping block

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There’s a bill floating through both the House and the Senate that has raised nary an eyebrow, but could have some very real implications for people with disabilities in Florida. The agency that runs the program isn’t speaking out about it. And organizations that support persons with disabilities have been lukewarm on the issue. But one Tampa woman is trying to shine a light on a bill she sees as a potential dismantling of crucial disability benefits. Faith Olivia Babis was…

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Florida ABLE act moves swiftly through House, Senate panels

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A slate of proposals to create a new statewide framework for assisting people with intellectual disabilities made progress in both chambers of the Legislature Wednesday. SB 7030 and HB 935, sponsored by Sen. Kelli Stargel and Rep. Ray Rodrigues respectively were unanimously passed by House Children, Families & Seniors and Senate Education Appropriations. “Establishing the Florida ABLE Act is part of a larger effort by the Legislature this session to support a path to economic independence for individuals with unique abilities,” said Rodrigues in…

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Senate Insurance Panel OKs FMA’s ‘Right Medicine, Right Time Act’

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The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee gave the green light to the Florida Medical Association’s top priority: a bill that precludes insurance companies and HMOs from limiting direct access to medications without prior approval from a government-housed clinical committee. It’s being called the “Right Medicine, Right Time Act” and it most likely will be the center of the biggest tussle between the physician and insurance industries for the 2015 session. Under the provisions in the bill an insurer and its…

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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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Senate unanimously passes greyhound injury reporting bill on opening day

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In keeping with the tone set by the Weatherford-Gaetz style of legislative leadership, Senate President Andy Gardiner has seen fit to pass a bill on the first day of Session. SB 2 — or the Vicky Q. Gaetz Racing Greyhound Protection Act, if you will — sponsored by state Sen. Eleanor Sobel of Hollywood was approved by the full Senate Tuesday. “Racing greyhounds are prone to injuries, which can too often lead to horrible pain and premature death,” said Sobel in a statement. “Injury reporting is a…

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