Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala held a roundtable discussion Tuesday in Palm Beach County with lawmakers, local leaders and public-safety officials to address Florida’s opioid crisis.
The Very Best Idea in Florida Right This Minute comes from Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, who is asking Gov. Rick Scott to call Florida’s heroin epidemic by its right name: a public health crisis. This should be a no-brainer for Scott. With heroin-related hospital bills running at close to a billion a year in Florida, a governor who made millions as a hospital executive and reportedly aspires to higher office should take the state’s opioid addiction problem at…
With just a few weeks until the election, organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. — Neal Dunn has earned the support of the National Right to Life. The organization endorsed Dunn, a medical doctor, in his campaign for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. “This endorsement reflects your commitment to strengthening a culture of life throughout the nation and in the U.S. Congress,” said David N. O’Steen, executive director, and Karen A. Cross, political director of…
Political newcomer and multimillionaire businessman Randy Perkins’ entrance into the campaign to succeed Rep. Patrick Murphy has shaken up the dynamics of that race since his November announcement. First, perceived Democratic front-runner Melissa McKinlay, ended her own bid for the 18th District within weeks of Perkins launching his, citing his ability to self-finance and her desire to continue serving full-time as a member of the Palm Beach County Commission. Then FloridaPolitics.com broke the story that Perkins transferred a million dollars into his…
Democrat Randy Perkins took in a massive $1.35 million dollar haul during his first active month of running for Congress, his campaign announced Monday. The independently wealthy political novice raised some $425,000 from donors, as well as chipping in $1 million of his own money during the fourth fundraising quarter of 2015. Perkins is seeking to succeed U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, who is vacating the seat to pursue the open Senate seat currently held by Sen. Marco Rubio. The Perkins campaign touted the eye-popping…
If you’re a reporter, you didn’t have to be in Jacksonville yesterday to learn the details of Governor Rick Scott‘s $79 billion budget. That’s because the governor’s press office helpfully sent out email after email to highlight aspects of the vast budget throughout the day, where the highlights include $1 billion in tax cuts and cutting 863 state jobs. There’s been a lot of news from Tallahassee of late, because the Legislature will convene for the 2016 session in less than…
Palm Beach Commissioner Melissa McKinlay announced Thursday she will raise money for her congressional campaign in Tampa this weekend — and she’ll be joined by some serious local Democratic brass. Five-term Tampa U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor will address attendees at the brunch event Saturday morning in support of McKinlay, who is seeking the 18th Congressional District seat left open by incumbent Democrat Patrick Murphy‘s decision to run for the Senate in 2016. Besides Castor, who will keynote the event, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, St. Petersburg…
