The Florida Current http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/ Law Enforcement & Public Safety Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?32202984 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T7:50:54Z The House proposed a $290 million increase in the budget for public safety. The Senate amended the House proposal and set the stage for the two chambers to hammer out differences in their respective proposals for a state budget. Read more ... Democrat lawmakers unsure APD can handle Senate scholarship bill http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37103452 Arek Sarkissian 2014-04-04T6:29:38Z Sen. Dwight Bullard said the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities is not in the scholarship business. Experts to meet on impact of pharmaceutical drug bill on state workers insurance http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37103451 Arek Sarkissian 2014-04-04T5:23:25Z The difference in estimates of the proposal's cost vary by nearly 900 percent. State economists Monday will analyze a proposed regulation for the state health insurance prescription drug benefit. Executive: Governor http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?34373418 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T3:15:57Z The Florida Current reports that the Senate passed a resolution to give voters a chance to clarify Supreme Court Justice appointments when the governor and justice's terms expire on the same day. Read more ... House panel approves pension overhaul http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37103447 Bill Cotterell 2014-04-04T2:53:31Z The proposal is to automatically place newly hired public employees in an investment 401 (k) plan when they fail to make a choice within eight months of starting their job. Economic Development Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?32481723 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T2:51:48Z Having followed the necessary parliamentary procedures, Florida House and Senate are now in a position to negotiate the differences in the chambers' respective budget plans. Read more ... Courts & Legal Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?32202983 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T2:47:40Z Having followed the necessary parliamentary procedures, Florida House and Senate are now in a position to negotiate the differences in the chambers' respective budget plans. Read more ... Environment Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?32203090 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T2:26:45Z The House and Senate differ on beach restoration funding among other environmental spending issues heading into conference negotiations on the FY 2014-14 state budget. Read more ... House sets up clash with Senate over Osceola in transportation authority bill http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37103446 Gray Rohrer 2014-04-04T1:21:11Z The Senate version of a bill to create a regional transportation authority in central Florida would rope in Osceola County by the end of 2016, but the House version delays the merger until 2030. Government Operations Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?32818384 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T1:09:29Z The House and Senate are ready to negotiate a state budget. Read more ... Week in Review for April 4, 2014 http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37056725 Florida Current Staff 2014-04-04T12:14:04Z This week the House and Senate passed different versions of a state budget, the governor signs off on a "scorched earth" policy and a proposed overhaul of the Florida Retirement System is moving in the House. Arrivals and Departures http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37102733 Florida Current Staff 2014-04-04T11:05:18Z The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has eight new members, two former state regulators join Floridians for Fair Business Practices to help repeal a prohibition regarding supermarkets and liquor and a Libertarian candidate for governor hires a marketing director. Transportation Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?31900154 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T10:55:17Z Lawmakers file hundreds of bills each session but the only one they must pass is the one dealing with the state budget. This year, the House proposed $8.9 billion for the Department of Transportation. The Senate passed a strike-all amendment to the House proposal and said let's talk. Read more ... DEP signs trails sponsorship agreement although disappointment remains http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37102414 Bruce Ritchie 2014-04-04T10:46:56Z SB 268 in 2012 authorized the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to seek sponsorship agreements at seven paved trails. The bill faced opposition from some trail users who said the commercial signs would intrude on the outdoors experience. A deal announced this week would earn the state 50 percent of net revenue, or $55,200 based on an earlier response by Bikepath Country, which submitted the only proposal. Agriculture Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?31898746 LobbyTools 2014-04-04T10:27:59Z Florida is getting $5.4 million under the federal farm bill to battle pests while the House and Senate are apart on some related spending issues. Read more ... House and Senate adopt separate plans to spend $75 billion http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37090331 Gray Rohrer 2014-04-03T7:29:49Z The chambers' spending plans are closer than in recent years as lawmakers enjoy a $1.2 billion projected surplus. The differences will be worked out over the next several weeks. Lawmakers have until early May to pass a spending plan. Health Care Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?32202987 LobbyTools 2014-04-03T6:24:24Z Having followed the necessary parliamentary procedures, Florida House and Senate are now in a position to negotiate the differences in the chambers' respective budget plans. Read more ... Amendment to fund separation of FAMU- FSU engineering college passes Senate http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37089846 Arek Sarkissian 2014-04-03T6:08:56Z The contentious amendment will go before House members during the budget conference. Sen. John Thrasher said the decision to "decouple" the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is up to the two universities. FSU supporters want a stand alone engineering school while it's unclear where FAMU supporters stand. House charter school contracting bill headed for chamber http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37089253 Arek Sarkissian 2014-04-03T5:36:18Z The measure streamlines the application process to create a charter school but opponents say it places too many restrictions on school districts. House, Senate pass memorials supporting coal, raising concerns about federal regulations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37089254 Bruce Ritchie 2014-04-03T5:19:21Z "God gave us this resource (coal)," said Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven. "Until we have better technology at some point in the future we need to use it to keep our economy going." Democrats on the House Local & State Affairs Committee disagreed but HB 1027 passed by a 10-6 vote. Senate passes Supreme Court pick amendment on party line vote http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37088830 Gray Rohrer 2014-04-03T4:27:10Z The amendment would clarify that the winner of the 2014 gubernatorial election would be able to replace three Florida Supreme Court justices slated to retire at the end of the winner's term. Senate passes "warning shot" legislation http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37088409 Bill Cotterell 2014-04-03T3:44:08Z Opponents say it sends the wrong message to a state known for gun violence. The proposal is in response to a Jacksonville case where a woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a gun near her estranged husband. Senate passes nursing home lawsuit bill http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?37086486 Arek Sarkissian 2014-04-03T1:18:02Z Supporters tout it as a compromise measure that creates safeguards, opponents say it's a sweetheart deal that shields wrongdoers from being held responsible. PreK-12 Education Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?31900152 LobbyTools 2014-04-03T12:28:05Z The Florida House passed its budget proposal with Democrats noting that an increase in spending for public education comes largely from local property taxes. Read more ... Higher Education Appropriations http://apps.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?31900151 LobbyTools 2014-04-03T12:25:41Z The Florida House and Senate are ready to start negotiations over the budget. Meanwhile, The Florida Current reports that an amendment was added to the Senate budget to separate the joint FAMU-FSU engineering school. The move has ignited debate about racial inequality. Read more...