‘Patients’ Right to Know’ Issue Returns
Six years after Florida voters approved the “Patients’ Right to Know” amendment, hospitals are still challenging its implementation. On Tuesday, that battle goes to the state Supreme Court.
High Speed Rail in the Hands of High Court
Two lawmakers who say Gov. Rick Scott has no authority to scrub a Tampa to Orlando bullet train, brought their case to the Florida Supreme Court Thursday in what may be only the first in a series of challenges to the CEO-turned-governor’s approach to the job.
Merit Pay Bill On Track for Easy Passage in Legislature
A proposal shot down last year, to partially base Florida teachers’ salaries on their students’ test scores, cleared key committees in both legislative chambers on Thursday and is on course for easy passage to become law.
DCF Work “Important”, But Nearly 2,000 Jobs Cuts Loom
Gov. Rick Scott on Valentines Day gave Department of Children and Families (DCF) employees some love as he toured the agency, a week after proposing cuts to many of the programs it oversees.
Teacher Firing Rhee Gets Celebrity Treatment from GOP Lawmakers
The former DC schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, who fired long-serving public school teachers whom she thought were not performing well, on Wednesday pressed Florida lawmakers to abolish tenure and do the same.
Scott Outlines Sweeping Changes to Pension Plan
Gov. Rick Scott proposed wide-ranging changes to the state’s pension plan Tuesday, demanding 5 percent contributions from 655,000 public employees and requiring all new hires to enroll in investment plans.
Teachers Weigh In on Merit Pay Talks
The Senate’s key player in the movement to reform teacher pay said Friday that there are still several major issues that the Legislature needs to resolve before pushing forward, including how it will fund merit pay and how teachers of special needs children will be evaluated.
Florida Turns to Texas for Prison Advice
Florida lawmakers turned to Texas on Monday for ideas on how to keep prisoners locked up at a time when the state faces a $3.6 billion budget deficit and cuts, including in the public safety budget, appear likely.
Scott Tweets His Way to Voters
Gov. Rick Scott, in his first widespread attempt to reach Florida voters since being inaugurated more than two weeks ago, took to the Internet Thursday night and Tweeted answers to voters’ questions in 140 characters or less for nearly 40 minutes.
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