Citizens Insurance Purchases $1.4B in Insurance
Citizens Property Insurance Corp will return to the private re-insurance market to help pay for hurricane claims during the upcoming season in an attempt to begin weaning the state-backed insurer off taxpayer assessments in the event of a catastrophic storm.
Florida Will Lose Billions in Medicaid Funds
Governor Rick Scott and Senate President Mike Haridopolos have repeatedly called for Congress to give block grants to states and allow them to run the Medicaid program, and as well, a repeal of the federal health care law. But a just-released study for the Kaiser Commission finds that Florida would see a nearly 44 percent reduction in federal Medicaid funding from 2012 to 2021, compared to what would happen under the current law, if Medicaid is converted into a block grant and the health reform law repealed under the House Budget Plan.
A Huge Year in Health with Many Losers, Few Winners
Lawmakers passed a nearly $70 billion budget that included deep cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and dozens of other health programs. They also squabbled for weeks before approving a last-day deal to try to combat pill mills. And they spent hours arguing about issues such as abortion and medical malpractice.
Scott Lies to Floridians, Again
When Gov. Rick Scott foolishly rejected the $2.4 billion grant from the federal government to build the first leg of high speed rail between Orlando and Tampa, he falsely told Floridians that he had helped the feds balance the national budget by rejecting the money.
Floridians: Get Ready to Pay for Septic Tank Inspections
With the deadline passed for the 2011 session, a bill to repeal a program mandating septic tank inspections appeared dead for at least a year.
Call the Coroner: Session Ends in Tallahassee
Today is the final day of the current legislative session and later tonight the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will sign off on the $69.7 billion budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year–a budget that eliminates thousands of jobs, slashes spending on everything from public education to affordable housing and environmental protection, while harming middle class Floridians and low-income families.
Let’s Get to Work Becomes Let’s Stop Abortions for Governor Scott
Although no jobs will be created for the more than 1 million Floridians out of work, a spate of abortion bills which has been the focus of the Florida Legislature, will make their way to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk for approval on Thursday. After an emotional debate that touched on the role of government and personal values, the Florida Senate voted 24-15 giving final approval to a bill that will require ultrasounds before women can have abortions.
Florida Legislature Hands Scott Small Victory
In a 110-5 vote, the House on Thursday passed a tax cut for small businesses estimated to cost $30 million, far short of Gov. Rick Scott’s original proposal to cut the corporate tax rate and a signature issue of his campaign.
Floridians to Vote on Whether to Opt Out of Healthcare
In 2012, Floridians will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that targets President Obama’s signature health-care law. The House on Wednesday approved a ballot measure aimed at allowing Florida residents to opt out of purchasing health insurance.
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