(Wednesday, May 8, 2013, Tallahassee) Florida’s
Legislature concluded its annual lawmaking session on time last Friday,
passing a balanced budget while addressing a wide variety of other
issues ranging from texting while driving to restricting the use of
drone aircraft. But perhaps, most notable, this session was remarkable
for what was not accomplished, as lawmakers failed to agree on a
plan for expanding health care to lower income Floridians in light of
the looming changes coming to our nation’s health care delivery system.
(Friday, May 3, 2013 – Tallahassee) By all major indicators, Florida’s state legislators appear to be on track for an on-time wrap-up later today, the 60th and final day of their annual lawmaking get-together. With agreement on a record $74.3-billion state government financing plan for the next fiscal year and, after handing Gov. Scott his top two priorities – a teacher pay raise and a manufacturing equipment tax exemption – all appears on track at this point for a soft landing, despite a slight road bump encountered earlier this week.
(Friday, April 26, 2013, Tallahassee) – The
next-to-the-last week of Florida’s annual spring lawmaking session saw a
flurry of activity on a wide variety or proposals, but a plan in the
Senate to scrap Florida’s PIP/No-fault auto system was not in that mix.
With committee work largely complete, the proposed bill, SB 1888 by
Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs was not scheduled to be heard in
its only committee of reference, meaning any further consideration this
session is highly unlikely. Though recent news accounts quoted Simmons
as saying he believed the subject could likely be the focus of a
special session, Senate President Gaetz responded saying it would be
best to wait until the courts rule on the pending injunction before
considering a new plan.
(Monday, April 22, 2013 – Tallahassee)
In light of current judicial and legislative action relating to
PIP/No-fault auto insurance, your FCA Board of Directors reaffirmed
at their quarterly board meeting last week a directive to the Executive
Staff and Lobby Team to continue efforts to preserve PIP as a top
legislative priority.
“Seek solutions to problems
in PIP re-write legislation while supporting continuance of PIP
and advocating a strong chiropractic position in any BI or other
legislation proposed to replace PIP,” was the Board’s
official statement adopted by unanimous consensus.
(Friday, April 19, 2013 – Tallahassee) With just two weeks remaining in this year’s annual legislative session, lawmakers in the capitol welcomed over 100 visiting DC-members and students from Palmer Florida on Tuesday for the FCA’s annual “Chiros in the Capitol” event. In addition to individual meetings with their lawmakers, attendees listened to addresses by House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel), Senate President Pro Tem Garrett Richter (R-Naples), and Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith (D-Ft. Lauderdale). The day’s highlights also included a special tour of the Senate Chambers hosted by Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater).
Legislative Updates 