HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE The second enrollment period for HealthCare.gov opened on November 15th. In Florida, fourteen companies offer medical insurance plans. Thus far, approximately one-half of the enrollees are returning customers. The deadline for obtaining coverage effective January 1st was December 15th, but consumers have until February 15th to elect coverage starting at a later Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
FLORIDA-GEORGIA WATER DISPUTE The decades-long dispute between Florida and Georgia over water rights is heading to the Supreme Court. Florida continues to assert that Georgia illegally diverts water from the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, depriving the Apalachicola Bay of needed fresh water. Unable to resolve the conflict under the provisions of a 1997 pact between Alabama, Read more about Legal Updates[…]
GROWTH IN GENERAL REVENUES State economists have updated their general revenue figures in preparation for the 2015 Legislative Session. The figures, last reported in August, estimate an additional $70 million for the coffers. This increase will push the projected surplus to over $400 million. STATE PENSION REFORM House Speaker Steve Crisafulli announced his support to Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
The Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate and House for 2015-16 will be as follows: Senate Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando), President Garrett Richter (R-Naples), President Pro Tempore David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs), Chair of the Committee on Rules Tom Lee (R-Brandon), Chair of the Appropriations Committee Anitere Flores (R-Miami), Chair of the Fiscal Policy Committee Bill Read more about Legislative Leadership[…]
Last month, Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins struck down the Department of Health’s proposed rule for regulating medical marijuana in the state. The department will not appeal the judge’s decision and will hold another workshop in Orlando on December 30th to try to develop a rule for regulating the industry. DOH’s plan to utilize a lottery process to Read more about Medical Marijuana[…]