The state’s long-awaited prescription drug database is back on track after state health officials signed a final order today in a bid dispute keeping the program in limbo for months.
The Department of Health signed the order moving forward with the contract with Health Information Design Inc., the Alabama-based company that twice won administrative challenges, although Gov. Rick Scott – who scrapped the database in his budget proposal – remains dubious about it.
“The concerns he’s voiced still remain. He’s concerned about patient privacy and wants to make sure that funding this thing never ends up on the backs of taxpayers. He still doesn’t think it’s the silver bullet that so many proponents claim,” Scott spokesman Brian Hughes said.
Those proponents include law enforcement officials from the state’s top cop, Attorney General Pam Bondi, to Palm Beach County state attorney Michael McAuliffe, and Senate President Mike Haridopolos.
“Stopping pill mills has been my top priority since I took office, and the prescription drug monitoring program that the Department of Health will now be implementing is an important tool in combating this crisis,” Bondi said in a statement. “As part of a criminal investigation, the program will enable law enforcement to act more quickly in identifying and arresting pill mill operators.”
“The database will provide ‘shock and awe’ in Florida’s efforts to end the criminal abuse of legal prescription drugs,” Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said in a press release. “In addition to the Senate’s commitment to the database, pending legislation will strengthen the prescription drug monitoring program and provide even stronger privacy protections for individual Floridians.”
Senate GOP leaders, who didn’t have a sweeping deregulation plan of their own, agreed to negotiate with their counterparts on the issue.
But it’s unlikely they’ll sign off on deregulating the broad swath of professions the House approved in a party-line vote yesterday.
“If it’s important to the House we want to give it every consideration but we want to be very sensitive to particular areas where there have been the scammers,” Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, told reporters today.
Movers and auctioneers are among the professions Haridopolos, a candidate for U.S. Senate, said he’s leery about relinquishing oversight.
“And again, there is a role for government. Let’s not forget about that. We’re not libertarians. We’re Republicans. And we recognize the role for government and we’re going to try to strike that balance,” said Haridopolos, adding that “there’s a difference between regulation and red tape.”
Haridopolos said it’s likely the House and Senate will reach common ground but “some of the areas where we’ve had the historic scam opportunities for bad folks, we’re going to make sure those doors continue to stay shut or at least more in the sunshine.”
Gov. Rick Scott, who’s pushed deregulation of some businesses since taking office in January, said he wants to do away with government oversight that consumers don’t use. (more…)
U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, and Allen West, R-Plantation, don’t agree on many issues, but both have been staunch defenders of Israel and opponents of the Iranian regime.
The two congressmen are scheduled to appear together Sunday night in Boca Raton for a screening of Iranium, a documentary about nuclear ambitions and Islamic fundamentalism in Iran.
The event is sponsored by Boca Raton Synagogue and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. It begins at 7: 30 p.m. Sunday at Boca Raton Synagogue at 7900 Montoya Circle. The program includes a screening of the hourlong film and a Q-and-A session afterward with Deutch and West.
SunPass users can breathe a sigh of relief. Senate President Mike Haridopolos said lawmakers won’t take away the discounts on toll roads, reversing what the Senate did yesterday.
“The discount stays. Period,” Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, told reporters during his weekly Q-and-A this morning.
The Senate had scrapped the SunPass discounts, which vary on different toll roads, as part of its plan to merge some of the state’s turnpike authorities.
Critics said that doing away with the discounts could be considered a tax increase, a potential no-no for conservative Republicans, including U.S. Senate candidates like Haridopolos.
“That is something where there is a legitimate debate going on. Is that a discount or not? How will that be described?” Haridopolos.
Haridopolos said he told Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, who backed the proposal because it would add back about $100 million to the transportation budget that could be bonded to create up to $1 billion in road projects, it’s off the table.
Haridopolos changed his mind within 12 hours of the vote yesterday after talking with other senators and “after taking my opinion,” he said.
“As I got more engaged I thought the discount’s a good idea. I think it encourages people to purchase the pass, to use the pass and that helps with traffic flow across the state,” Haridopolos said.
Haridopolos said the debate could make SunPass buyers more aware that they get the discount and the ability to fly through toll plazas.
“I’ve let it be known that we will not be adjusting those. The discounts will stay in place. We think that especially as you commute across the state of Florida the best thing to do is to keep those discounts in place,” he said.
Thursday’s U.S. House vote for a one-week stopgap funding measure was actually a vote on a defense authorization bill that would provide funding for the military for the remainder of the current fiscal year.
U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, had pledged he wouldn’t vote for any more stopgap bills, but unhappily voted for Thursday’s measure. He blamed Democrats for the situation reaching its current point, but he released a statement that also ripped the Republican House leadership for making military pay a “bargaining chip” in the budget debate.
“The House majority has now placed the funding for the Department of Defense and the funding for the troops down as a bargaining chip…I am disgusted at the perception that the leaders in my own party who did not move a defense bill earlier and are now using the men and women in uniform, the individuals who are defending our freedom, as a way to pass yet another continuing resolution,” said West, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.
He added: “my Yes vote today was for my brothers and sisters in uniform. My no sentiment reflects a disappointment in my own leadership.”
Read other statements from other members of Palm Beach County’s congressional delegation after the jump…
House Democrats pull out the income tax bogeyman and evoked Aretha Franklin in arguing against making public employees pay 3 percent of their income to take part in the Florida Retirement System.
Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, thanked ruling House Republicans for their anticipated support for what he hinted was a tax that will backfire on the majority party in next year’s elections.
“Everybody who pushes the green button is voting for a tax, and the Democratic Party thanks you,” Clemens said.
House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West sought to have the legislation (CS/HB 1405) ruled in violation of House rules, because it’s a bill — but should be a ballot proposal if lawmakers are seeking to enact an income tax. Saunders also told Republicans they should remember the lyrics of Aretha Franklin.
“You better think,” Saunders said, but refraining from song. “Think. Think about what you’re doing to me.”
After a brief huddle and a rule-book review, Rules Chairman Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, decided against Saunders’ motion. Aubuchon said any questions about the constitutionality of the pension contribution would be for courts to decide.
State workers would have to contribute between 2 and 6 percent of their annual salaries to their pension plans under an angst-ridden measure approved by the Florida Senate by a 26-13 vote this afternoon.
“I wish we didn’t have to go there. but I think it’s the responsible thing to do when you look at the broad set of issues,” Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, apologized before the vote.
The chamber also approved an amendment requiring lawmakers and statewide elected officials to kick in slightly more. They’d have to pay in 7 percent of their annual earnings above $50,000 towards their retirement plans.
Motorists could say bye-bye to the 25 cent savings they typically get when use the SunPass card to speed through Florida toll exchanges.
The Senate approved a bill (SB 2152) merging the state’s turnpike authorities that includes an end to the 5% SunPass discount over the objections of several Republicans.
“We should not raise the fees. Keep our word,” argued Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, who tried to amend the bill to take out the elimination of the discount.
Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander argued that the discount began when SunPass was created to ease back-ups at toll booths. Since then, SunPass users enjoy special lanes they can zip through without even slowing down, Alexander said.
Doing away with the discount would add $100 million to the state’s transportation budget, which translates into $1 billion worth of projects if bonded.
“For me I think that’s worthwhile doing,” Alexander, R-Lake Wales, said.
Norman’s amendment died on a voice vote, and the bill passed by a 28-11 vote.
House Speaker Dean Cannon’s latest push to revamp the Florida Supreme Court sailed through a House panel Thursday in a vote divided on party lines — with Democrats ridiculing the measure as unneeded and chiefly a partisan payback.
“What is the rush for this?” asked Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach.
Cannon has been at odds with the court since justices last summer struck from the ballot three initiatives approved by the Republican-ruled Legislature. But bill sponsor Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, said the proposed overhaul is “about accountability and efficiency.”
Another Republican supporter, Rep. Charles McBurney of Jacksonville, said the legislation, “is a transformative resolution.” The Judiciary Committee approved the legislation 12-6.
The bill (CS/HJR 7111) would expand the current seven-member Florida Supreme Court to 10 members — but divide it into two divisions, civil and criminal. The approach is less sweeping than a larger court division initially proposed by Cannon, and backs away from his earlier call for eliminating Judicial Nominating Commissions and giving the governor more autonomy in naming judges.
The measure is aimed at the 2012 ballot, where at least 60 percent of voters would have to approve the change for it to become law.
Supporters also worked to sell the legislation, saying it includes state funding provisions designed to avert the cash crunch that this week threatened to shutter courtrooms statewide. (more…)
The measure (2142) is the brain-child of Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales. Although lawmakers set the maximum amount of property taxes the districts are allowed to levy, the governor, who appoints the district members, has the ultimate say over how they spend it.
That’s not fair, Alexander said. He wants the legislature to have more financial oversight of the districts. The South Florida Water Management District got into hot water several years ago for lavish spending.
Only three Senators voted against the measure: Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston and GOP Sens. Thad Altman of Melbourne and Paula Dockery of Lakeland.
The Florida Senate approved its $69.8 billion spending plan by a 33-6 vote after spending about an hour politely debating its pros and cons.
Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander acknowledged the plan is tough on state workers, who would be required to contribute between 2 and 6 percent to their pensions.
“We are asking a lot from our state employees. It has been a while since folks have had raises. I get that. But I also know in my district virtually every business has had layoffs…Many businesses have closed. Many businesses have struggled to remain open,” Alexander, R-Lake Wales, said, adding that he hoped his budget would prevent lawmakers from having to make future cuts to state workers.
“One of the biggest pressures we have in our job is when we’re insecure about our future,” he said. He said he hopes the plan gives workers “a reasonable confidence…that we will not be continuing to add to that burden going forward.”
According to Sen. Don Gaetz, lawmakers could either sign off on the nearly $4 billion spending cuts in the budget or raise taxes.
But Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston said lawmakers had not even attempted to close tax loopholes that could have pumped billions back into spending on health care for the poor, frail and elderly.
“In the long run, I really believe this budget is being balanced on the backs of our public employees, state workers and our working families,” Rich said. Closing loopholes are not tax increases. Nobody’s standing up here and urging a tax increase.
What I am urging is fairness in our tax structure so we don’t constantly put the emphasis on those who have the least and give to those who have the most.”
President Obama’s disapproval ratings have climbed in Florida, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds, with 52 percent of voters giving negative marks to his job performance and 44 percent approving.
Voters in the key swing state say, by a 51-to-42 percent margin, that Obama doesn’t deserve a second term. He’d lose to an unnamed Republican opponent by a narrow 41-to-38 percent margin. Those numbers are slightly worse for Obama than in Quinnipiac’s February survey of Floridians’ presidential sentiment.
Nelson: 47 percent approval
Numbers are better for Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, who’s up for reelection next year. Nelson’s approval/disapproval score is 47/26 and voters say he deserves reelection by a 43-to-35 percent margin. Still, with potential GOP challengers largely unknown, Nelson wins a hypothetical match-up against an unnamed Republican by only a 43-to-39 percent margin.
Dueling budget plans were poised for votes Thursday in the House and Senate – a milestone for lawmakers still far from consensus and struggling to close an almost $3.8 billion budget shortfall.
But during almost daylong debate Wednesday, the Senate made the most striking move – breaking with the House on making 655,000 teachers, police, firefighters and other government workers contribute 3 percent of their pay to the state’s retirement plan.
Instead, senators rolled out an alternate approach, requiring 2 percent to 6 percent contributions. Supporters said the plan would be easier on lower-income employees – the bulk of those enrolled in the Florida Retirement System.
“Our intention is not to run (costs) up higher than it has to be,” said Senate Budget Chief J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, is expected Thursday to revive his call for making elected officials pay 7 percent into the retirement system.
The move drew lengthy debate Wednesday – but a vote was postponed, when Sens. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, and Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, argued against the higher rate.
The GOP U.S. Senate primary campaign is heating up as former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner of Boca Raton came out swinging today against former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux.
“Conservatives across Florida and the country shouldn’t just be outraged, we should be insulted. This is the same George LeMieux that once proudly said, ‘I describe myself as a Charlie Crist Republican’ and said he was Crist’s ‘junior partner,’” Hasner said in the fundraising memo entitled “Unbelievable.”
Crist appointed LeMieux to the U.S. Senate to fill in a vacancy created by Mel Martinez, who retired before his term was up. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio now holds the post.
Team Hasner has also launched a “Charlie Crist Republican” website featuring an image of Crist and LeMieux that’s reminiscent of the Crist-President Obama man-hug picture that Marco Rubio used against Crist in the 2010 Senate primary.
House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders came up with a way to add $105,000 to the Alzheimer’s Mobil Network: Do away with the Department of Elder Affairs deputy secretary/chief of staff position.
Saunders, D-Key West, said “no one can seem to tell me what the position does.” He offered an amendment doing away with the unnamed person’s post and shifting the money during debate on the state budget just before this evening’s floor session ended.
Who holds the job that isn’t listed on the position agency’s “Other Key Department Staff” page?
Ron Whitaker, former Republican Party of Florida executive director.
Saunders brought Whitaker’s resume with him onto the House floor, but said the Alzheimer’s advocacy folks asked him to withdraw the amendment for fear that it would get their funding cut in House-Senate conference.
“I think the point was made,” Saunders said, although he conceded “nobody was paying attention” as the budget debate dragged into the evening.
- The Orlando Sentinel’s Aaron Deslatte contributed to this blog.
The crowd came to the Capitol the same day the House and Senate were debating next year’s budget proposals — which seek to include enough dollars for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities that the rate reduction would be lifted.
But for the closing three months of the current budget year, jobs are threatened and group homes may close, advocates said.
“Most of our staff makes less than $8-an-hour,” said Ross O’Banion, executive director of Angels Unaware, Inc., which operates eight group homes in the Tampa area. “They’re not in it for the money. And about 70 percent of the people who live in our homes have no parents, no nearby relatives, or they’ve been taken away from parents because of abuse.
“They have no safety net,” O’Banion said.
Advocates for those with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, spinal bifida and other disabilities organized Wednesday’s gathering at the Capitol, which drew hundreds from around the state.
But those at the rally were disappointed. No lawmakers emerged to address the crowd when it began gathering outside the Capitol. And outside Scott’s office, where they crowded the reception area and lined a Capitol corridor, supporters said a Scott aide stepped out only to tell them the governor was out of town — touting tourism in Palm Beach County.
GOP House leaders hatched a new plan to keep the Florida Supreme Court from scrapping the legislature’s proposed constitutional amendments from the ballot.
The new plan (HB 1261) is the latest salvo in House Speaker Dean Cannon’s battle with the high court, which last year removed three proposed constitutional amendments the legislature attempted to put on the ballot. Cannon released his latest plan to overhaul the Supreme Court earlier today.
The latest proposal would require that the full text of a proposed amendment goes on the ballot even if the court rules the ballot summaries are misleading, confusing or defective. Court challenges about the summaries would have to be filed within 30 days after the amendments are filed with the secretary of state.
A House committee is expected to vote on the measure tomorrow.
Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon said there’s nothing to a Democrat’s accusations that he was scolded for saying ‘uterus’ on the House floor during debate last week.
The to-do prompted a fashion craze in the Capitol this week – women (and men) are sporting pink buttons bearing the word ‘UTERUS’ on them.
Randolph said he was chastised by GOP leaders for saying ‘uterus’ on the floor.
“That is silly,” Cannon, R-Winter Park, told reporters this morning. Cannon said he hasn’t spoken with Randolph, D-Orlando, in weeks.
The Speaker said he never banned the use of the word ‘uterus’ and went on to bash Randolph, who used the term during debate on a union bill.
“One of the reasons why he is probably one of the least effective members of the Democratic caucus is he substitutes things that have provocative value or shock value rather than making a policy argument,” Cannon said. “Not only have I not spoken to him, not reprimanded him, nor had any conversation with him, we haven’t banned the word uterus from the floor.”
Randolph, also a lawyer, disagreed.
“I think I’m the most effective at calling out their radical agenda,” Randolph said. “A Legislature that is bought and sold by the Florida Chamber of Commerce will not let us pass bills that effectively protect the middle-class and effectively protect women from their radical agenda.”
House Speaker Dean Cannon’s latest overhaul of the Florida Supreme Court would retain a single court but divide it into two divisions – criminal and civil – and increase the number of judges from seven to 10.
Cannon made the concessions after taking into consideration objections from the Florida Bar and judges, he said at a press conference this morning.
The GOP leader has wrangled with the high court since it killed three constitutional amendments pushed last year by the Republican Legislature.
Cannon, a Winter Park lawyer, said he’s trying to foster an environment in which “the branches can have an appropriate discourse” but which reaffirms the legislature as “the policy-making branch.”
Cannon also backed off his earlier plan to revamp the way judges are selected for the bench. Cannon’s originally wanted to scrap the Judicial Nominating Commissions, the governor-appointed panel that give the names for prospective Supreme Court judges to the governor, who makes the appointments. Cannon’s latest plan would allow Gov. Rick Scott to select new members to the panel.
And Cannon’s reversed his position on opening up complaints about judges. Instead of opening up the records to everyone, Cannon wants to make it easier for the House, which has the authority to impeach judges, to get the records. The records would then be open to the public after impeachment proceedings begin.
Scott waited until the last minute to approve the bailout. Palm Beach County’s chief judge Peter Blanc said Scott needed to approve the loan by Friday to prevent the furloughs. The budget deficit was caused by a drop in the number of foreclosure filings, fees from which make up the bulk of the court’s spending.
Scott and Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady reached an agreement this morning, according to a press release issued by the court’s spokesman Craig Waters, to keep the courts running through the end of May.
The courts needed $72.3 million in emergency funds to keep operating through the June 30 end of the budget year. Scott had previously agreed to shift $14 million from court-related funds to pay for day-to-day operating expenses, but that is only enough to keep the courts functioning only through April 30.
Details of the amount and conditions of the loan were not immediately available, but the courts will cover the remaining shortfall through a “supplemental appropriation” not included in Canady’s original request of Scott, according to the release.
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