House starts rolling on PIP reform

TALLAHASSEE — A House committee advanced major changes to Florida’s no-fault auto insurance law Wednesday with a bill requiring auto policies to cover only emergency care and services rendered within three days of a wreck. At the behest of Gov. Rick Scott and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Read More

Tuesday Morning Reads: Session begins

TALLAHASSEE — The 60-day slog begins today for lawmakers, lobbyists and other capitol watchers as the legislative session kicks off today at noon. Here are five stories to read this morning as we go into session. * The Orlando Sentinel notes that the session will kick off with budget and Read More

Q-Poll: Voters barely support gambling expansion

By David Royse, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Floridians narrowly support the creation of casino resorts even though most of them believe that they would be good for the state’s economy, a new poll released Tuesday found. The poll, by Quinnipiac University, also found Read More

House GOP advances three congressional options

TALLAHASSEE — A House committee advanced three options for new congressional maps Monday that would create a new Hispanic-leaning seat in Central Florida and make the statewide playing field slightly more Democratic. The maps (named House congressional maps 9009, 9011, and 9013) would all Read More

2011 Central Floridian of the Year: I-Drive hotel magnate experiences joy in giving | Video

Longtime readers of Orlando Sentinel editorials might think they’ve awakened in the Twilight Zone.

See the original post here:
Read More

Wednesday Morning Reads: Prison time for Mendelsohn, fines for ex-DJJ Secretary and maybe no hospital changes for Scott

TALLAHASSEE — Good morning and welcome to this edition of the morning reads. We’re less than a week out to the legislative session and while the capital city is still relatively quiet, plenty is going on elsewhere around the state as lawmakers prepare for the 60-day sprint. * The Read More

Despite years of cutting, Florida’s safety-net services grow

TALLAHASSEE — Throughout the recession and economic hangover, Florida social-services advocates have warned that budget woes could unravel the safety net that supports millions of low-income families, seniors trying to stay in their homes, and people with debilitating illnesses or Read More

Bondi drafts new ‘religious freedom’ constitutional language

TALLAHASSEE — Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday submitted replacement summary language for a 2012 amendment that would strip a century-old prohibition on state funds for religious institutions from Florida’s constitution. Last week, Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis ruled the Read More