House Democratic Caucus Members Respond To Legislative Attack On Public Employee Unions

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — House Democratic Caucus members on Friday debated and voted against House Bill 1021, a Republican-sponsored measure that would prohibit the automatic payroll deduction of union dues from public employees’ paychecks.

The bill would require unions to get written permission from members before their dues can be used for political contributions. Democratic Caucus members argued, among other points, that the apparent purpose of the bill is to eliminate public employee unions. … Continue Reading

Special Order Letter for Tuesday, March 15, 2011

March 11, 2011

The Honorable Dean Cannon
Speaker, House of Representatives

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Your Rules & Calendar Committee herewith submits the Special Order for Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Consideration of the House bills on Special Orders shall include the Senate Companion measures on the House Calendar.

I. Consideration of the following bills:

HB 7001 – Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee, Workman
Growth Management

HB 7003 – Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee, Workman
Affordable Housing

… Continue Reading

House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee Hears Presentations on Energy

Tallahassee, Fla. – The House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee today held its fourth meeting exploring energy-related issues of concern to Florida’s citizens in its ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive energy policy for Florida.  The subcommittee heard presentations from Florida State University on modernizing Florida’s electric grid and the potential benefits of developing a smart grid, as well as presentations from professors from Duke University and the Georgia Institute of Technology on renewable energy.  In addition, the subcommittee heard proposals from a variety of providers of both conventional and renewable energy resources. … Continue Reading

House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera Congratulates Representative Jim Frishe on Majority Whip Appointment

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R-Miami) congratulates Representative Jim Frishe (R- St. Petersburg) on his appointment as House Majority Whip.

Leader Lopez-Cantera said, “It was a privilege to serve with Representative Frishe in the Office of the Majority Whip this past cycle and I look forward to working with him again. I can think of no better person to assist our Republican Caucus in promoting lower taxes and encouraging private sector growth than Representative Frishe.”
… Continue Reading

Florida House of Representatives Chair and Vice Chair Appointments

CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR APPOINTMENTS
(Italics – indicates previously announced Chairs)

Please Note Some Members May Have Multiple Assignments … Continue Reading

Memo from Florida Senate President’s Office Re: Waiting for ‘Superman” Movie

TO: INTERESTED MEDIA
RE: WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’ screening

Members of the Florida House and Senate will attend a viewing of the documentary movie Waiting for ‘Superman’ Tuesday at 4:00 PM at the Miracle 5 Theater on Thomasville Road in Tallahassee.

Following the movie, a panel discussion will be held. The panel discussion will begin at 5:30 and last one hour.
… Continue Reading

Florida House and Senate: Special Session Call draft

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
JOINT PROCLAMATION

TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA SENATE AND
THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

We, Mike Haridopolos, President of the Florida Senate, and Dean Cannon, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, by virtue of the authority vested in us by Article III, Section 3(c)(2), Florida Constitution, and Section 11.011, Florida Statutes, do hereby proclaim: … Continue Reading

Legg, Lopez-Cantera Named to Top House Leaderships Positions

Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon nominates Representative John Legg as Speaker pro tempore and Appoints Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera as Majority Leader

Tallahassee–House Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) today named two additional leadership selections for his incoming administration, announcing his selection of Representative John Legg (R- Port Richey) for nomination to serve as the Speaker pro tempore and his appointment of Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R-Miami) as Majority Leader. … Continue Reading

Fiscal Impact and Additional Information on Special Session

Fiscal Impact:
·         Utilizes $9.7 million in General Revenue, which was already appropriated in the 2010-2011 GAA.
·         Makes available $48.4 million in federal trust funds.
·         Expected private sector savings of $34 million annually for worker’s compensation.
·         Savings for the state are estimated at $18 million over 5 years. … Continue Reading

House Democratic Leader Statement Regarding Failed Republican Attack On Health Reform

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston) issued the following statement regarding today’s decision by Leon Circuit Judge James O. Shelfer to throw off the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment dealing with federal health reform: “It is a victory for all Floridians, including our state’s 4 million uninsured residents, that a judge has removed from the November ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would have blocked the state from implementing health care reforms proposed by President Barack Obama and approved by Congress. … Continue Reading

House to list Deepwater Horizon oil spill work group schedule information on web

Speaker Cretul’s goal is to ensure that the activities of the House’s  Deepwater Horizon response work groups are accessible to the public, to the extent practical. He is also mindful of the expense for member travel to Tallahassee during this interim. While notice of work group discussions are not required,  he believes that all meetings of significance involving legislative business on these issues should be open to the public and given as much advance notice as possible.

Speaker Cretul is directing that all work group meetings be noticed and accessible, to the extent practical.  Therefore, work group conference calls (and call-in numbers), as well as all site visits and related events and work plans, are scheduled to be listed regularly on the Deepwater Horizon Response and Recovery Plan page on the House web site, www.myfloridahouse.gov beginning tomorrow, Thursday, July 29, 2010.

We will try to provide as much advance notice as possible, but interested persons should check the house website regularly for schedule updates. As a general rule, if an activity is scheduled on the same day for which it is planned, I will send out an advisory. Otherwise, please check the web site.

In the meantime, FYI:
DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE AND RECOVERY WORKGROUPS

SCHEDULED EVENTS

Thursday, July 29

Workgroup 2 – Assessment of programs and resources to meet immediate needs of impacted areas

Start Date and Time:  Thursday, July 29, 2010 12:30 PM (Eastern)
Meeting Type:             Conference Call
Dial-in Number: (866) 379-2302
Code: 91287542

Consideration of the following items:
The work plan
Member assignments

ADA 20th Anniversary, Award Letters To Reps. Heller & Kriseman

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, July 26, 2010, marks the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which expanded civil rights protections given to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion to include individuals with disabilities. The ADA has guaranteed equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities to access businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs, services and telecommunications. … Continue Reading

Speaker Larry Cretul assigns House to determine “meaningful solutions” to Deepwater Horizon spill

In remarks today to the Florida House of Representatives as it convened for the special session called by Gov. Charlie Crist, Speaker Cretul established six workgroups with specific assignments “to uncover problems and offer meaningful legislative solutions, if possible, and report to me by the end of August.” … Continue Reading

Stolen Valor Veterans Bill Signed Into Law

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Representative Maria Lorts Sachs (D-Delray Beach) welcomed the signing into law of House Bill 1455 (Stolen Valor). The legislation prohibits a person from falsely representing himself or herself as a member of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard for the purpose of solicitation of charitable contributions or participation in charitable or sponsor sales promotion. … Continue Reading

***Fact Sheet on HB 1143***Providing Women the Opportunity to Make an Informed Choice and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars from Being Used to Fund Elective Abortions

Fact Sheet on HB 1143

Providing Women the Opportunity to Make an Informed Choice and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars from Being Used to Fund Elective Abortions

This legislation will provide women the opportunity to view their ultrasound before undergoing an abortion if they choose to. The bill does not force a woman to view her ultrasound nor listen to an oral description of it. The woman can decline this opportunity by simply signing a form. … Continue Reading

Fact Checking The House Majority Office RE: HB 1143 — Republican-sponsored Health Mandate for Women

FACT CHECKING THE HOUSE MAJORITY OFFICE
Earlier today, the House Majority Office distributed a press release about House Bill 1143, a Republican-sponsored health mandate for women. Please find below a few important clarifications suggested from the Florida House Democratic Office that we present in red typeface. … Continue Reading

Myth vs. Fact: The Truth about HB 1143

Providing Women the opportunity to view their ultrasound and protecting taxpayer dollars from being used to fund elective abortions. … Continue Reading

A Veto Of HB 1143 Gives The Green Light For Taxpayer Funded Abortions In Florida

TALLAHASSEE – House Bill 1143, which prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used to fund elective abortions, is expected to reach the Governor’s desk soon.  This legislation employs the option specifically allowed to the states under the federal health care reform legislation recently signed into law by President Obama. The following provisions are contained in the federal health care law: … Continue Reading

House Concludes Successful Session 2010

~Focused on Job Creation, Education, Economy

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Speaker of the Florida House Larry Cretul (R-Ocala) and House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) issued the following joint statement regarding the successful conclusion of the regular Legislative Session 2010, also known as Sine Die:

“The 2010 Legislature concluded its work today by passing a balanced, responsible budget that ensures Florida is well-poised for job creation and the return to a more prosperous economy. We met our pledge to avoid new taxes, protect public school funding, include adequate reserves for unplanned needs and minimize the use of one-time federal money for ongoing programs. And we did this in a process more open than ever before,” stated Speaker Cretul. … Continue Reading

Democratic Leader Statement On The Proposed Fy2010-11 State Budge

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston) issued the following statement concerning the Fiscal Year 2010-11 state budget approved today: … Continue Reading