Florida Independent

Scott signs new funding for sexual assault services

By Ashley Lopez | 04.27.12 | 3:39 pm

Gov. Rick Scott signed new legislation today that will allocate $1.5 million to pay for relocation services for women who are victims of sexual battery. The bill’s signing comes in the wake of criticism of the governor over his veto of $1.5 million for the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, a group that was going to pass along that funding to 30 rape crisis centers across the state.

Scott cuts funding for rape crisis centers during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Ashley Lopez | 04.23.12 | 11:32 am

On April 17, smack in the middle of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $1.5 million for the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. The Legislature allotted the funds to the organization in order to support 30 rape crisis centers as they face impending reductions in collections, which currently is the bulk of their budgets.

Scott approves funding for breast and cervical cancer detection program

By Ashley Lopez | 04.18.12 | 9:14 am

Yesterday, Gov. Rick Scott signed the state’s $70 billion while vetoing $142.7 million line-items. While some health care items were eliminated, one budget line that funds a breast and cervical cancer detection program survived the round of cuts.

Weatherford accuses redistricting advocacy groups of ‘political and legal stunt’

By Ashley Lopez | 01.27.12 | 10:36 am

During a vote in a state House redistricting committee, a coalition of advocacy groups has declined defending the maps they recently submitted. Leaders called the move “disappointing” and a “political and legal stunt.”

State Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary (Pic by Mark Foley)

Six in the morning: Building toward something

By Travis Pillow | 07.12.11 | 7:50 am

A six-pack of noteworthy tidbits from this week’s news.

Gov. Rick Scott (Pic via scotttransition.com)

Fast-tracking of rule repeals for governor, cabinet is dead

By Travis Pillow | 05.06.11 | 6:46 pm

The Florida House on Thursday passed House Bill 993, which in a previous incarnation carried an amendment by Rep. Christ Dorworth, R-Heathrow, that would have given the governor and members of the cabinet sweeping authority to repeal rules under an expedited “summary process.”

Remember how Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Heathrow, added an amendment to a rulemaking bill that would give the governor and the cabinet authority to repeal agency rules under an expedited process? The bill just passed another committee — the House Government Operations panel — with no debate.