Florida Independent

Dems blast absence of health care reform money during budget passage

By Ashley Lopez | 03.13.12 | 10:33 am

As Florida’s $70 billion budget passed in the Legislature late last week, Democrats in both chambers took the opportunity to criticize GOP leaders in both the state House and Senate for denying federal funds from the Affordable Care Act. The GOP-led Legislature also levied huge cuts on health services this year, which could have been remedied by increased federal funding.

Planned Parenthood rallies as anti-abortion measures move through Legislature

By Ashley Lopez | 02.22.12 | 9:38 am

With the final days of 2012′s legislative session drawing near, Planned Parenthood held a rally at the capitol yesterday to denounce a slew of anti-reproductive rights bills that have already made their way through committees in the Legislature this session.

Lawmakers join Democratic Women’s Club to denounce Legislature’s ‘attack’ on women

By Ashley Lopez | 02.07.12 | 1:28 pm

Democratic legislators joined the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida at the capitol today to denounce the Legislature’s continued “attack” on services for women and children.

House subcommittee advances fertilizer regulation loophole

By Virginia Chamlee | 01.25.12 | 1:56 pm

A Florida House subcommittee this morning advanced House Bill 421, a measure that would allow those who have obtained a “limited certification for urban landscape commercial fertilizer application” to be exempt from local fertilizer regulations. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto, has come under fire for taking power away from local communities.

Subcommittee debates bill that would create loophole in local fertilizer regulations

By Virginia Chamlee | 01.18.12 | 3:55 pm

A Florida House subcommittee today debated the pros and cons of a bill (H.B. 421), sponsored by state Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto, that has come under fire for taking power away from local communities, which currently have jurisdiction over fertilizer rules.

Democrats introduce ‘Fair Economy Act’

By Ashley Lopez | 01.18.12 | 3:43 pm

Democratic legislators announced an effort to change the state’s tax structure at a press conference in the capitol today.

Planned Parenthood has its eye on Florida

By Ashley Lopez | 11.15.11 | 1:38 pm

Planned Parenthood has included Florida in its list of “states at risk” for the upcoming election. Only four other states (Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Ohio and Texas) are included on the list.

Legislators roll out bills to end employment discrimination

By Ashley Lopez | 11.01.11 | 4:17 pm

Florida lawmakers have crafted a slew of new bills that would outlaw hiring discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, whether someone is unemployed and whether an applicant has a criminal history.

State rep. introduces bill that provides domestic partnership protections

By Virginia Chamlee | 09.14.11 | 8:04 am

State Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, yesterday introduced a bill that provides domestic partnership protections to committed couples throughout the state of Florida.

State Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando (Pic by Meredith Geddings)

State Rep. Randolph requests accounting info on anti-Fair Districts lawsuit

By Cooper Levey-Baker | 07.29.11 | 10:04 am

State Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, yesterday wrote to Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, requesting a “detailed accounting” of all legal expenses the House has incurred since joining the lawsuit seeking to block one of the two “Fair Districts” amendments from taking effect.