Earned Sick Pay Ballot Measure Wins Place on Orange County Ballot in 2014
Ashley Lopez: After a long and difficult fight in Orange County, an earned sick pay measure that was left off the 2012 ballot will be put to voters next year.
Rick Scott Loses Another Round in Fight Over Welfare Drug Testing
Ashley Lopez: The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta upheld a previous court ruling that stopped the state of Florida from drug testing Floridians receiving temporary assistance from the state.
‘Stand Your Ground’ Task Force Recommends Changes, Not Repeal
Ashley Lopez: A year after the shooting of Trayvon Martin, a state task force examining Florida's "stand your ground" law -- which some allege was used to keep Martin's shooter out of jail -- have announced they will not recommend repealing the controversial law.
Critical of Federal Pensions, Rich Nugent Draws Handsome Retirement From Florida Taxpayers
Steve Miller: U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, R-Spring Hill, author of January’s Congress is Not a Career Act that would allow federal lawmakers to refuse their pension, is himself receiving a $70,232 annual pension from the state of Florida in addition to his $174,000 federal salary.
State Lawmakers Move to Restrict Living Wages, Sick Leave Ordinances
Ashley Lopez: Members are the Florida Legislature are trying to prohibit local governments from passing living wage regulations and sick leave ordinances.
Rick Scott Doubles Down On Medicaid Expansion
Ashley Lopez: Gov. Rick Scott was arguably one of the most ardent opponents of 2010's health care reform law. But now, as Florida's governor, Scott has agreed to enact one of the key, and voluntary, provisions of the law -- to expand Medicaid to thousands of poor Floridians who currently lack health care coverage.