Legislative Update
The Legislative process is underway, and we just completed the third week of the legislative session.
Next week Dr. Bowman and Dr. Eber along with this year’s residents -Dr. Max Mayr (USF Interventional Radiologist (, Dr Nui Gonzales (Mayo Diagnostic Radiology), and Dr. John Machado (Mt Sinai Diagnostic Radiology. will be visiting the Capitol, meeting legislators, and learning more about the state legislative process. Dr. Charlie Williams and his wonderful wife Pat will be joining me to welcome them to Capitol city on their first night in town.
This year’s budget is looking tight as there are already several shortfalls in the budget because of actions taken at the federal level.
Last week our Senate President experienced health care firsthand as he was having stroke symptoms and was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lungs. Thankfully, he received excellent care at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Shands and is expected to be back in the Capitol next week. He expressed his thanks to all the medical caregivers who took such excellent care of him.
To date, the House and Senate are passing a small amount of bills and not agreeing on much.
Next week, SB 1494, by Senator Davis relating to insurance coverage for mammography screening, is up in Senate Banking & Insurance. The Breast Imaging Workgroup worked hard on the bill language and has signed off on this proposal. The residents will have an opportunity to see the bill move through its first committee stop.
On the special election front – on Maples, who is running for Rep Caruso’s seat, won his Primary and the General election will be held March 24th.
Hillary Holley, who is running for Rep Tomkow’s seat, won her Primary and has an opponent she faces on March 24th in a General election.
Rep Josie Tomkow is finishing out the Session. She is running for Sen Jay Collins seat. She was unopposed in the Primary but faces an opponent in the General on March 24th.
The session is scheduled to end March 13th, but the rumors of overtime have already begun.
Hopefully, everyone is staying warm.
Best from very cold Tallahassee,
Alison Dudley Lobbyist, FRS
alisondudley@dudleyandassociates.com