TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Senate is unlikely to vote on Dr. John Armstrong's confirmation as the State Surgeon General, which would end his tenure on Friday.
Senate President Andy Gardiner said on Wednesday that he will not bring a confirmation vote to the floor. Armstrong passed through the Health Policy Committee but never got a vote in the Ethics and Election Committee.
Armstrong, who has led the Department of Health since 2012, was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve a second term, but the Senate did not vote on the appointment last year.
A Scott spokeswoman says they believe that Armstrong is still the right person for the job.
Armstrong and the department have been taken to task for many issues, including implementation of medical marijuana, cutbacks to county health departments and the rise in HIV cases, particularly in South Florida.
