Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 19, 2016

Sen. Don Gaetz used his appearance before the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding to outline several health care proposals before the state Legislature during the 2016 Session. The Niceville Republican, also used his appearance to remind members of Gov. Rick Scott’s commission that all recommendations are subject to an objective, nonpolitical analysis. “When it comes […]

Associated PressJanuary 17, 2016

A major ethics and anti-corruption bill that advocates say is long overdue – but critics say may go too far – faces a rocky path in the Legislature. The legislation seeks to end what a 2010 grand jury called a “corruption tax” on Florida citizens amounting to millions a year in extra taxes, government fees […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Hours after the House moved its own legislation reining in the state’s oversight body for high school athletics, the Senate on Thursday heard its own versions, moving forward two competing reforms. The PreK-12 Education Committee, chaired by GOP state Sen. John Legg, approved both SB 1026 and SB 684, both aimed at changing the way the Florida High School Athletic Association […]

Ryan RayJanuary 14, 2016

A controversial new ethics proposal backed by the Gannett chain of newspapers has just scored an advancement in its quest to become law. The so-called “anti-corruption” bill that would hold government contractors to standards now applied to many elected officials has just been adopted as part of Sen. Don Gaetz‘s SB 686, an omnibus ethics reform […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

The sausage-making began in earnest Wednesday morning, as the Florida Senate teed up nine bills for final approval and passed a sweeping $95 million educational policy bill and a water protection measure desired by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. The education bill (SB 672) was sponsored by GOP state Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville, a former schools superintendent. Among other […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 12, 2016

High-profile lawyer-lobbyist Sean Pittman, who formerly represented the Florida Limousine Association, is switching sides to Uber, the ride-sharing service. Pittman, one of INFLUENCE magazine’s “Top 100 Influencers,” is a big get for Uber, based in San Francisco. Pittman’s reach is statewide, with a presence in Tallahassee, Palm Beach County, and Miami. Expect Pittman and Uber to push lawmakers […]

Ryan RayJanuary 11, 2016

An anti-corruption bill with roots in the editorial department of a newspaper hit a snag in a Senate panel Monday, after a protracted debate over specific provisions and about the proper role of the news media momentarily killed it. Former Senate President Don Gaetz is carrying SB 582, a bill which began as a proposal by the Florida-based Gannett […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

On Monday, the Florida Senate’s Committee on Higher Education passed Don Gaetz’s Senate Bill 962, which imposes metrics and a performance improvement plan for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The legislation also requires the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to submit a performance report to Governor Rick Scott and presiding officers of the Florida Legislature. “Supporting adults with […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2016

With Florida’s Legislative Session only days away, one of the hottest issues to face lawmakers this year is Open Carry. Two bills (SB 300/HB 163) filed by the Republican father-son tag team of State Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry a […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 8, 2016

With the 2016 Legislative Session right around the corner, Sen. Joe Negron is in his element. The Treasure Coast lawmaker is known as a workhorse (although he might have to be more of a show horse now that he is Senate President Designate), and in Tallahassee is where he does some of his best work. Riding high […]

Tag: Don Gaetz

Don Gaetz outlines Senate health care proposals for governor’s health care panel

Anti-corruption bill faces rocky path in Legislature

Competing high-school athletics bills moving in Senate

Gannett public corruption bill now attached to broader Senate ethics package

Senate passes education, water bills

Lobbyist Sean Pittman switches sides in ride-sharing wars

Public corruption bill hits snag amid senators’ furor

Don Gaetz’s Vocational Rehabilitation bill clears Higher Ed Committee

Open Carry advocates in Florida should take careful note of Texas’ new gun-toting law

Five questions with Senate President Designate Joe Negron