Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2018

https-blogs-images.forbes.com-keithflamer-files-2017-08-Tampa-Rendering-4-1200x692.jpgwidth960.png

On Monday, a House committee advanced Hillsborough County’s proposal to create a special district for funding some features of the $3 billion Water Street Tampa development in the city’s Channelside neighborhood. The House Government Accountability Committee unanimously approved HB 1393 that creates the Water Street Tampa Improvement District. Advancing the proposal are Strategic Property Partners and […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2018

The vacation rentals deregulation bill cleared its first stop in the Florida House of Representatives Thursday with a close approval won in the House Government Accountability Committee. House Bill 773, sponsored by St. Cloud Republican state Rep. Mike La Rosa, now heads toward the commerce committee in this year’s legislative efforts to roll back and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2018

Heat of the Israel-Palestinian conflict flared Wednesday at the Florida House Government Accountability Committee when a pro-Palestine student charged that a resolution supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a threat to peace, and then the bill’s sponsor interpreted her comments as apparent threats of terrorism. “There will be no true peace and safety […]

Scott PowersDecember 5, 2017

Note: An earlier version of this story inaccurately reported the vote of state Rep. Chris Latvala. After facing down Democrats’ harsh questioning of the bill’s intentions, a Florida House committee voted nearly along party lines Tuesday to approve a measure to require most public employees’ unions to meet a dues-paying threshold or face recertification. The […]

Phil AmmannAugust 29, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Sean White is no longer listed as a legislative analyst in the Senate Majority Office. On: Angela Herndon became administrative support for the House Government Accountability Committee and its subcommittees (Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs; Natural Resources […]

Staff ReportsApril 12, 2017

An Everglades reservoir bill pushed by Senate President Joe Negron passed the state’s upper chamber Wednesday, with state Rep. Matt Caldwell saying the House will take the $1.5 billion plan “seriously.” “This gives us a great starting point,” Caldwell, chair of the House Government Accountability Committee, told POLITICO Florida. “We’ve been waiting to see what […]

Scott PowersApril 6, 2017

A bill aimed at preventing tragedies like when two 14-year-old boys disappeared in a fishing boat off the coast of Jupiter in 2015 won approval from the House Government Oversight Committee Thursday. House Bill 711, embraced by Blu Stephanos, the father of of one of the boys in that ill-fated boat, Austin Stephanos, would give Florida boat […]

Drew WilsonMarch 22, 2017

The House Government Accountability Committee approved a pair of bills Wednesday that would add a long list of ethics and reporting requirements into Florida law. HB 479, sponsored by Republican Rep. Larry Metz, would require many agencies to establish internal controls to prevent “fraud, waste and abuse,” force cities and counties to post their proposed […]

Drew WilsonMarch 22, 2017

A bill that would help state agencies work together in preparation for natural hazards was approved by the House Government Accountability Committee Wednesday and is now ready for the House floor. HB 181, by Coconut Creek Democratic Rep. Kristin Jacobs, would have all executive state agencies, water management districts and the Public Service Commission designate […]

Les NeuhausMarch 17, 2017

Florida lawmakers are looking to shut down a charitable program funded for decades by state employees. A bill to end the Florida State Employees’ Charitable Campaign comes after a yearslong slump due partly to a drop in participation and controversy surrounding its management, according to a new bill proposed by a House lawmaker and unanimously favored […]

Tag: House Government Accountability Committee

House advances proposed Water Street Tampa special district

House vacation rentals bill clears Government Accountability Committee

Jerusalem bill sparks Palestine-Israel conflict, assertion of terrorist threat

Public union dues-or-recertification bill passes House panel

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Matt Caldwell: House will take Senate Everglades bill ‘seriously’

Bill to discount boat safety beacons gets approval

House committee sends pair of ethics bills to chamber floor

Bill to create interagency workgroup on natural hazards clears final House panel

House seeks to end controversial state employee charity program