Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2015

Clearwater GOP Sen. Jack Latvala‘s expansive and controversial bill that would exempt the employment history of police officers exempt from public records disclosure sailed through the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Monday. Latvia said he realized the need for the legislation after a Clearwater man was able to unearth information about a Clearwater police officer by […]

Ryan RayMarch 30, 2015

The Florida Association of School Administrators — a major plaintiff and arguably the least overtly political — has pulled out of a lawsuit challenging the legality of Florida’s corporate tax credit scholarship program. “Following a full review of priorities, the Board made the decision to focus resources on FASA’s main objective – to ensure that […]

James CallMarch 26, 2015

This day at the Florida Capitol the House Regulatory Affairs Committee held a four-hour workshop on gambling. Surprisingly, there was something comforting and familiar about spending the morning with a room full of Brooks Brothers suits. A historic review of the Tribal-State Gaming Compact and an overview of the legal relationship between the State and […]

Mitch PerryMarch 26, 2015

Jon-Stewart-discusses-climate-change-on-The-Daily-Show-on-March-25-2015.-YouTube-800x430-1024x1024.jpg

Jon Stewart and his comedy writing team over at The Daily Show has never lacked for content when it comes to mocking Florida, so it was a natural that the Comedy Central franchise would take note of the recent report that Gov. Rick Scott has banned the terms “Climate change,” and “Global warming,” from use […]

Mitch PerryMarch 26, 2015

Jon Stewart and his comedy writing team over at The Daily Show has never lacked for content when it comes to mocking Florida, so it was a natural that the Comedy Central franchise would take note of the recent report that Gov. Rick Scott has banned the terms “Climate change,” and “Global warming,” from use […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 25, 2015

A Senate budget amendment that would have provided $350 million for land-buying was withdrawn Wednesday but the senator who sponsored it said it could come back. In November, 75 percent of voters approved a ballot initiative called Amendment 1 that provides an estimated $741 million in fiscal 2015-16 for water and land conservation. The proposed Senate budget […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 24, 2015

A bill aimed at ensuring condo-owners aren’t forced to sell their homes for pennies on the dollar unanimously passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Tuesday. Senate Bill 1172 sponsored by Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala is a direct answer to an oversight in 2007 legislation that allowed investors buying condo units in bulk to scoop up […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 23, 2015

A bill aimed at shining a light on human trafficking breezed through the Senate Criminal Justice Subcommittee Monday with unanimous approval. Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala’s bill requires that signs including the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline and text numbers be posted throughout the state. Those locations include rest areas and welcome centers, airports and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 23, 2015

A bill aimed at shining a light on human trafficking breezed through the Senate Criminal Justice Subcommittee Monday with unanimous approval. Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala’s bill requires that signs including the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline and text numbers be posted throughout the state. Those locations include rest areas and welcome centers, airports and […]

James CallMarch 19, 2015

A marijuana lobbyist said to me a couple of weeks ago that he suspected the latest challenge to the Charlotte’s Web rule would “smoke out” people’s true intention, whether they disliked the rule or disliked the law. It’s the end of the third week of the session and we’re getting to the “smoke out” point on a […]

Tag: Jack Latvala

Jack Latvala’s law enforcement shield bill advances to Senate floor

Key plaintiff pulls out of charter schools lawsuit

The day that was in Florida politics — March 26

Daily Show takes hilarious shot at Rick Scott's ban on "Global warming"

Daily Show takes hilarious shot at Rick Scott’s ban on “Global warming”

Budget amendment for land-buying withdrawn but may be back, senator says

Jack Latvala bill protecting condo-owners clears Senate panel

Jack Latvala’s anti-human trafficking bill moves in Senate panel

Jack Latvala's anti-human trafficking bill moves in Senate panel

The day that was in Florida politics — March 19