Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutOctober 29, 2015

Amid an ugly political brawl in which one senator publicly accused another of being a bully, the Florida Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved a new map for the state’s 40 senate districts. But some senators predicted shortly after the 22-18 vote that the proposal may not pass the Republican-controlled Florida House. That’s because the Senate […]

Jim RosicaOctober 28, 2015

For the first time in recent memory, a sitting Florida senator invoked the Senate Rules during a floor session to call out a colleague specifically for impugning his integrity. State Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican and previous Senate President, raised a “question of personal privilege” to defend his honor against attacks made in the press […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

The Florida Senate looks committed to moving ahead with two proposed remedial maps for its districts: One that keeps the current numbering system and another in which districts would be numbered randomly. Still left undecided, though, is the bigger question of whether senators will have to run for re-election if their district lines change. Senate […]

Ryan RayOctober 20, 2015

A bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Negron to prevent state funding from flowing to organizations that boycott or have divested from Israel on human rights grounds passed unanimously through a Senate budget panel on general government Tuesday afternoon. The bill, SB 86, creates a state list of “scrutinized companies” that boycott Israel to be kept by the […]

Staff ReportsOctober 14, 2015

Florida policy leaders, educators and healthcare providers gathered for a symposium Tuesday hosted by Gunster law firm at the University of South Florida’s Center of Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation in Tampa to discuss expanding access to healthcare, reports Daylina Miller of WUSF. The main topic introduced by panelists was a twice-failed bill to allow certain medical professionals […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

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Republican Sens. Jack Latvala and Joe Negron may have posted big-time fundraising numbers in September but they weren’t the only Senate Republicans raking in contributions. The political committee supporting Bradenton Republican Sen. Bill Galvano for Senate President brought in $207,500, its best fundraising performance since February, and it took only 10 contributions to hit that […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2015

The Senate’s budget panel got the raw news Thursday: Florida isn’t getting a break on health care costs anytime soon. The Appropriations Committee, which helps write the state’s annual spending plan, heard presentations on “The Economics of Health Care” and “Factors Influencing the Price of Health Insurance.” One item conspicuously not on the agenda: Medicaid expansion. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2015

Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz built a sizable war chest for his Senate District 1 campaign over the last two years, but that advantage evaporated after challenger George Gainer cut a $500,000 check to his own campaign. The Bay County commissioner filed for the seat on Sept. 8 after months of rumors he would enter the […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2015

Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala may have been the big winner in August fundraising, but Joe Negron bounced back in September, bringing in more than $500,000 through the committee supporting his bid for the senate presidency. The unofficial tally shows Treasure Coast Alliance with $515,050 in contributions and $13,409 in expenditures, leaving the Stuart Republican […]

Sally SwartzSeptember 28, 2015

Two members of Martin County’s legislative delegation listened for hours last week while more than 30 residents buttered them up, begged for money, griped about the Florida Legislature’s recent bad decisions and brought wish lists for 2016. Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell of Stuart turned the annual event, held at the Martin Commission headquarters in Stuart, […]

Tag: Joe Negron

What’s next after Florida Senate narrowly approves new Senate map

Don Gaetz strikes back against ‘bully’ Jack Latvala

State Senate moving forward with redistricting maps

Joe Negron bill to cut ties with anti-Israeli boycotters sails through committee stop

USF symposium addresses expanded access to healthcare in Florida

Senate Republican committees post major fundraising numbers

Senate budget panel wrestles with health costs

Matt Gaetz SD 1 money lead evaporates after opponent cuts $500K check

In race for Senate presidency, Joe Negron bounces back in September fundraising

Sally Swartz: Constituents still want environmental action