Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 15, 2018

With two big fundraising dates in December, Republican state Rep. David Santiago of Deltona raised $30,000 in December, leading all house candidates throughout Central Florida, according to the latest campaign finance reports posted by the state. Santiago, of House District 27 serving western and southern Volusia County, had his third month in a row of […]

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2017

Five Central Florida candidates for the Florida House each raised more than $10,000 for their campaigns in November, including incumbent Republican state Reps. Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, David Santiago, and Bob Cortes along with first-time Democratic candidate Anna Eskamani. Olszewski of Winter Garden, who took his seat after winning a special election in October, reported raising […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s top in-house lawyer told lawmakers this week that their fantasy sports bills are a dealbreaker. A $200 million dealbreaker. The Tribe now says fantasy sports bills filed for the 2018 Legislative Session, if passed, would violate the Seminole Compact. That’s the gambling agreement struck by the state and the Seminoles […]

Jim RosicaNovember 27, 2017

Legislation that critics said would allow theme parks to “extort” advertising dollars from beer companies has been re-filed for the 2018 Legislative Session. The bills (HB 775, SB 822), filed by Republicans Rep. Mike La Rosa of St. Cloud and Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, generally would allow “cooperative” advertising in theme parks. Hutson, chair of […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Scott PowersAugust 21, 2017

The Republican primary for House District 44 may have deeply split support from top Republicans but now that Bobby Olszewski has won he’s bringing much of that together behind his special election campaign. Olszewski’s campaign announced a fundraiser set for the evening of Aug. 30 that will feature the current speaker of the Florida House […]

Scott PowersJuly 11, 2017

Kissimmee may be part of the heart of Florida’s tourism district, but three local lawmakers told the Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce Tuesday why they did not openly support VISIT FLORIDA during the political wars of this year’s Legislative Session. Republican state Reps. Mike La Rosa and Neil Combee and Democratic state Rep. John Cortes described […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2017

Faced with a potentially-serious Republican nomination challenger, David Smith dropped another $25,000 loan into his campaign for what will be an open seat in Florida House District 28. Smith’s June 30 loan was augmented by $2,963 in fundraising in June, giving him $100,855 in total contributions and loans. He had primed his campaign when he […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2017

A 5G wireless technology bill that was vigorously opposed by the Florida League of Cities was nonetheless signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott. The bill (HB 687), sponsored by St. Cloud Republican Mike La Rosa in the House, pre-empts to the state the regulation of telecommunications companies putting “small wireless facilities in rights of way.” The League […]

Staff ReportsMay 18, 2017

The Florida League of Cities on Thursday asked Gov. Rick Scott to veto a measure it says will “deprive cities of their authority to regulate the use of public rights of way.” The bill (HB 687), sponsored by St. Cloud Republican state Rep. Mike La Rosa, pre-empts to the state the regulation of telecommunications companies putting “small wireless […]

Tag: Mike La Rosa

David Santiago raises $30K for HD 27 campaign, leading all Central Florida candidates

Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, Anna Eskamani, lead Central Florida House campaign gains

Seminole Tribe fires warning letter to Legislature over fantasy sports

Drinking, advertising—and ‘extortion’? Beer bill back for 2018

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising

Bobby Olszewski HD 44 fundraiser packed with Republican leaders

Mike La Rosa, Neil Combee and John Cortes defend attacks on VISIT FLORIDA

David Smith pours another $25,000 personal money into his HD 28 race, topping Central Florida races

Rick Scott approves 5G wireless bill over League of Cities’ opposition

Florida League of Cities slams telecom bill

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.