Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosDecember 6, 2017

The push to make texting while driving a primary offense under state law has gained a powerful advocate: House Speaker Richard Corcoran. “The data is overwhelming and the need to act is equally compelling,” Corcoran said in a statement. State Rep. Jackie Toledo on Wednesday filed legislation that would strengthen the ban on texting and […]

Peter SchorschDecember 5, 2017

A new poll from St. Leo University found Gov. Rick Scott has surpassed U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup in for Nelson’s seat in 2018. The poll, conducted online between Nov. 19 and Nov. 24, showed Scott with a double-digit lead over Nelson in the matchup, 42-32, with 8 percent preferring another […]

Ana CeballosDecember 1, 2017

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday said her “heart breaks” for the Senate staffer who in a sworn statement said Sen. Jack Latvala groped her private body parts and sexually harassed her for years, and called for legislation to protect sexual harassment victims. “I was astonished to learn that one of the victims of […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2017

Like his father, state Rep. Chris Latvala of Clearwater is a proud Republican who doesn’t always toe the GOP line – a contrarian streak which sometimes gets him into trouble. Not that Latvala, son of longtime state Sen. Jack Latvala, is that worried about that perception. “My grade with the NRA is a ‘D.’ And I’m proud of […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 29, 2017

Gwen Graham endorsed federal legislation on Wednesday that would grant permanent residency to Haitians and Central Americans who are living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status. Known as the ESPERER Act, the bill would benefit the more than 300,000 Haitians, Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Salvadorans currently living in the U.S. through TPS, according to Graham. […]

Peter SchorschNovember 29, 2017

A new poll released Tuesday found a majority of Floridians support the use of state money to lure jobs to the Sunshine State and also showed significant shifts in attitudes about the Florida budget, taxation and the quality of government services. The USF-Nielsen Sunshine State Survey found 58 percent of Floridians support business incentives while […]

Ana CeballosNovember 28, 2017

A review panel is flirting with the idea of implementing a vexed employment verification system into the state constitution to weed out undocumented immigrants before they enter the workforce. The proposal (P29) cleared the Constitution Revision Commission’s General Provisions Committee on Tuesday, following a long stretch of public comment with clashing viewpoints on the federal […]

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2017

A review panel has killed a proposed constitutional amendment that would have added financial oversight duties to the state’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The proposal (P68), filed by Commissioner Tom Lee, died on a tie vote in the Constitution Revision Commission‘s Executive Committee on Tuesday as some panel members raised fiscal and legal questions. A parliamentary […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2017

State Rep. Jay Fant, a Jacksonville Republican running for state Attorney General in 2018, says he will create a “Confidential Investigator and Ethics Officer” to deal with sexual harassment complaints if elected. Fant tweeted the plan on Wednesday. The new position would meet “confidentially” with those who claim harassment by a “public official.” Any information developed would be […]

Peter SchorschNovember 22, 2017

From the soup kitchens of Tallahassee to the conch houses of Key West, from the toniest mansions in Coral Gables to the double wides in Dixie County, people from all walks of life will sit down to celebrate the most American of holidays: Thanksgiving. “Americans traditionally recognize the ‘first’ Thanksgiving as having taken place at […]

Tag: Richard Corcoran
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House Speaker backs stricter texting-while-driving proposal

Hmmm … poll shows Rick Scott with 10-point lead over Bill Nelson for U.S. Senate seat

Pam Bondi calls for legislation to protect sexual harassment victims

Chris Latvala goes to class

Gwen Graham backs push for Haitian residency

Floridians back business incentives, split on how state should tackle 2018 budget

Mandating E-Verify in state constitution eyed by commissioners

Tom Lee’s proposal to augment CFO duties dies in committee

Jay Fant says he’ll create new position to handle harassment

What Florida’s political elite should be thankful for