Ana Ceballos, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosDecember 28, 2017

A pair of criminal justice reform proposals are laying out an ambitious plan that could reduce crime and incarceration rates in Florida by implementing pre-arrest diversion programs statewide. Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg, filed a bill on Thursday that would direct all judicial circuits in the state to create and implement both […]

Ana CeballosDecember 28, 2017

Calling it a “small step” to save Floridian’s lives, two Democrats are pushing for bills that would require new warning labels on prescription opioid containers, spelling out the danger of overdose and addiction. State Sen. Annette Taddeo introduced her bill on Wednesday and a similar bill was filed by state Rep. Joseph Geller in the […]

Ana CeballosDecember 20, 2017

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The state’s law enforcement agency is reviewing sexual misconduct allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala outlined in two Florida Senate investigations that concluded he may have violated state corruption laws by offering to support legislation in exchange of “a sexual encounter.” The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Wednesday it is conducting a “preliminary review” of […]

Ana CeballosDecember 20, 2017

UPDATE – JACK LATVLA HAS RESIGNED. That story is here. Updates before the resignation: — A second investigation into sexual harassment claims against Jack Latvala, prompted by a POLITICO Florida story, has turned up a witness who bolsters an allegation that the senator would offer to trade sex for favorable votes on legislation. That story is developing. […]

Ana CeballosDecember 20, 2017

Update: Jack Latvala resigned from the Senate Wednesday afternoon. In a resignation letter to Senate President Joe Negron, Latvala wrote: “I have never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate. “My political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try to rid the Florida Senate of […]

Ana CeballosDecember 19, 2017

Florida scored a six out of 10 in its ability to fund and prepare for public health emergencies in a national report released Tuesday. Among the reasons why the state was given a poor grade was because it does not have a paid sick leave law and because it had a 43 percent flu vaccination […]

Ana CeballosDecember 18, 2017

The top agency for volunteerism in the state announced Monday that it is awarding $286,000 in federal funding to 22 nonprofits and service organizations across the state. “Our grantees will put volunteers to work providing education opportunities, helping job-seekers find employment, and teaching financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to Floridians,” said Vivian Myrtetus, the […]

Ana CeballosDecember 14, 2017

A proposal that would establish term limits on county school board members cleared a panel of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission on Thursday, pushing it closer to potentially making an appearance on the November ballot. The proposed change to the state constitution would limit school board members to eight consecutive years in office — the […]

Ana CeballosDecember 14, 2017

In one case a female Florida Department of Transportation worker was grabbed by the throat and beaten by her male supervisor. He was not fired. In another, a Department of Corrections worker was photographed fully nude by an inspector who erroneously told her photos of her naked body parts were needed to investigate an inmate […]

Ana CeballosDecember 12, 2017

The Senate has spent nearly $25,000 in taxpayer money on outside attorneys in connection to the sexual harassment allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala, according to Senate records. In mid-November, Senate President Joe Negron hired a trio of attorneys from the GrayRobinson law firm to help him navigate the investigation into sexual harassment and groping allegations […]

Ana Ceballos

Florida could soon implement pre-arrest diversion programs statewide

Democrats push bills that would put warning labels on prescription opioids

Law enforcement reviewing Jack Latvala sexual misconduct case

Jack Latvala sexual harassment probe could lead to criminal charges

Adam Putnam says ‘it is time’ for Jack Latvala to resign

Florida gets 6 out of 10 in health emergency preparedness report card

Florida nonprofits receive $286k in grants

School board term-limit proposal heads to full CRC

Court records shed light on Rick Scott administration sexual harassment settlements

Senate spends $25K on outside attorneys for Jack Latvala probe