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

Ana CeballosNovember 7, 2017

Steven R. Andrews, the attorney hired by Sen. Jack Latvala, wants to have a former law enforcement official conduct the Senate investigation into claims the senator sexually harassed or groped six women. Andrews sent a letter to Senate President Joe Negron on Tuesday, asking him to also have a retired judge preside over the case […]

Ana CeballosNovember 7, 2017

The state will file a federal lawsuit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals International over the $62 million it lost when it purchased company shares while Valeant allegedly ran a scheme that shielded it from competition and aggressively increased drug prices. The Cabinet voted to pursue direct action against the drug company on Tuesday. The State Board of Administration […]

Ana CeballosNovember 7, 2017

A controversial piece of legislation that seeks to ban communities that act as “sanctuaries” for undocumented immigrants passed its only legislative committee hearing on Tuesday, and could head to the House floor as soon as Session starts. The proposal — a House leadership priority — would allow local officials who vote for “sanctuary city” policies, […]

Ana CeballosNovember 6, 2017

Republican Sen. Rene Garcia, who chairs the Committee on Children, Families and Elders Affairs, said Monday that legislators need to “stop ignoring” mental health in the state even more so after the massacre that killed more than a dozen churchgoers in Texas. “We can no longer move on as a society until we start addressing […]

Ana CeballosNovember 6, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott addressed the sexual allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala for the first time on Monday and said they were “disgusting” and that if anybody engages in such behavior they should “get out of office.” “I can’t imagine this, I can’t believe (this),” Scott told reporters in Fort Myers. “Hopefully this is not happening. […]

Ana CeballosNovember 6, 2017

A push to make anti-sexual-harassment training mandatory in the Senate gathered momentum Monday after Democratic Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez sent a letter to Senate President Joe Negron urging him for a “more aggressive” sexual harassment policy. The letter comes after six unnamed women accused Sen. Jack Latvala of sexually harassing and groping them, according to a […]

Ana CeballosNovember 5, 2017

After six women anonymously accused Sen. Jack Latvala of sexually harassing and groping them, at least five women who have worked closely with the powerful senator have come to his defense. The allegations against Latvala, a Republican candidate for governor who turned 66 Friday, range from him grabbing a female lobbyist’s buttocks to making unsolicited […]

Ana CeballosNovember 3, 2017

Hours after POLITICO Florida reported that powerful state Sen. Jack Latvala had sexually harassed six women who work in the legislative process, the Clearwater Republican said in a Friday night statement that he “unequivocally den(ied) the allegations.” But the news dealt a stunning blow to the powerful Appropriations Committee chairman and Republican gubernatorial candidate, with House Speaker Richard […]

Ana CeballosNovember 3, 2017

At least 50 South Florida immigration advocates are expected to flock to the state Capitol ahead of the review of a controversial bill that seeks to punish local officials in so-called “sanctuary cities.” The measure, sponsored by Republican Rep. Larry Metz, passed the Republican-controlled House last session, but went nowhere in the Senate. This time […]

Ana CeballosNovember 3, 2017

Republican Sen. Anitere Flores, who represents the Irma-battered Florida Keys, said Friday that property insurance will be the “main” insurance issue she will tackle in the upcoming legislative session. “I made some promises to myself over the summer that I was going to have a much calmer session this year, and not be in the […]

Ana Ceballos

Jack Latvala attorney wants ex-law enforcement official to head Senate probe

State will file federal suit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals

Controversial ‘sanctuary city’ ban bill clears lone committee stop

Rene Garcia urges legislators to ‘stop ignoring’ mental health issues

Rick Scott calls Jack Latvala sexual allegations ‘disgusting’

Jose Javier Rodriguez calls for anti-harassment training in the Senate

Jack Latvala allies come to his defense after sexual harassment claims

Jack Latvala denies sexual harassment, says he’ll ‘clear my name’

‘Sanctuary city’ ban bill makes a comeback

Lawmakers foresee ‘headwinds’ in passing major insurance legislation