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

Ana CeballosMarch 10, 2018

After state Sen. Gary Farmer came under fire for saying state Sen. Lauren Book’s family responsibilities may be too much to balance if she was chosen as the Senate Democratic Leader-designate, he apologized. “I recognize that I failed to properly express my thoughts about the difficulties that a Caucus leadership role can play for any […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

The last-ditch effort to revive a Senate human trafficking bill crashed Friday night after the House decided to strip language that would have created a trust fund for victims. When it was up to the Senate to consider the changes to the bill, Republicans argued it should be killed because the House “did not do […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

Almost immediately after Gov. Rick Scott signed gun-control measures that are unprecedented in the state, the National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit to try to block it. Scott signed the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Act” flanked by some of the parents who lost their children in the school mass shooting on Valentine’s Day. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

After concerns were raised about Sen. Gary Farmer saying Sen. Lauren Book would not be the best nominee for Senate Democratic Leader-designate because she is a mother, Senate Democrats met Friday to discuss caucus business. But nothing was resolved. The drama over the comments escalated when Sen. Kevin Rader sent a letter to his colleagues, […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

A much-debated bill that would ban all marriages under the age of 17 passed the Legislature Friday; it now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman for Scott said the governor “intends to sign” the bill (SB 140). The vote in the House on the Senate bill was 109-1, with the only ‘no’ vote cast by Republican […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Legislative leaders closed out the largest proposed budget in state history Thursday that included nearly $90 million in last-minute spending for projects that largely have to do with education. As the House and Senate finalized differences on the roughly $88 billion 2018-19 budget, the supplemental funding — informally known as the “sprinkle fund” — was unveiled in […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Dozens of member projects were zeroed out as legislative leaders reached a deal on an $87 billion budget deal, but one University of Florida project was not only salvaged, it got double of what the House and Senate had initially agreed to. “It was about making sure that the projects that we chose had the […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

With a budget deal done, there is good news for juvenile detention and probation officers. They are getting a pay raise. The House and Senate agreed Wednesday to set aside $8 million in pay raises for the more than 2,000 detention and probation officers who work with at-risk youth in the state. That amount goes […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Senate Budget Chief Rob Bradley said it would set “bad precedent” to go along with a House plan that would have financially punished Enterprise Rent-A-Car for cutting ties with the National Rifle Association. “I think that it’s silly to get involved in rebidding contracts … because you’re mad at a temporary moment in time about […]

Ana CeballosMarch 7, 2018

Despite being able to run for a final two years in the House, Rep. Larry Lee Jr. announced Wednesday he is pulling the plug on politics. “You get to this point in your life when you say, ‘why do I have to stand up and take all of these acts?’ Because when you continue to lay […]

Ana Ceballos

Gary Farmer apologizes for taking ’emotional’ jab at Lauren Book

Senate kills human trafficking bill a day after it was revived

NRA sues state shortly after Rick Scott signs gun-control measures

‘No vote yet’: Senate Democrats meet after ‘sexist’ comment drama

Lawmakers pass ban on minors marrying — but exclude 17-year-olds

House, Senate reach budget deal with $90m in last-minute spending

Legislative leaders increase funding for UF project

Lawmakers agree with Rick Scott, give juvenile officers $8m in pay raises

‘It’s silly’: Senate won’t punish Enterprise Rent-A-Car for NRA move

A tearful, fed-up Larry Lee decides to leave House