Drew Wilson, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonFebruary 8, 2016

State economists released a rundown of state revenue streams Monday, including the sources for Florida’s $28.41 billion in general revenue funds. According to the 2016 Florida Tax Handbook, the state sales tax looks to see the biggest gains in the 2015-16 fiscal year. Sales tax makes up 77 percent of the state’s general revenue funds; […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 6, 2016

A pair of Republicans have filed to run for the House District 25 seat held by GOP Rep. Fred Costello, who said in January he’s leaving the seat to run for Congress. One of the candidates is Costello’s former legislative assistant, Becky Reichenberg. She filed her paperwork in on Monday, two weeks after Volusia County […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 6, 2016

Two more Democrats have filed for the House District 108 seat held by Rep. Daphne Campbell, who announced she would run for the Florida Senate last month. Michael Hepburn, who filed Jan. 25, and Marie Steril, who filed Jan. 27, join former Campbell campaign staffer Fayola Delica in the race for the Miami-Dade County seat. […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 4, 2016

Republican Congressional District 18 candidate Rebecca Negron launches a new campaign ad Thursday highlighting her conservative bona fides, her campaign said. “Washington is out of touch, and I think it is high-time that we send Washington a message,” Negron said. “I’ve been working in the Treasure Coast community for 40 years, supporting churches and helping […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 3, 2016

A third Democrat entered the race to take over for termed-out Democratic Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda last week, setting up another obstacle for former Rep. Loranne Ausley. Joshua Johnson entered the race on Jan. 29, and joins Ausley and Arnitta Jane Grice-Walker in pursuit of the Democratic nomination in the left-leaning District 9 seat. Ausley, who held the Leon […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 2, 2016

House District 51 got its first Democratic candidate this past week, setting up an Election Day contest for the Brevard County seat held by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, leaving because of term limits. Cocoa City Councilman Michael Blake joins Republican Cocoa Beach Commissioner Tim Timulty, who filed for the seat this past February, and HD 50 Rep. Tom Goodson, […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 1, 2016

Bills that would iron out rules for direct primary care contracts and encourage healthcare companies to give free health care to low-income Floridians passed the Senate Committee on Health Policy Monday. SB 1144, sponsored by Niceville Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, would allow new medical facilities to bypass a lengthy review process known as “certificate of […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 28, 2016

The House Education Appropriations Subcommittee voted for a committee bill Thursday that would codify K-12 and university performance funding programs into state law. Miami Republican Rep. Erik Fresen, who chairs the committee, said HB 7043 would “provide Florida students with the best education possible, from grade school to postsecondary school.” “By passing this bill, we […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 28, 2016

A bill that would fund Everglades restoration efforts with up to $200 million a year cleared the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Thursday with a unanimous vote. “Today we are making great strides toward finishing a task that is important to all Floridians,” committee chairman and Bartow Republican Rep. Ben Albritton said. “By protecting […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 28, 2016

Health care price transparency legislation favored by Gov. Rick Scott cleared the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee Thursday by a 6-2 vote. SB 1496, sponsored by Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley, would have the Agency for Health Care Administration set up an online system to compare medical procedure prices at hospitals and surgery centers, and require medical […]

Drew Wilson

Florida 2015-16 general revenue boosted by extra billion in sales tax

2 Republicans file for Fred Costello’s HD 25 seat

2 more Democrats file in HD 108 contest

New Rebecca Negron CD 18 ad sends Washington a message

3rd Democrat enters HD 9 race for 2016

Cocoa Democrat joins HD 51 race

Senate committee passes 2 key bills expanding health care access

House committee approves K-12, university performance funding programs

Everglades restoration bill unanimously passes House committee

Health care cost transparency bill passes Senate budget panel