James Call, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallApril 30, 2015

Now Florida lawmakers are arguing on Twitter. The 2015 Regular Session came to a screeching halt Tuesday when the House adjourned three days before the session’s scheduled end. On Thursday, Senate Democrats filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court to order the House back in session on Friday. Senate Republican leaders say the House’s […]

James CallApril 30, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon ordered the House to respond by 10 a.m. Friday to Senate Democrats’ lawsuit against the lower chamber for adjourning the 2015 Regular Session three days early. After the House replies, the Democrats will have until 12:30 p.m. to answer. Earlier Thursday, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner had asked […]

James CallApril 30, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner wants to schedule three weeks in June for a special session to write a state budget. Gardiner wrote to House Speaker Steve Crisafulli on Thursday, thanking the speaker for a prompt response to his previous letter and acknowledging the House’s intention not to return to Tallahassee prior to the scheduled expiration […]

James CallApril 29, 2015

Instead of a Doctor of the Day, when the Florida House and Senate next meet, maybe they should consider a psychologist, counselor or mediator. After an exchange of insults and letters Wednesday it became even more uncertain when the two chambers will be able to begin budget negotiations. The gulf between the Florida House and […]

James CallApril 29, 2015

When the Senate broke for lunch on Wednesday, Sen. Rob Bradley engaged the Capitol Press Corps in a discussion of dead bills, a broken session and the Senate health care proposal to provide coverage to uninsured workers. Q: SPB 7066, a rewrite of the medicinal marijuana law died yesterday. Do you intend to bring it […]

James CallApril 28, 2015

Medical marijuana advocates are now looking to 2016. One of the casualties of the budget debate waging between the House and Senate is a glitch bill for last year’s Charlotte’s Web law. SPB 7066 died Tuesday when the House unexpectedly adjourned the 2015 session three days early. “I have never seen more lobbyists with their […]

James CallApril 28, 2015

Florida’s impasse over the state budget has rubbed nerves raw, throwing lawmakers and lobbyists’ plans for May and June into chaos. On Tuesday, the Legislature quickly deflated the party atmosphere that usually engulfs the end of the annual 60-day session. The House adjourned unexpectedly Tuesday and is in recessed, in the words of Speaker Steve Crisafulli “until […]

James CallApril 28, 2015

A Legislature crackdown on drones flew out of the House Tuesday with a unanimous vote. SB 766 would prohibit drones – unmanned mini-robots equipped with cameras — from taking pictures on private property without consent. The measure already cleared the Senate, and now is on its way to Gov. Rick Scott. Drones are popping up […]

James CallApril 28, 2015

Tax numbers are in; and for Florida, it’s a mixed bag. However, there is a disclaimer for Florida’s reputation as a low-tax state. The Sunshine State comes in third for the lowest per capita tax amount of state tax paid, but when adding local taxes, the tax burden increases and the state ranking falls to […]

James CallApril 27, 2015

The Florida Senate appears ready to move on a “glitch” bill for the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. The chamber is also preparing to consider increasing the allowable level of THC in medicinal marijuana. Sen. Rob Bradley filed a strike-all amendment Monday to increase THC limits to 15 percent, up from the current allowable 0.8 […]

James Call

Lawmakers tweet insults over budget dispute

High court orders House to answer sine die lawsuit by 10 a.m. Friday

Andy Gardiner proposes 3-week Special Session in June

Senate President, House Speaker exchange letters as budget dispute deepens

Rob Bradley talks pot, Rick Scott and the people’s business

Medical marijuana advocates disappointed, look to 2016

Sine Die 2015: No joy in Tally tonight

Drone restrictions flying to governor’s desk

Of U.S., Florida leans most on local governments, TaxWatch reports

Strike-all filed for Charlotte’s Web glitch bill