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

James CallApril 15, 2015

Lawmakers are blazing at least three trails in an attempt to make medical marijuana available in Florida. The latest effort comes Wednesday when Rep. Matt Gaetz will try to amend HB 269, the Right to Try Act, to allow terminally ill patients to use marijuana under certain conditions. The measure filed by Rep. Ray Pilon […]

James CallApril 14, 2015

Efforts to put the brakes on the use of red-light cameras by municipalities stalled in the Florida Senate on Tuesday, but is continuing to cruise in the House. Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Brian Avila say the money the cameras raise in fines should be used for public safety programs. An OPPAGA report found that most of the […]

James CallApril 14, 2015

A significant rewrite is coming to the Charlotte’s Web glitch bill, according to a variety of sources. Tuesday morning, SPB 7066 sponsor Sen. Rob Bradley pulled the proposal from the Senate floor after lawmakers filed seven amendments late Monday. Lawmakers and stakeholders say the move gives them more time to continue to work on refining the Bradley […]

James CallApril 14, 2015

Florida lawmakers were urged to demonstrate courage and be a strong voice for the faith community when serving the public. Former Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann delivered the keynote address Tuesday for the Florida Faith & Freedom Coalition annual prayer breakfast. Bachmann told about 200 in attendance, including CFO Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and House Appropriations Chair Richard Corcoran, […]

James CallApril 14, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes has never been shy about his dislike of red-light cameras. Last year, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability released a stinging report on how local governments use the cameras. In response, Brandes filed legislation to rein in their use. “There are perverse incentives inherent in the red-light camera program,” […]

James CallApril 13, 2015

On Monday, a Senate committee approved the bill regulating drones used to take photos without consent. If passed, violations would carry a $5,000 fine. Distribution of the picture would cost the drone operator $10,000. Even though the Federal Aviation Administration expects to issue guidelines governing drones, officially known as unmanned aerial vehicles, Florida is among more than a dozen […]

James CallApril 13, 2015

The Medical Cannabis Trade Association of Florida is considering whether to withdraw its challenge to a proposed rule of the Charlotte’s Web law. Judge W. David Watkins ordered the association on Monday to divulge its membership when he granted a motion to compel filed by the state Department of Health. DOH attorney Eduardo Lombard argued […]

James CallApril 10, 2015

Growers, investors, and patient advocates are reading Rep. Matt Gaetz’s words on medicinal marijuana as if they were ancient tasseographers reading tea leaves. They are trying to discern whether medicinal marijuana will become available under SB 1030, approved in 2014, or SPB 7066, which is moving through the Florida Senate. “What are they doing in […]

James CallApril 10, 2015

Sen. Travis Hutson won a special election Tuesday night to replace John Thrasher, who had resigned to become president of the Florida State University. As the House District 24 representative, the Elkton Republican already represented three of the four counties in Senate District 6. Now as a senator, Hutson also represents Putnam County, in addition to […]

James CallApril 10, 2015

A fix for Florida’s Charlotte’s Web law is headed to the Senate floor after lawmakers amended the proposal to address concerns of drug abuse prevention experts. In a series of amendments to SPB 7066, approved by the Rules Committee, advertising of cannabis products and marketing edibles attractive to children is prohibited. Lawmakers also placed restrictions on testing […]

James Call

Rep. Matt Gaetz makes move on medical marijuana

Red-light camera crackdown stalls in Senate, gets green light in House

Charlotte’s Web glitch bill pulled from Senate floor, rewrite is underway

Show courage, Michele Bachmann tells lawmakers at prayer breakfast

Jeff Brandes makes another run at red-light cameras

Senate committee passes bill limiting drone surveillance

Judge: Medical Cannabis Trade Association must disclose members

Will 1030 or 7066 put medicinal marijuana in the ground?

Five minutes with Travis Hutson

Charlotte Web “glitch” bill bans candy, edibles for kids