Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 18, 2017

A House panel cleared the lower chamber’s medical marijuana implementing bill, despite continued concerns from advocates who said the measure doesn’t go far enough. The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill (HB 1397) by Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues that would implement the 2016 medical marijuana constitutional amendment. The proposal now heads to the Health & […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 17, 2017

A proposed amendment to the Senate’s medical marijuana implementing could limit the number of retail facilities allowed to dispense medical marijuana. Sen. Frank Artiles filed an amendment to the Senate proposal (SB 406) Monday that appears to place a cap on the number of retail facilities from which medical marijuana treatment centers can dispense medical […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 17, 2017

Melinda Miguel, the state’s chief inspector general, is stepping down. Gov. Rick Scott announced Miguel, who has served as the governor’s chief inspector general since 2011, has resigned to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Her last day, according to the Governor’s Office, is today. “Over the last 27 years, I have been trusted with […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 17, 2017

A Senate proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana was temporarily postponed, effectively putting an end to any hopes that legislators would act on the legislation this year. Sen. Jeff Clemens, the Lake Worth Democrat sponsoring the bill (SB 1662), asked that the Senate Criminal Justice Committee temporarily postponed the measure after a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 17, 2017

A recent poll shows an overwhelming number of Floridians believe conversion therapy should be illegal, leading LGBT advocates to renew their call for a statewide ban. According to a recent Orlando Political Observer-Gravis Marketing poll, 71 percent of Florida voters think conversion therapy should be illegal for minors in Florida. The poll found 18 percent […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 13, 2017

The House approved an $81.2 billion budget Thursday afternoon, sending the proposed fiscal 2017-18 spending plan to conference. The House voted 89-26 to approve the budget proposal after about 45 minutes of debate, mostly from Democratic members raising concerns over spending for public school education, the environment and health care. “I have to rise in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 13, 2017

Florida lawmakers appear to be taking steps to repeal a state law requiring personal injury protection coverage, but differences remain between the House and Senate proposals. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 8-1 to approve a bill (SB 1766) that would repeal the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, replacing the PIP mandate with a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 13, 2017

Ballard Partners is continuing to add to its D.C. roster, announcing Thursday former U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler has joined the firm as a senior counselor. “The idea is to develop an international practice,” Wexler told POLITICO. “My hope would be to focus on certain international relationships that I’ve worked on for decades and I’m confident are […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2017

The Florida House rebuffed an attempt to include proviso language in the budget for a report on the “imposition and execution of capital punishment” in Florida. The amendment, put forward by Rep. Sharon Pritchett, called for the state to use money to fund a report from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 11, 2017

Sen. Bill Nelson vowed to fight off threats to drill in the waters off Florida’s west coast, telling Southwest Florida officials he’ll do whatever he can to protect the coastal communities. “Increasingly we have threats to drill in the Gulf of Mexico off the west coast of Florida, and it’s getting to the point that […]

Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster

House Appropriations Committee clears medical marijuana bill, despite concerns from advocates

Amendment could limit the number of retail locations allowed to dispense medical marijuana

Rick Scott announces resignation of his chief inspector general

Bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana likely dead for this Session

71% of Floridians think conversion therapy for minors should be illegal, bills to prohibit it stalled in Legislature

House approves its spending plan, setting it up for budget negotiations

House, Senate bills to repeal PIP clear committees despite questions, differences

Former congressman Robert Wexler joins Ballard Partners D.C. office

House votes down budget amendment calling for report on cost-effectiveness of Florida’s death penalty

Bill Nelson talks offshore oil drilling ban during Southwest Florida stop