William March, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

William MarchJanuary 13, 2016

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed legislation expanding aid for students with intellectual disabilities and named the program for Senate President Andy Gardiner, who has made what he calls “people with unique abilities” the signature issue of his tenure as president. The bill (SB 672) increases funding from $55 million to $73 million for $10,000-per-year […]

William MarchJanuary 7, 2016

A massive bill to protect Florida’s springs, waterways and groundwater appears headed for passage at the start of the coming Legislative Session, despite objections from environmentalists who say it’s been weakened by loopholes and the influence of industry and agriculture interests. Critics say they still hope floor amendments will close loopholes in Senate and House […]

William MarchJanuary 7, 2016

A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could affect whether prisoners are counted in drawing voting districts in Florida, an issue that affects voting power particularly in rural areas of the state. The American Civil Liberties Union and several Jefferson County residents charge the county used “prison-based gerrymandering” in drawing its five […]

William MarchApril 23, 2015

A compromise between the National Rifle Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association has revived the possibility of a ban on backyard gun ranges in Florida. The Florida House on Thursday amended a bill on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulations to ban shooting in dense residential areas. The Senate has already adopted a […]

William MarchApril 20, 2015

Some Florida lawmakers want to impose state-level regulations on the free-wheeling online world, and are drawing opposition from some of the nation’s biggest Internet companies including Google, Yahoo, Facebook and eBay. The conflict is over two proposed laws. One would affect who controls a person’s email and social media accounts and the secrets they may […]

William MarchApril 6, 2015

As Andy Gardiner and his wife, Camille, drove home from the Orlando hospital with their newborn son 11 years ago, in shock at having just learned he had Down syndrome, they made a decision that reverberates in the Florida Legislature today. With Gardiner now in the powerful post of state Senate president, lawmakers are poised […]

William MarchMarch 30, 2015

The Florida Legislature is considering several new measures to restrict abortions, including one with a strong chance of passage that calls for a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can undergo the procedure. That measure, House Bill 0633, would require that a woman make one trip to the clinic for legally required counseling before coming […]

William MarchMarch 29, 2015

In a state Legislative Gession preoccupied with gambling, guns, booze and tax cuts, the Children’s Movement of Florida is pushing a cause that gets little attention: health care and early education for children from poor families. It may not draw high-powered lobbyists to the Capitol rotunda, but Vance Aloupis, director of the group, said it’s […]

William MarchMarch 29, 2015

In a state Legislative Gession preoccupied with gambling, guns, booze and tax cuts, the Children’s Movement of Florida is pushing a cause that gets little attention: health care and early education for children from poor families. It may not draw high-powered lobbyists to the Capitol rotunda, but Vance Aloupis, director of the group, said it’s […]

William MarchMarch 24, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet rejected nominations of three Confederate soldiers for the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Tuesday after being told they weren’t eligible because they didn’t serve in the U.S. military. Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans argued they should be included because the veterans honorably served the state and […]

William March
Jacksonville's first professional women’s sports team has a kickoff date for the 2025-2026 USL Super League season.

Senate passes disabled children bill; now it moves to House

Environmentalists say water protection bill has loopholes

Group challenges inclusion of prisoners in voting districts

Amendment would ban gun ranges in some residential areas

Internet companies oppose Florida proposals to regulate web

Senator’s child with Down syndrome inspires legislation

New restrictions on abortion could pass in state Legislature

In Tallahassee, there’s a low-profile push for child welfare

In Tallahassee, there's a low-profile push for child welfare

Rick Scott, Cabinet reject Confederates for state Veterans Hall of Fame