Peter Schorsch, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 13, 2017

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica. — AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY URGES BILL NELSON TO BACK TAX REFORM EFFORTS — Americans for Prosperity-Florida is launching a digital ad campaign urging Floridians to contact Sen. Nelson and ask him to […]

Peter SchorschJune 12, 2017

The race to replace Kathleen Peters in House District 69 is officially underway. Ray Blacklidge, a Madeira Beach resident and self-described entrepreneur and consumer advocate, became the first candidate to file for the seat since Peters announced she would not seek re-election in order to run for the Pinellas County Commission. House District 69 covers the […]

Peter SchorschJune 12, 2017

Governor Rick Scott will sign into law a sweeping education bill that would steer more money to privately run charter schools, require recess in elementary schools, and tinker with the state’s oft-criticized standardized testing system. An informed legislative source told FloridaPolitics.com Monday morning that Scott will sign HB 7069 in Orlando on Thursday. The legislation, which was […]

Peter SchorschJune 12, 2017

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica. Scott Powers and Terry Roen of Orlando-Rising.com wrote today’s topper. — ONE YEAR LATER — On Monday, a city still in deep mourning will reckon itself to the first anniversary of one […]

Peter SchorschJune 11, 2017

With special session firmly in the rearview mirror, the 27 freshmen Republican members of the Florida House are quickly turning their attention to selecting one of their own to serve as Speaker, beginning in 2022. Even during the special session — where the budget, key education policies and implementation of a medical marijuana amendment were […]

Peter SchorschJune 10, 2017

Earlier Friday, the same day lawmakers approved the implementing bill for the state’s constitutional amendment on medical marijuana, an appellate court handed marijuana growers a loss. The 1st District Court of Appeals held that identities of investors and partners in medical marijuana companies aren’t trade secrets. It remanded back to Circuit Judge Charles Dodson, however, […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2017

Florida sugar growers are pushing back hard on accusations that “Big Sugar and Big Citrus” had a hand in writing legislation to expand access to medical marijuana. On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that that tucked into sweeping legislation on medical marijuana is “preferential treatment to companies that promise to convert orange juice factories […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2017

Quick hit: With hours left in the Special Session, rumors of a final deal abound. Details are scarce, but one Senator close to negotiations said “there could be a path to get our work completed today,” putting it at a 60 percent probability. The Senate could get its money for hospitals, but the House will […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2017

President Donald Trump is asserting that fired FBI Director James Comey’s testimony to Congress represents “total and complete vindication” in the Russia case. Trump, who did not post on his Twitter account as Comey appeared before the Senate intelligence committee Thursday, sent a tweet at daybreak Friday. In the post, the president said: “Despite so […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2017

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature, which has been wracked by feuds among its top leaders for the last several years, is in danger of ending a three-day special session without restoring billions in money that public schools use to pay for day-to-day operations. The session is scheduled to end Friday, but after two days there remained a […]

Peter Schorsch

Sunburn for 6.13.17 – AFP targets Bill Nelson; Rick Scott goes Johnny Drama; Jeff Atwater leaving June 30; Greg Black heads to Gunster

Ray Blacklidge becomes first to file to run in battleground House District 69

Sources: Governor to sign HB 7069 in Orlando on Thursday

Sunburn for 6.12.17 – One year later

Secret balloting was cause of latest Speaker’s race rift

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Medical marijuana wins one, loses one

Sugar growers: We were not involved ‘in any way’ with medical marijuana implementation

Is there a deal to get out of Tallahassee on time?

Day after Comey hearing, Donald Trump claims ‘total and complete vindication’

Session on verge of collapse as Florida GOP leaders feud