Staff Reports, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsMarch 20, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags at half staff “in honor and remembrance of the victims of the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse” in Miami. His office made the announcement Tuesday. The U.S. and state flags will be flown at half-staff sunrise to sunset Thursday at the Capitol in Tallahassee, “and at all local and state […]

Staff ReportsMarch 20, 2018

As expected, Gov. Rick Scott signed bills into law that will place a statue of Florida educator and civil-rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune in the U.S. Capitol, and create a slavery memorial at the state Capitol. Those two measures were among 30 the governor signed Monday that were passed during the 2018 Legislative Session. Florida […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2018

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointments of two sheriffs to the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams will fill a vacant seat on the council, and will serve through October 2018. Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast will succeed Sheriff Larry Ashley, and his term will expire in October 2020. The group’s mission is “to provide […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott signed his final state budget Friday, two days after the Legislature sent it to him to review. The $88.7 billion fiscal plan – the largest in state history – landed on Scott’s desk Wednesday, but the governor did not approve it all. He vetoed $64 million worth of line items, the smallest being a […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2018

Despite a proposed tweak to a constitutional amendment, the Protect Tobacco Free Florida coalition says it still opposes the underlying measure. The proposal (P94), filed by Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) member and House Speaker pro tempore Jeanette Nuñez, originally would have redirected dollars from tobacco-prevention efforts to cancer research. Nuñez on Wednesday filed an “amendment to the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 15, 2018

The 2018 Legislative Session finally wrapped. Now, in front of us, the madcap dash to the 2018 primaries in August is about to hit full stride. For Jacksonville area voters, especially Democrats, these are exciting times. From competitive races for Congress to state Senate and state House, there are choices on the ballot. And narratives. […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

Survivors, advocates, elected officials and law enforcement turned out in St. Petersburg Wednesday to rally for an end to sexual abuse, taking added significance in light of the growing #MeToo movement. Hosted by the nonprofit Lauren’s Kids, the rally was part of the 8th Annual Walk in My Shoes, a 13-day Tallahassee-to-Key-West advocacy event led […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

The STOP School Violence Act of 2018 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday. Of the bill’s 94 co-sponsors, 18 are members of the Florida Delegation. The bill was introduced two weeks before the murder of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The bill offers funding for training to prevent student violence against others […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

Incoming Florida Senate President Bill Galvano announced Wednesday that longtime senior policy adviser Lisa Vickers will serve as his chief of staff. “She brings a wealth of management experience gained from service as executive director of the Department of Revenue under two Governors, combined with a strong and diverse background in public policy,” Galvano said in a statement […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

On Wednesday, Sen. Marco Rubio introduced two bills that would make daylight savings time permanent. One bill, the Sunshine Protection Act, would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country. Meanwhile, his Sunshine State Act would give Florida federal approval to establish permanent DST within its boundaries. “Last week, Florida’s legislature overwhelmingly voted for permanent […]

Staff Reports

Flags at half staff for FIU bridge collapse victims

Bethune statue, slavery memorial, payday loans among bills signed by Rick Scott

Jacksonville, Citrus County Sheriffs picked for Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council

Rick Scott signs 2018-19 state budget, releases veto list

Anti-smoking group continues to oppose constitutional amendment

Jacksonville Bold for 3.16.18 — Bottom line

Lauren Book’s ‘Walk in My Shoes’ takes to the streets of St. Pete

U.S. House passes STOP School Violence Act

Bill Galvano names Lisa Vickers chief of staff

Marco Rubio introduces bills to make daylight savings time permanent