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

Staff ReportsMarch 5, 2018

It may not compare to March Madness — the billions wagered in office betting pools during the NCAA basketball tournament — but Capitol observers have some side bets on the 2018 Legislative Session. The biggest one: “When will the hankie drop?” Enter the annual #CateSineDie. “This Florida Legislative Session has been cray, no matter your […]

Staff ReportsMarch 4, 2018

Charlie and Carole Crist have sold their condo in the Parkshore Plaza building in downtown St. Petersburg. The couple, who are going through a divorce, sold the condo to Susan and Daniel McGeown for $1.35 million, about $300,000 more than they paid for the property when they bought it in mid-2015. The Crist real estate […]

Staff ReportsMarch 2, 2018

House District 93 candidate Emma Collum sent out an email this week asking for campaign donations so she can fix “weak gun regulations” and “remove weapons of war from our streets.” HD 93 covers part of Broward, the county that’s home to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where a school shooter killed 17 people, including […]

Staff ReportsMarch 2, 2018

In one week, gun control dialogue has changed direction Recent history shows that at the end of each week, Washington observers say they have not seen many like this. The same is certainly true at the end of this week. With President Donald Trump in the White House, the unexpected is gradually becoming the norm. Perhaps we […]

Staff ReportsMarch 1, 2018

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s Fire Marshal, Thursday applauded a Senate panel’s unanimous approval of a workers’ compensation insurance bill that could provide expanded benefits to first responders with job-related post-traumatic stress disorder. “Last year, four states, including Texas, passed measures that give first responders the needed access to mental health benefits […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

An angry Adam Putnam lashed out at lawmakers Wednesday for planning to raid a state account funded by fees from concealed weapon licenses. As Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Putnam is in charge of issuing such permits. A proposal (SB 7026) in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

The Florida Legislative Black Caucus announced Wednesday evening it will “hold a press conference to announce (its) opposition to legislation moving through the Florida House and Senate that would provide incentives to arm schoolteachers in Florida.” The news conference is 11:30 a.m. Thursday, on the 4th floor rotunda of the Capitol. In a statement, Democratic […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

Dana Young, a Tampa Republican, says she won’t be pursuing the presidency of the Florida Senate. “As I’m completing my second session in the Senate, I’ve realized the commitment of pursuing and ultimately serving as presiding officer requires more time than I am willing to spend away from my family and my constituents,” she said […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

Mike Waltz, one of a group of Republicans vying to replace outgoing Rep. Ron DeSantis in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, rolled out two endorsements from law enforcement veterans Wednesday. “As a fellow veteran, I know Michael Waltz shares my commitment to conservative values and will do what it takes to keep us safe,” said Jacksonville […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

Sponsors of a measure that would make texting and driving a primary offense in Florida on Wednesday continued their fight for the bill’s passage, even though it appears dead in the Senate. The House bill (HB 33), which has the support of House Speaker Richard Corcoran, was heard on the House floor. The measure is sponsored by […]

Staff Reports

#CateSineDie: Place your bets on Session’s end

Charlie Crist sells downtown St. Petersburg condo

Email insights: Emma Collum says campaign cash will help fix weak gun regulations

Delegation for 3.2.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Jimmy Patronis can’t stop, won’t stop for first responders

Hands off concealed carry money, Adam Putnam says

Black lawmakers plan presser to oppose arming teachers

Dana Young withdraws from race for Senate President

Congressional candidate Mike Waltz rolls out Jacksonville, Daytona Beach lawman endorsements

Primary texting-while-driving ban teed up in House