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

Staff ReportsFebruary 27, 2018

High school students helping drive the agenda in Washington Congress is back following the Presidents Day recess. Virtually nothing has changed since the day they left. When they left, Americans, along with Congress, we’re just trying to process what had happened — and why — at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. While they were gone, […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 27, 2018

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida says it’s suing state Rep. Chuck Clemons, a Newberry Republican, “for blocking a constituent from the representative’s official social media accounts.” Clemons fired back Tuesday that the suit was “frivolous and a waste of taxpayer time and money.” From the press release: The constituent, Morgan Attwood of Gainesville, tweeted […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 27, 2018

The House and Senate agreed upon the broad outlines of a state budget Monday night and will soon name conferees to work out the details. Senate budget chief Rob Bradley confirmed late Monday that a deal between the House and the Senate on budget allocations had been reached. Budget conferencing could begin as soon as Tuesday. Allocations […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 27, 2018

A business group pushing the House version of assignment of benefits reform is releasing video testimonials by consumers who feel they were harmed by AOB abuse. “I basically signed my life away,” said Darleen Masturzo of Davenport, one of the consumers. “For anyone who doesn’t believe AOB abuse is causing hardship and stress for consumers, […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 26, 2018

Days after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement requested $1 million in emergency funding from the U.S. Justice Department to reimburse law enforcement agencies that responded to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting, Florida’s U.S. Senators, Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, wrote in support of the request, urging quick reimbursement, along with U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch. […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 26, 2018

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s fire marshal, called the Florida League of Cities “disgraceful” for “attempting to derail” legislation that would allow first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) access to mental health benefits. Patronis issued a news release Monday. “Florida League of Cities lobbyists have, at every step of the legislative committee process, vehemently […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 25, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott is asking for an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the law enforcement response — namely the Broward County Sheriff’s office — into the last week’s Parkland school shooting. Calls for an FDLE inquiry is in response to a push from state lawmakers for Scott to remove Broward County […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 25, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rowdies picked up their first win of the preseason, topping the Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the final match of the 2018 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies benefitted from first-half goals scored by Jochen Graf and Michael Nanchoff in a thoroughly convincing win over Major League […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 23, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday ordered flags at half-staff for former state Rep. Rob Wallace. Wallace, a Republican, represented House District 47, comprising northwest Hillsborough and northern Pinellas counties, from 1994 to 2002. He lived in Tampa, and owned and operated a civil and environmental engineering company. The 65-year-old died earlier this week after jumping from […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 23, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron on Friday released what they called a “sweeping new school safety reform package.” “I was moved by my conversations with some truly brave and remarkable students this week,” Corcoran, a Land o’ Lakes Republican, said in a statement. “Their commitment to ensuring no school ever endures another […]

Staff Reports

Delegation for 2.27.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Don’t block me, bro: ACLU sues lawmaker over social media Heisman

Legislative leadership agrees on 2018 allocations

Coalition enlists consumer testimony in support of AOB reform

Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson back FDLE request for $1 million for Parkland reimbursement

Jimmy Patronis: League of Cities’ opposition to benefits for first responders is ‘disgraceful’

Rick Scott calls for FDLE Parkland investigation, resists removing Broward Sheriff

Tampa Bay Rowdies defeat Philadelphia Union in Suncoast Invitational finale

Flags ordered at half-staff for former Rep. Rob Wallace

‘Game changer’: Lawmakers roll out post-Parkland response