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

Staff ReportsJanuary 21, 2018

The Trump campaign released a new campaign ad calling Democratic lawmakers “complicit” in all murders committed by undocumented immigrants. The 30-second video opens with footage of a recent courtroom outburst by Luis Bracamontes, a twice-deported undocumented immigrant accused of killing two Sacramento-area deputies in 2014. The ad labels Bracamontes as “pure evil.” “Now Democrats who […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 21, 2018

Feuding Democrats and Republicans in Congress are trying to dodge blame for a paralyzing standoff over immigration and showing few signs of progress on negotiations needed to end a government shutdown. The finger-pointing Saturday played out in rare weekend proceedings in both the House and Senate, where lawmakers were eager to show voters they were […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 19, 2018

Florida is not yet “off the table” in a federal plan to expand offshore oil drilling, according to an official of the Donald Trump administration. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) acting director Walter Cruickshank revealed to a congressional committee Friday that Florida could still be included in offshore drilling activities, paving the way for […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 18, 2018

A proposal to allow the automatic restoration of non-violent ex-felons’ voting rights cleared a Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) committee on Thursday. The CRC’s Ethics and Elections Committee OK’d the measure (P7) by a 6-2 vote. “If successful, Smith and Joyner’s proposal would bring Florida in line with most of the states in the nation that already allow […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 18, 2018

More money could be coming to the Jacksonville School for Autism, if legislation carried in the Senate by Aaron Bean and the House by Jason Fischer passes. The legislators seek $250,000 for the school’s Strategies and Techniques for Effective Practice (STEP) Program. “Jacksonville School for Autism has impacted numerous lives since its founding and has provided its students […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 17, 2018

The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Cabinet members wouldn’t be able to accept political contributions while the Legislature is in session under a bill moving through the House. Lawmakers are already barred from fundraising while in session, but the bill (HB 707) would place a similar prohibition on the statewide officials during regular, special or extended […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 16, 2018

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Ben Crump is branching out. The Tallahassee-based national civil-rights attorney Tuesday announced his partnership with New York’s Rosen Law Firm “to help institutional investors that have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct,” a press release said. “We are excited to join forces with Larry Rosen and one of the country’s leading securities law firms to […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 15, 2018

Legislation expanding workers’ rights is being pushed by a pro-free market, limited government spending watchdog this Session. Americans for Prosperity-Florida recently launched a new direct mail piece encouraging Florida voters to support recent bills that would require unions to hold regular elections and obtain 50 percent of their actively paying dues members in order to […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 12, 2018

Aside from high-profile ‘sanctuary cities’ legislation, the Florida House on Friday also approved a bounty of bills on subjects including red-light cameras and insurance. Here are a few: — Red-light cameras (HB 6001): The bill “prohibits counties and municipalities from implementing red light camera programs by local ordinance,” according to a summary. It passed 83-18. […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 12, 2018

One of the state’s leading business lobbies is cheering the defeat of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have expanded the right to bring environmental-related lawsuits. The Constitution Revision Commission‘s Judicial Committee on Friday unanimously voting against the measure (P23). “This unnecessary proposal would have opened up not only Florida businesses, but private citizens as well, […]

Trump campaign releases ad taking even harder line on immigration

Democrats, GOP exchange charges of blame for shutdown

Doanld Trump administration official admits Florida offshore drilling still ‘on the table’

Voting rights proposal advanced by constitutional review board

Aaron Bean, Jason Fischer seek money for autism treatment

Governor, Cabinet could be banned from fundraising during Session

Ben Crump teams up with Rosen Law on corporate fraud

AFP mailer: Support workers’ rights legislation

Fast and furious: House passes slew of bills

Thumbs down: Environmental constitutional amendment defeated