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

Staff ReportsJune 19, 2017

The Florida Bar‘s Annual Convention begins Wednesday at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, with “a focus on the future of the legal profession and the challenges lawyers face,” the organization said in a news release. On Friday, Miami attorney Michael J. Higer will be sworn in as the Bar’s 69th president, and West Palm Beach attorney Michelle […]

Staff ReportsJune 16, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday evening announced he had signed another 13 bills from the 2017 Legislative Session into law. Those bills include SB 118, which Scott’s office said would “prevent businesses that publish arrest photos from charging a fee to remove them if requested.” The measure was aimed at the growing number of websites that showcase […]

Staff ReportsJune 16, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday ordered flags at half-staff to honor Joshua Albert Sanchez Montaad, an Agricultural Law Enforcement Officer who died in a wreck while on duty. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Montaad—a 25-year-old from Safety Harbor in Pinellas County—was killed in a single car crash this Tuesday on U.S. 19 in Taylor County. “His […]

Staff ReportsJune 16, 2017

Tim Canova is giving it another try. The Miami Herald reported that Canova has announced he plans to seek a rematch against Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in 2018. Canova, according to the Miami Herald, made the announcement during a Broward Democratic progressive caucus meeting in Plantation on Thursday. “Our fight to restore our Democracy from […]

Staff ReportsJune 16, 2017

Florida retailers expect dads to be showered with gifts, with a record-setting Father’s Day in 2017. The Florida Retail Federation, the state’s leading trade association for the retail industry, predicts consumers will spend an average $134.75 for the holiday, up almost $10 from last year’s $125.92. Spending nationwide is also expected to reach $15.5 billion, […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott signed a sweeping education bill (HB 7069) that, among other things, sends more public money to privately-run charter schools. The legislation, a top priority for House Speaker Richard Corcoran, also requires recess in elementary schools, makes changes to the state’s standardized testing system, and includes millions of dollars for teacher bonuses. The […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

The Florida House is touting the signing of a wide-sweeping education bill with a new video. The nearly 3-minute web video, released ahead of a bill signing event at Morning Star Catholic School in Orlando, features news clips showing parents talking about their children and reporters highlighting the 2015 “Failure Factories” series by the Tampa […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

After years of unsuccessfully fighting its way through the Legislature, the estoppel bill is now law. Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday signed the measure (SB 398), which overhauls the legal process of estoppel letters. It goes into effect July 1. “We are grateful for this compromise that will benefit Florida homeowners, associations, and taxpayers,” said Mark Anderson, Executive Director for […]

Staff ReportsJune 14, 2017

Companies will now be required to promptly notify the Department of Environmental Protection of a pollution incident under a bill signed by Gov. Rick Scott. The so-called spill bill (SB 1018) requires companies to submit a notice of a reportable pollution release to the Department of Environmental Protection within 24 hours of the release. That […]

Staff ReportsJune 14, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Parker Aziz is no longer Special Master and attorney for the House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee. Off: Nikolas Pascual has stepped down as a legislative assistant for the vacant House District 116 […]

Staff Reports

Florida Bar holds annual convention this week

Rick Scott signs 13 more bills into law

Rick Scott orders flags at half-staff for fallen officer

Report: Tim Canova will once again challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Florida retailers expect record Father’s Day spending

Capitol Reax: Rick Scott signs HB 7069

In new video ahead of HB 7069 signing, Florida House declares ‘hope has arrived’

Don’t estoppel believing: Now it’s a law

Rick Scott signs pollution notification bill into law

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round