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

Staff ReportsMay 9, 2017

The National Republican Congressional Committee is thanking Republicans in new digital ad campaign. The committee released a new web ad — called “Promise Made, Promise Kept” — to highlight the passage of the American Health Care Act. The 50-second spot thanks Republicans for their support, and targets Democrats for their support of the Affordable Care Act, often […]

Staff ReportsMay 9, 2017

Jose Felix Diaz is jumping into the race to replace former Sen. Frank Artiles in Senate District 40. “I am filing for Florida Senate District 40. It is the area that I have represented for the past seven years and the place where I am raising my kids,” he said in a statement. “I plan […]

Staff ReportsMay 8, 2017

The Senate approved a roughly $83 billion state spending plan during a legislative overtime Monday, including a raft of conforming bills implementing House and Senate priorities on matters including public schools, colleges, and universities. The 34-4 vote sent the General Appropriations Act to the House, which later approved it on a 98-14 vote. The annual ‘sine die’ ceremony, […]

Staff ReportsMay 8, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has set the dates for a special election to replace former Sen. Frank Artiles, setting the stage for what could the first in a series of special elections in South Florida. The special primary election in Senate District 40 is scheduled for July 25, with a special general election to follow on […]

Staff ReportsMay 8, 2017

The office of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who is stepping down with the conclusion of the Legislative Session, has defended pay raises for his top staff as in line with long-overdue increases throughout his department. In a letter dated Thursday to Senate President Joe Negron’s chief of staff, Cheri Vancura, Atwater’s chief of staff, Budd […]

Staff ReportsMay 7, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is headed to Miami Monday to rally for the release of jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López. The Governor’s Office announced Scott, a Naples Republican, will hold a Freedom Rally at 6 p.m., Monday at El Arepazo 2, 3900 NW 79th Avenue in Miami. He is expected to demand the release of López, who was […]

Staff ReportsMay 6, 2017

The work of the people ended with a whimper Friday, as lawmakers agreed to extend the 2017 Legislative Session to complete the budget, killing a host of other legislation. As the Legislature turned out the lights around 9:30 p.m., high-profile dead bills included efforts to overhaul workers’ compensation and assignment of benefits, and to implement the […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

The Legislature stiffed the Florida Chamber of Commerce on one of its top priorities this year — abuse of assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs. The Chamber isn’t hiding how it feels about that. “Florida’s hardworking families should remember this – the Florida Senate chose to side with anti-consumer special interests, instead of stepping up […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

On Friday, the scheduled last day of the 2017 legislative session, the Florida Senate confirmed Gov. Rick Scott‘s picks to run the state’s health care agencies. The Senate approved Justin Senior to head the Agency for Health Care Administration and Celeste Philip to lead the Department of Health as Florida’s Surgeon General. The Florida Medical […]

Staff ReportsMay 4, 2017

The Florida Legislature has passed a bill that will give a renewable-energy tax break to commercial and industrial properties with solar installations. The measure (SB 90) was sent to Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday after passing the Senate unanimously. If signed into law, businesses that install solar panels to their properties would not have to […]

Staff Reports
Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Image via AP.

NRCC releases ad to thank Brian Mast, Republicans for health care vote

Jose Felix Diaz officially jumping into race to replace Frank Artiles

Legislature OKs 2017-18 state budget in extended session

Rick Scott sets special election dates to replace Frank Artiles in Senate

Jeff Atwater’s office defends pay increases for top administrators

Rick Scott to hold rally in Miami to call for release of Leopoldo Lopez

See ya Monday: House and Senate adjourn after extending session

Florida Chamber and allies unload on Senate for skipping AOB reform this year

Senate confirms Justin Senior, Celeste Philip

Renewable-energy tax break bill headed to Rick Scott