Frank Torres, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Frank TorresAugust 14, 2015

Members of United for Care staked out the steps of the Orange County Courthouse on Monday afternoon, collecting petitions and promoting its platform to make medical marijuana legal in the state of Florida. The new effort comes nearly a year after voters failed to pass Amendment 2, coming 2 percent short of the 60 percent necessary […]

Frank TorresAugust 13, 2015

Orange County said Thursday that its newly formed Heroin Task Force will hold its inaugural meeting on Monday. The task force is being formed to address the 84 percent increase in deaths from the drug since 2013. County officials point to abused prescription use, higher purity levels, easier access to the drug as a key […]

Frank TorresAugust 13, 2015

The Orange County League of Women Voters held a “Gun Safety Summit” Thursday morning that focused on defeating legislation that would allow concealed weapons on school campuses. The event featured speakers who, from their perspectives of life on university campuses, listed the negatives of such legislation. Students brought up possible scenarios such as roommates stumbling […]

Frank TorresAugust 12, 2015

Susannah Randolph, former district director for U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, officially started her campaign for Florida’s 9th Congressional District Wednesday evening in downtown Orlando. In front of a crowd of family, friends, and supporters, Randolph told her history of “fighting in the trenches” for progressive policies. She promoted a platform that revolved around equality, saying, “When […]

Frank TorresAugust 12, 2015

Orlando Sen. Darren Soto launched an online petition this morning to ban the natural gas exploration practice of hydraulic fracturing – or “fracking” – in the state of Florida. Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand […]

Frank TorresAugust 11, 2015

State Rep. Scott Plakon is seeking to protect religious organizations from legal action for refusing to perform ceremonies that “violate sincerely held religious beliefs.” On Tuesday, Plankton filed House Bill 43 for the 2016 Regular Session. Known as the “Pastor Protection Act,” it would keep churches and related organizations from being forced to carry out […]

Frank TorresAugust 11, 2015

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer continued his impressive drive in July toward a fifth term with $115,000 in campaign contributions. His haul consisted of $95,000 in donations made to his individual account and an additional $20,000 coming from his super PAC Moving Orlando Forward. He’s reached $290,000 for the campaign with about $245,000 of it on […]

Frank TorresAugust 10, 2015

Orange County Democratic Executive Chairman and House District 49 candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith raised about $12,500 in July to bring his campaign haul to $34,000 for his first two months on the trail. Smith has over $31,000 of it on hand. Smith’s lone opponent Gus Martinez has not had any significant fundraising activity, nor does he […]

Frank TorresAugust 10, 2015

Osceola County Commissioners were at odds this afternoon over a tourism development trip that would enter the county into “Sister City” agreements with Taiwan, Shanghai, and Beijing. The discussion began when District 5 Commissioner Fred Hawkins raised questions over the benefits of spending money on a trip to visit with representatives from those cities. District […]

Frank TorresAugust 10, 2015

State Rep. Bob Cortes raiseda little more than $21,000 in July, as he officially began his defense of one of the biggest battleground districts in Florida. That brings his complete haul for his re-election campaign to about $57,000 with almost all of it on hand. The Altamonte Springs Republican’s only opponent at the moment is […]

Frank Torres
Image via AP.

United for Care steps up medical marijuana petition efforts in Orlando

Orange County launches Heroin Task Force on Monday

League of Women Voters oppose guns-on-campus bills at Orlando summit

Susannah Randolph begins campaign for Congress in downtown Orlando

Darren Soto starts on-line petition to ban fracking

Scott Plakon files “Pastor Protection Act” to shield churches from “violating beliefs”

Buddy Dyer nets $115K in July, reaches $290K for re-election bid

Carlos Smith raises $12.5K during July for HD 49 race

Osceola Commission at odds over Far East business trip

Bob Cortes banks $21K for July in House District 30 race