Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2019

There’s little doubt that the Tampa Bay Times’ Craig Pittman is one of the most biased reporters working in Florida. He’s anti-Republican. Anti-business. Anti-progress. This writer has, on multiple occasions, butted heads with Pittman, leading to two published walk-backs of his reporting (one involving his reporting about Florida politicians’ trips to King Ranch, another was […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 9, 2019

Closing loopholes in Florida’s conflict of interest rules and leveling the playing field on legal costs in ethics cases rose up as top priorities for the Florida Commission on Ethics this year. Kerrie Stillman presented the Ethics Commission’s legislation priorities to the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, where she outlined concerns about how local […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 9, 2019

funfair__ghosts__merrygoround_by_abbyarcanine-1024x1024.jpg

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the Florida Senate staffing merry-go-round. Off: Tim Sadberry is no longer staff director for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice. On: Trent Phillips joined the Senate Majority Office as a legislative assistant. On: Johnny Brown is the new legislative assistant […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 8, 2019

Just hours after the inauguration Tuesday of Gov. Ron DeSantis, his predecessor, Rick Scott, was sworn into the U.S. Senate. Scott appeared at DeSantis’ inauguration ceremony in Tallahassee and then went to Washington, where Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office Scott was joined by fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, and former […]

Scott PowersJanuary 8, 2019

Florida’s foresters, land managers and storm recovery crews have more than just the obvious devastation left behind by Hurricane Michael. Now, they must prepare for the potential of massive wildfires, floodplains flooding, and the prospect of devastation by pine beetles. That was part of the sobering message given Tuesday to the Florida Senate Environment and […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 8, 2019

Mr. President, make America’s roads safe again. The beginning of every year should be a time of hope, with the possibility of changing behavior for the better. Tragically, a traffic crash only three days into the new year ended in death for five children aged 9 to 14 on I-75 Gainesville. My nightmare began on […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 8, 2019

The director of the newly created Office of Safe Schools highlighted calls for increased fencing, single points of entry and improved security systems at a Tuesday meeting of the Senate Education Committee. Damien Kelly was on hand to brief lawmakers on the implementation of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026), signed into law […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2019

Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ office on Tuesday said the new governor “will make an important announcement regarding the Florida Supreme Court.” The announcement is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Freedom Tower in Miami. DeSantis has three seats to fill; Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy A. Quince all faced mandatory age-related retirement Tuesday. The next justices will […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 8, 2019

Supporters of newly sworn-in Gov. Ron DeSantis heralded the bold vision outlined Tuesday in his inaugural address. “Gov. DeSantis made it abundantly clear he has an ambitious agenda in areas very important to Floridians while acknowledging at the same time it builds on the success of Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature,” said lobbyist […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 8, 2019

A possible economic contraction and anticipated needs for new money could result in lawmakers acting more conservatively as they forge the state’s nearly $90 billion spending plan. Chief legislative economist Amy Baker gave a bittersweet update to state House budget committee members on Tuesday. Florida’s economic indicators are healthy, with some even better than pre-recession levels, […]

Headlines

Craig Pittman’s bias, as exemplified in one lede

Ethics Commission wants loopholes closed, disclosures increased

Latest on the Senate legislative merry-go-round

Rick Scott sworn into U.S. Senate

The four Hurricane Michael disasters: storm, long-term flooding, fire threat, pine beetle

Irv Slosberg: Did government shutdown prevent learning cause of crash?

Office of Safe Schools chief gives update on Florida school security issues

Ron DeSantis set to make first state Supreme Court pick

Supporters celebrate Ron DeSantis ‘ambitious agenda’ in inaugural address

Don’t expect a legislative spending spree, House budget chief says