Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 7, 2019

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2019 Legislative Session The Last 24 Good Monday evening. Two days’ worth of inaugural activities, including casual pizza parties and official swearings-in, has kicked off in the capital for Governor-elect Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried and CFO Jimmy […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 7, 2019

A bill filed by Sen. Lauren Book to create a tax exemption for purchases of diapers and incontinence products cleared its first hurdle Monday. It emerged from the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism with unanimous approval. Committee Chair Joe Gruters and Vice Chair Victor Torres were joined by members Linda Stewart, Travis Hutson and Tom Wright […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 7, 2019

A bipartisan push is behind legislation that would allow for the expansion of Miami-Dade County’s needle exchange program throughout the rest of the state. The bill (HB 171) for the 2019 Legislative Session was filed Monday by state Reps. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat, and Rene “Coach P” Plasencia, an Orlando Republican. In 2016, the Infectious […]

Scott PowersJanuary 7, 2019

On Tuesday as many as 1.4 million felons who have served all terms of their sentences will get the right to register to vote in Florida thanks to voters approval in November of Amendment 4, a day that felons’ voter rights champion Desmond Meade said would be historic and a celebration. “Tomorrow when returning citizens across […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 7, 2019

Nancy Metayer, a member of the Broward County Soil and Water Conservation Board, has announced she’ll compete to be the next Mayor of Coral Springs in a special election March 12. Metayer issued a press release Monday announcing the move. She’s bidding to replace Mayor Skip Campbell, who passed away in October at the age of […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 7, 2019

How was it possible for Amendment 4, the amendment restoring the voting rights of former felons, to get 64.55 percent of the vote in Florida? All statewide partisan races were close. Clearly, this vote was not partisan. I think the reason is one basic human instinct. Redemption. Americans believe in second chances. They believe in […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 7, 2019

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On Tuesday, I will raise my right hand on the steps of Florida’s Historic Capitol to take the oath of office in much the same tradition that 45 governors have before me. With my wife, Casey, and our two young children, Madison and Mason, watching, it will be a pointed reminder that to whom much […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2019

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis made a campaign promise that he would pursue a fracking ban in Florida, and a Clearwater-based group is making sure he doesn’t forget. Floridians Against Fracking (via Food & Water Watch) said in a Friday news release that it would set up “large visuals throughout Tallahassee in coordination with the Governor’s inauguration […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2019

National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer rolled out the specter of Everytown for Gun Safety in a Friday email to shake some cash out of gun rights supporters. The core of the “alert” was that lobby firm Smith Bryan & Myers is representing the Michael Bloomberg-backed group in Tallahassee, a bit of info she picked […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 7, 2019

There will be no parade when Florida Republican Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis is sworn tomorrow as the 46th governor. DeSantis will be sworn into office on Tuesday. The festivities begin with a prayer breakfast at Florida A&M University before the ceremony on the steps of the Historic Capitol Building and will continue with an address to […]

Headlines

Sixty Days for 1.7.19 — A prime-time look at the 2019 Legislative Session

Senate panel clears bill to exempt diapers from sales tax

Bill would allow needle exchanges outside Miami-Dade

Desmond Meade calls on felons to register, celebrate as ‘returning citizens’

Nancy Metayer announces run for Coral Springs Mayor

Jon Mills: Redemption

Ron DeSantis: I’m committed to pursuing a bold agenda for Florida

Activist group to remind Ron DeSantis of anti-fracking pledge

Email insights: Marion Hammer’s latest ‘alert’ is years late

There will be no inaugural parade for Ron DeSantis