Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 15, 2018

Voters are overwhelmingly in favor of a Constitution Revision Commission proposal that would add victims’ rights to the Florida Constitution. The proposal, known as “Marsy’s Law,” establishes a Victim Bill of Rights which would require crime victims to be told about their rights as well as services available to them and entitles them to updates […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

Survivors, advocates, elected officials and law enforcement turned out in St. Petersburg Wednesday to rally for an end to sexual abuse, taking added significance in light of the growing #MeToo movement. Hosted by the nonprofit Lauren’s Kids, the rally was part of the 8th Annual Walk in My Shoes, a 13-day Tallahassee-to-Key-West advocacy event led […]

Ana CeballosMarch 14, 2018

After years of being a persistent—sometimes annoying—presence in committee rooms across the Capitol, only one thing was able to make Tallahassee’s best-known gadfly hang up his corduroy jacket: a snowball of scandals. “Latvala, Clemens, Artiles—all this happened in one year. In one year! No, that is not acceptable and it was too much. It was […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

Incoming Florida Senate President Bill Galvano announced Wednesday that longtime senior policy adviser Lisa Vickers will serve as his chief of staff. “She brings a wealth of management experience gained from service as executive director of the Department of Revenue under two Governors, combined with a strong and diverse background in public policy,” Galvano said in a statement […]

Peter SchorschMarch 14, 2018

Mike McCalister entered the race for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, setting up a four-way Republican primary to replace Adam Putnam, who is termed-out and running for Governor. Florida Politics previously reported that McCalister, a retired Army Colonel, was eyeing a run for the seat with a decision to come in early spring. McCalister got some name […]

Peter SchorschMarch 14, 2018

A new poll on measures being considered by the Constitution Revision Commission found Florida voters were in favor of requiring a legislative supermajority for any tax increases and want enumerated rights for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The Clearview Research poll also found voters were split on a proposal that would outlaw […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 13, 2018

The Legislative Session ended with a flourish from the National Rifle Association: a lawsuit against the state for the newly-passed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The law bars most groups of people under 21 from buying guns, mandates a three-day waiting period before buying a firearm, bans bump stocks, could arm some school […]

Ana CeballosMarch 13, 2018

In the midst of an emotional last week of Session, a tearful state Rep. Larry Lee Jr. told his colleagues in the Florida House in a 40-minute speech that he would not seek re-election. Six days later, he is reconsidering that decision. He is rethinking things because he says his phone has not stopped ringing. […]

Scott PowersMarch 13, 2018

Marco-Rubio-Sen.-Bill-Nelson-and-Rep.-Ted-Deutch.jpg

Washington D.C.’s mayor and representative to Congress, joined by Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch from Florida, called Florida’s Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio a hypocrite Tuesday because of his proposal to repeal gun laws in the District of Columbia while offering support for tighter gun laws in Florida. Deutch, of Boca Raton whose district includes […]

Scott PowersMarch 13, 2018

Appearing on Fox News Tuesday morning, Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis defended the House Intelligence Committee’s Republican declaration Monday that it was ending its Russia probe after concluding there had been no collusion with Russia by the presidential campaign of Donald Trump. DeSantis, a congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach, said he thinks the Russians’ […]

Headlines

Poll: Florida voters overwhelmingly want ‘Marsy’s Law’

Lauren Book’s ‘Walk in My Shoes’ takes to the streets of St. Pete

‘It was time for a sabbatical’: Scandals drive Brian Pitts away

Bill Galvano names Lisa Vickers chief of staff

Mike McCalister enters Agriculture Commissioner race

Poll: Voters favor tax supermajority, ALF resident rights proposals

In the face of NRA lawsuit, Rick Scott proud of gun control bill

Six days after saying he was out, Larry Lee reconsiders re-election

D.C. officials, Ted Deutch call Marco Rubio a hypocrite, phony for his D.C. gun bill

Ron DeSantis: Russia may be malevolent but no collusion with Trump campaign