Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

In 2003, Florida lawmakers prohibited municipalities from setting wage rates. According to a new Public Policy Polling survey released Thursday, over two-thirds of Floridians disagree with the law — and that the state should not restrict local governments from establishing their own minimum wages. In 2016, Miami Beach challenged state law when its City Commission approved […]

Scott PowersMarch 1, 2018

Florida’s Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on Thursday announced his Senate plan to respond to the Parkland massacre, which includes strengthening school security, providing for “restraining order” powers for police to confiscate weapons from dangerous individuals and adding to the gun purchase background-check databases. Rubio said his plan, which he called a comprehensive response, has […]

Scott PowersMarch 1, 2018

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis on Thursday denounced Florida Legislature efforts to tighten gun restrictions and said the mass shooting two weeks ago at the Parkland high school should be seen as “a catastrophic failure” by the Broward County sheriff and the FBI. DeSantis, a congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach, has made similar comments in […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

With the Georgia Legislature considering blocking a tax break for Delta Air Lines, former Miami Beach Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is the latest Democrat outside the Peach State to ask the carrier to come to Florida. The solicitations to Delta Air Lines CEO Edward H. Bastian have been flowing since the Georgia Senate threatened a […]

Scott PowersMarch 1, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King has released a new online campaign video declaring that the massacres in Pulse and Parkland demand a transformation of Florida politics, stressing his commitments to banning assault weapons, pushing for universal background checks, and expanding Medicaid. The 90-second video “This is the Year” includes footage of vigils held for the mass […]

Scott PowersMarch 1, 2018

Survivors, family, and community members battered but not beaten by Florida’s two great recent tragedies met in Orlando Wednesday at Pulse nightclub, uniting in their grief, anger, determination and a frustration over how things do or do not change. A busload of Parkland community members, including families of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students, came […]

Peter SchorschMarch 1, 2018

New candidates filed on Wendesday to run the Florida House seats currently held by Reps. Byron Donalds and Julio Gonzalez. Republican Nicholas Trolli put in his paperwork to run for House District 74, which has been held by Gonzalez since 2014. Trolli is likely putting his chips down in case Gonzalez, a Sarasota Republican, opts […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

An angry Adam Putnam lashed out at lawmakers Wednesday for planning to raid a state account funded by fees from concealed weapon licenses. As Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Putnam is in charge of issuing such permits. A proposal (SB 7026) in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 28, 2018

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri wants to clear the air. Yes, he testified in Tallahassee before the House Appropriations Committee in support of the Marshal plan, a controversial proposal that calls for arming teachers in schools (if approved by district superintendents or school boards). However, the Gualtieri admitted Tuesday that he doesn’t advocate arming schoolteachers, but […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 28, 2018

In Tampa Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott continued a statewide tour touting his proposed $500 million to make Florida’s public schools safer in the aftermath of the massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School two weeks ago. The Governor’s plan includes putting law enforcement officers in every Florida public school, assembling a “threat-assessment team” that would embed a member […]

Headlines
Arthur Chandler. Image via Pinsly Railroad Co.

Survey shows Floridians want municipalities to be able to raise minimum wage

Marco Rubio post-Parkland plan focuses on school security, restraining order seizures

Ron DeSantis calls Parkland massacre a failure of FBI, sheriff; denounces state gun proposals

Philip Levine calls on Delta to relocate HQ to Florida

Chris King releases video ad on Parkland, Pulse, seeking ‘transformation’

Parkland meets Pulse, uniting in grief, anger and frustration

New candidates file for Southwest Florida House seats

Hands off concealed carry money, Adam Putnam says

Bob Gualtieri wants guns on school campuses — but not for teachers

In Tampa, Rick Scott remains noncommittal on signing law to arm teachers