Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 22, 2018

Fresh polling shows former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine defeating either major Republican running for Governor if he makes it out of the Democratic primary and onto the general election ballot. The Public Policy Polling survey puts Levine ahead of U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis 41-36 percent if they’re the two choices in November. That 5-point […]

Drew WilsonJune 22, 2018

If the election were today, Tampa Rep. Sean Shaw would be the first Democrat elected Attorney General this century. That’s according to a new PPP poll, which found the first-term lawmaker up 40-35 percent over former circuit court judge Ashley Moody, the leading Republican in the race to succeed term-limited AG Pam Bondi. PPP’s results […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJune 21, 2018

A U.S. Supreme Court decision expanding the ability of states to pull in tax dollars from online purchases could have a significant impact in Florida. In a 5-4 ruling Thursday, the nation’s highest court upheld a South Dakota law that allowed the state to apply its sales tax to major online retailers, even if they […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2018

A new poll from RABA Research is finding similar results from one disclosed earlier this week that the Florida Democratic primary race for the governor’s election is close to a dead heat between former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham. The poll, using random digit dialing and excluding cell phones, surveyed of […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2018

Tallahassee faith leaders — in oratory ranging from subdued to fiery — and others on Wednesday prayed for a permanent end to the separation of migrant families crossing the Mexico-U. S. border. Some, including pediatric cardiologist Louis St. Petery, long outspoken on children’s issues, called it “child abuse.” But many of the roughly 200 who attended […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2018

The head of the trade group for the state’s retailers said Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling opening the door for online sellers to collect sales tax the same as brick-and-mortar stores is “great news.” That’s even though Floridians already are technically supposed to pay sales tax on online purchases. “Retailers have been adamant in seeking equity […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2018

Gambling regulators this week said they plan to keep using an emergency rule that allows them to continue testing racing greyhounds for drugs. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates gambling through its Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, posted a “notice of renewal” in Thursday’s Florida Administrative Register. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 12 […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2018

Earlier in the week, the U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Gov. Rick Scott launched a new TV commercial accusing Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of going negative, even though Nelson hadn’t actually done that, yet. Now he has. Nelson is releasing a one-minute digital ad Thursday called “Oil Slick,” dubbing the governor “Oil Slick Rick” […]

Scott PowersJune 20, 2018

Republican Adam Putnam received the backing of John Stemberger‘s staunchly-Christian-conservative Florida Family Action as a “distinct honor and privilege” and spoke at least generally about supporting the group’s hardline anti-abortion positions. At a news conference with board leaders of Florida Family Action and others at Stemberger’s office in Orlando Wednesday, Putnam also stressed his support […]

Michael MolineJune 20, 2018

Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s board of governors is putting off until December a decision on whether to seek premium increases of an average 7.9 percent on residential policies and 8.9 percent on commercial lines. Board members said Tuesday that they wanted to give Citizens staff time to resolve a large number of Hurricane Irma claims and […]

Headlines

Philip Levine holds edge against GOP rivals, poll finds

Another poll puts Sean Shaw on top in Attorney General race

Internet tax ruling could be major for Florida

Poll: Philip Levine and Gwen Graham tight, Chris King in third

Family separations bring Tallahassee’s faith community together

Florida retailers cheer Supreme Court online sales tax decision

Regulators plan to keep using emergency rule on race-dog drug testing

Bill Nelson goes after Rick Scott as ‘Oil Slick Rick’ in digital ad

Florida Family Action backs Adam Putnam

Citizens Insurance board delays vote on new rates until year’s end