Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is now saying that his fellow Republicans in the Florida House are using “fake news” to justify their plan to scrap the state’s economic development agency. Scott used his campaign Twitter account on Wednesday to distribute a video critical of House Speaker Richard Corcoran and House Republicans. The video labels Corcoran a […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

For the past eight years, thousands of conservative activists have descended on Washington each spring with dreams of putting a Republican in the White House. This year, they’re learning reality can be complicated. With Donald Trump‘s presidential victory, the future of the conservative movement has become entwined with an unconventional New York businessman better known […]

Les NeuhausFebruary 22, 2017

It’s another interesting day in the Florida child welfare business and not a bit has anything to do with a Department of Children and Families (DCF) child protection investigator being arrested. That’s good news. Starting with the positive, the Tallahassee Democrat reported Tony Dungy was in the state capital to speak at a DCF Black History Month Celebration, […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

A new bill from state Sen. George Gainer would strip Tri-Rail of state funding unless its board rescinds a controversial $511 million contract, and it require state approval of future contracts. The Bay County Republican’s Senate Bill 1118, introduced Tuesday, would force the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority to decide between the ten-year, $511 million operations and maintenance contract it […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2017

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The state of Florida took another step towards the mainstream of American jurisprudence when a Senate committee Wednesday approved a proposal that would require a unanimous verdict from a jury to sentence a prisoner to the death penalty. The Senate Rules Committee approved a measure (SB 280) sponsored by Orlando Democrat Randolph Bracy that would replace the current state […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2017

On Wednesday, a Florida House panel took the baton from a Senate committee, addressing a problem-riddled Auditor General’s IT audit of the Agency for State Technology. The House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee discussed a January Auditor General report about the Agency for State Technology and State Data Center operations. Despite the findings of that […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

State Sen. Jeff Brandes‘s new economic development proposal would continue operations of the embattled Enterprise Florida and state Department of Economic Opportunity, but on tight leashes. Senate Bills 1110 and 1112 spell out a new way of doing business for two of Florida’s major economic development programs that have been under fire for accountability, particularly […]

Les NeuhausFebruary 22, 2017

Members of the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice passed a highly-contested bill Tuesday, potentially changing the state’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense laws. If passed, it would place the burden of proof on the prosecution (or state) in cases of those who claim self-defense immunity in acts of violence when brought before judiciary proceedings. HB 245 […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2017

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Being a Democratic Senator up for re-election in 2018 and living in a state won by Donald Trump last fall means that Bill Nelson is going to be getting a lot of attention over the next year and a half from groups supporting Republican causes. On Wednesday, TV ads began running on cable news networks […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2017

Last year in the Florida Legislature, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to create statewide regulations regarding ridesharing, but the bill died ignominiously in the state Senate. Similar bills are winding their way through committees in both chambers already in 2017, and on Wednesday, the group Floridians for Ridesharing Coalition announced their support for […]

Headlines
Tim Weisheyer was appointed to the Florida State University Board of Trustees. Image via FloridaRealtors.com.

Rick Scott says fellow Republicans — he’s looking at you, Mr. Speaker — are spreading fake news

Conservatives welcome Donald Trump with delight – and wariness

DCF files: Tony Dungy, adoption, false reports and a new trend – falling asleep in cars, high and with kids

George Gainer’s bill would strip Tri-Rail of funding, contracting authority

Legislation to require unanimous jury rulings for the death penalty advances in Florida Senate

Agency for State Technology audit scrutinized by Florida House panel

Jeff Brandes bills keep Enterprise Florida, but with tight leash

House committee passes controversial change to ‘Stand Your Ground’

Bill Nelson now targeted by group calling for his vote to repeal, replace ACA

Floridians for Ridesharing Coalition pushes for statewide bill to get passed this year