Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineFebruary 9, 2017

Legislation cleared a House committee Thursday to create a new cause of action for women who suffer injuries or emotional distress during abortion procedures as a result of the doctor’s failure to provide informed consent. HB 19, by Vero Beach Republican Erin Grall, specified that women would not be bound by restrictions imposed under Florida’s […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 9, 2017

Water remains one of Rep. Francis Rooney’s top priority, the freshman congressman told Southwest Floridians this week. The Naples Republican told member of Businesspeople United for Political Action Committee (BUPAC) that he wants to focus Everglades restoration and improving water quality during his time in office. His visit to Fort Myers kicked off a day-long […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 9, 2017

Rep. Francis Rooney dismissed rumors he is considering gubernatorial bid, saying he is focused on “being the best congressman” he can be for Southwest Florida. Rooney, a freshman congressman and the former ambassador to the Holy See, said he was not considering a run for governor in 2018. “I am considering one thing — being the […]

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2017

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and three more members of Congress have joined the bipartisan, largely bi-coastal Climate Solutions Caucus, the group announced Thursday. With the additions of Crist, a Florida Democrat; David Reichert, a Republican from Washington; Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon; and Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, the caucus formed and chaired […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has scored a preliminary win in his fight against the federal government over U.S. savings bonds he holds as unclaimed property. The U.S. Treasury has agreed to redeem “just over 1,000 bonds, worth a little more than half a million dollars, excluding accrued interest,” Atwater spokeswoman Ashley Carr said Thursday. The total value of […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2017

With a mix of old and new, the annual Florida State Fair kicks off Thursday. In addition to obligatory references to artery-clogging fair fare by local reporters (Deep-fried butter! Spaghetti Ice Cream!), Opening Day of the Fair is the setting for the yearly Governors Day Luncheon, where every man and women in Hillsborough County who is […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday appointed Circuit Judge Robert J. Luck to the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami. Luck, 37, of North Miami Beach, has served as a circuit judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit since 2013. He previously was an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott reappointed Alan Abramowitz as head of the state’s child advocates program. The Governor’s Office announced the appointment Wednesday night for a term of Feb. 8, 2017-Feb. 8, 2019. Abramowitz, 54, of Tallahassee, has been Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program since 2010. Guardians ad litem represent the interests of children in court proceedings, especially […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 8, 2017

Senate Bill 2, the Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act, and Senate Bill 4, Faculty Recruitment, both sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano Wednesday passed the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. “As these key bills continue to move through our committee process, I am encouraged by the feedback from and focus on our college and […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 8, 2017

Democrats skeptical about President Trump‘s repeated claims of voter fraud in last November’s election are now challenging him to add voter suppression and disenfranchisement to his administration’s pending investigation. On Super Bowl Sunday, Trump told Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly that Vice President Mike Pence will be in charge of a commission to probe what he believes was voter fraud in the election, despite a […]

Headlines
Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater. Image via AP.

House panel approves new cause of action for abortion negligence

Francis Rooney talks water during Fort Myers stop

Francis Rooney says he’s not considering 2018 gubernatorial bid

Charlie Crist, three others join Climate Solutions Caucus

Jeff Atwater wins first round of $1 billion bonds fight with feds

Politics, food and fun: Florida State Fair kicks off

Robert J. Luck elevated to appeals court judge

Alan Abramowitz reappointed head of Guardians ad Litem

Senate advances Excellence in Higher Education legislation

Charlie Crist wants Trump administration to look into voter suppression, disenfranchisement