Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan NicolJanuary 9, 2019

Septic tanks are one of the primary triggers for toxic algae blooms throughout the state, the Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee was told Wednesday. A presentation was given by Dr. Brian Lapointe, who has worked as a research professor at Florida Atlantic University and has studied water quality in the state for decades. […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 9, 2019

New laws have allowed hundreds of soldiers and veterans to maintain their professional licenses in Florida even as deployments sent them overseas, according to state officials. G.W. Harrell, executive director of the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation, told state representatives Wednesday that changes put in place in 2017 have allowed more military personnel […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 9, 2019

Closing loopholes in Florida’s conflict of interest rules and leveling the playing field on legal costs in ethics cases rose up as top priorities for the Florida Commission on Ethics this year. Kerrie Stillman presented the Ethics Commission’s legislation priorities to the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, where she outlined concerns about how local […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 9, 2019

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the Florida Senate staffing merry-go-round. Off: Tim Sadberry is no longer staff director for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice. On: Trent Phillips joined the Senate Majority Office as a legislative assistant. On: Johnny Brown is the new legislative assistant […]

Michael MolineJanuary 8, 2019

A top state economist advised the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday to take a more expansive approach to economic development than continuing to rely largely on low-wage tourism and recruiting out-of-state businesses to move here. “This is essentially a grassroots or bottom-up theory of economic development,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the state Office of […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 8, 2019

A bill that would prevent local governments from banning vegetable gardens on residential properties is beginning to take root in the Legislature. The Senate Community Affairs Committee unanimously backed the measure (SB 82) on Tuesday. For most of the lawmakers on the panel, it wasn’t their first go around with the bill. A similar bill […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 8, 2019

The director of the newly created Office of Safe Schools highlighted calls for increased fencing, single points of entry and improved security systems at a Tuesday meeting of the Senate Education Committee. Damien Kelly was on hand to brief lawmakers on the implementation of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026), signed into law […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2019

Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ office on Tuesday said the new governor “will make an important announcement regarding the Florida Supreme Court.” The announcement is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Freedom Tower in Miami. DeSantis has three seats to fill; Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy A. Quince all faced mandatory age-related retirement Tuesday. The next justices will […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 8, 2019

Supporters of newly sworn-in Gov. Ron DeSantis heralded the bold vision outlined Tuesday in his inaugural address. “Gov. DeSantis made it abundantly clear he has an ambitious agenda in areas very important to Floridians while acknowledging at the same time it builds on the success of Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature,” said lobbyist […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 8, 2019

A possible economic contraction and anticipated needs for new money could result in lawmakers acting more conservatively as they forge the state’s nearly $90 billion spending plan. Chief legislative economist Amy Baker gave a bittersweet update to state House budget committee members on Tuesday. Florida’s economic indicators are healthy, with some even better than pre-recession levels, […]

Influence
Anna Maria Island home after Hurricane Milton.

Senate panel briefed on septic tanks’ contribution to algae outbreak

New laws allow military, families to keep Florida professional licenses

Ethics Commission wants loopholes closed, disclosures increased

Latest on the Senate legislative merry-go-round

Commerce committee urged to free its mind about economic development

A veggie tale: Personal garden bill clears first hurdle

Office of Safe Schools chief gives update on Florida school security issues

Ron DeSantis set to make first state Supreme Court pick

Supporters celebrate Ron DeSantis ‘ambitious agenda’ in inaugural address

Don’t expect a legislative spending spree, House budget chief says