Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 8, 2019

The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) announced a suite of priorities for the 2019 Legislative Session on Tuesday, with assignment of benefits, or AOB, reform topping the list. “With the holidays over and the inaugural imminent, we’re ready to work with our Governor and Cabinet and the Legislature to tackle important issues affecting Floridians,” […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 8, 2019

Screen-Shot-2019-01-02-at-1.09.42-PM.png

Joe Gruters wants to stop ethics complaints from being used as political cudgels. Now the Republican state senator from Sarasota is proposing a solution that could add a layer of secrecy to the process. His bill (SB 228) would prohibit the Florida Ethics Commission from making public ethics complaints made against a candidate within 60 […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2019

Rick Scott on Monday evening — just hours before his successor takes office — announced his final judicial appointments as Governor. They include naming his chief deputy general counsel to the 5th District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach. Meredith Sasso, 35, of Orlando, received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida, a […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJanuary 8, 2019

Floridians can expect a quick start to the Ron DeSantis administration, with the new governor ready to make key appointments to the state Supreme Court, announce a major environmental initiative and try to improve the medical-marijuana system. “Within the next week, I think you guys are going to have a lot to write about,” DeSantis […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 8, 2019

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the Florida House staffing merry-go-round. On: Alisa Bergmann is the new district secretary for Macclenny Republican Rep. Chuck Brannan. On: Stephanie Kreps is the new district secretary for St. Petersburg Republican Rep. Nick DiCeglie. Off: Kim Timm is no […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 7, 2019

Tree farmers and the state are saying parts of North Florida have an increased threat of wildfires in the wake of Hurricane Michael. John Alter, owner of a Jackson County tree-farming operation, told lawmakers on the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday that an excessive amount of fuel — fallen trees or branches — from the October storm […]

Michael MolineJanuary 7, 2019

The new chairman of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee identified his primary legislative target Monday as the “one-way” attorney fee system, which critics in the insurance and wider business community blame for escalating premiums. “If we deal with that, I think we’ll be dealing with the core issue that has been driving the rates […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 7, 2019

A bill filed by Sen. Lauren Book to create a tax exemption for purchases of diapers and incontinence products cleared its first hurdle Monday. It emerged from the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism with unanimous approval. Committee Chair Joe Gruters and Vice Chair Victor Torres were joined by members Linda Stewart, Travis Hutson and Tom Wright […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2019

In a unanimous vote, VISIT FLORIDA’s board of directors on Monday approved former state Sen. Dana Young as its next CEO. The appointment, recommended by Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, was met with praise by the board. Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said Young had a “100 percent voting record” […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 7, 2019

A bipartisan push is behind legislation that would allow for the expansion of Miami-Dade County’s needle exchange program throughout the rest of the state. The bill (HB 171) for the 2019 Legislative Session was filed Monday by state Reps. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat, and Rene “Coach P” Plasencia, an Orlando Republican. In 2016, the Infectious […]

Influence
Anna Maria Island home after Hurricane Milton.

PIFF outlines priorities for 2019 Legislative Session

Joe Gruters wants to de-weaponize complaints lodged against candidates

Rick Scott makes final judicial appointments

Ron DeSantis to move quickly on court, environment

Latest on the House legislative merry-go-round

Wildfires more of a threat after Hurricane Michael, lawmakers told

New Senate Insurance chairman sets sights on ‘one-way’ attorney fees

Senate panel clears bill to exempt diapers from sales tax

Dana Young approved as next VISIT FLORIDA CEO

Bill would allow needle exchanges outside Miami-Dade