Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2019

A bill filed in the Senate to protect residential vegetable gardens from local bans now has a House companion. The legislation (HB 145), filed by first-term House Republican Elizabeth Fetterhoff of Deland, would eliminate as “void and unenforceable” local jurisdiction over front-yard gardens. The goal: Facilitating “the development of sustainable cultivation of vegetables and fruits at all […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 2, 2019

Could cigarette butts become a thing of the past on Florida beaches? A bill filed by state Sen. Joe Gruters would outlaw smoking on all Florida beaches. But the ACLU already has voiced concerns about how the law will be enforced. The legislation (SB 218) would penalize smokers with a $25 fine and up to 10 […]

Scott PowersJanuary 2, 2019

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma will chair the Transition Advisory Committee Working Group on Opioid Abuse for Florida Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody. Lemma will work closely with Moody and others to gather information on best practices to stop the influx of opioids, raise awareness, and reduce the death toll of the crisis that claims 14 […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 2, 2019

State Reps. Bryan Avila and Josie Tomkow have joined more than 60 other incumbent members of the Florida House in taking the first steps toward re-election in 2020. Avila, a Hialeah Republican, has opened his campaign account. He’s running for his fourth and final term representing House District 111, which covers a portion of inland […]

Ryan NicolJanuary 2, 2019

The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee is scheduled to take up a bill proposed by state Sen. Lauren Book (SB 60) that would exempt diapers and incontinence products from the state’s 6 percent sales tax. “For some families, this is just another piece of their monthly budget,” Book said in a statement to Florida Politics upon […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 2, 2019

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Ellen Fournier is no longer chief legislative analyst for the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax. On: In the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Cindy Kynoch is staff director. Jamie DeLoach and Ross McSwain are deputy staff directors. McSwain worked previously as staff […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2019

Sen. Lauren Book wants people to tell her and other lawmakers “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” The Plantation Democrat filed a bill (SB 58), called the “Truth in Government Act,” for the 2019 Legislative Session that would require people at legislative panels to be sworn in before speaking. The bill […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 1, 2019

Three bills that passed the 2018 Legislative Session and were signed by Gov. Rick Scott will take effect on the first day of the new year. Summaries below have been adapted from various staff analyses: — HB 85, on “Voter Registration List Maintenance.” The bill allows the Department of State to become a member of a nongovernmental […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2018

Screen-Shot-2017-01-26-at-1.25.54-PM.png

State regulators are appealing an administrative law judge’s ruling that could allow retailers to sell hard liquor in their main stores, instead of in separate stores as they do now. The Department of Business Professional Regulation (DBPR), which oversees booze sales through its Division of Alcoholic Beverages And Tobacco (ABT), on Friday filed a notice of appeal to […]

Jacob OglesDecember 28, 2018

Rep. Randy Fine made clear his first priority for the 2019 Legislative Session: Cleaning up the polluted Indian River Lagoon. Fine, a Palm Bay Republican, filed new legislation (HB 141) to budget $50 million in annual state matching funds for cleanup projects in the water body, which the Audubon Society says faces an “ecological crisis.” […]

Influence
Anna Maria Island home after Hurricane Milton.

Senate bill to protect vegetable gardens gets House companion

Joe Gruters wants to ban smoking on state’s beaches

Dennis Lemma to head Ashley Moody’s opioids advisory panel

Bryan Avila, Josie Tomkow file for 2020 re-election

Senate panel to consider tax break for diapers

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Lauren Book proposes ‘swearing in’ legislative speakers

Tick tock: Laws that go into effect on Jan. 1

State appealing ‘liquor wall’ decision

Randy Fine seeks $50M to help Indian River Lagoon