Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 4, 2018

Saying it will “make it impossible to bring sports betting to Florida,” FanDuel is telling Florida voters to vote down a proposed ‘voter control of gambling’ constitutional amendment. The amendment’s main backer, however, says the national fantasy sports website has got it all wrong. It won’t be impossible, he said: It’ll just require a vote. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 4, 2018

The Florida Conservation Voters Action Fund said Wednesday that it’s putting $250,000 behind a digital ad campaign supporting the Democrats challenging Gainesville Sen. Keith Perry and St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes in the fall. The ad supporting Gainesville Democrat Kayser Enneking’s campaign in Senate District 8 hits Perry for his “disastrous ‘toilet to tap’ bill.” […]

Peter SchorschOctober 3, 2018

Nigeria’s People’s Democratic Party signed a $1.1 million per year contract with the Washington D.C. branch of Ballard Partners last month, adding to the Tallahassee-based lobbying group’s expansive roster of foreign clients since it expanded to the nation’s capital. The contract, worth $90,000 a month, went into effect on Sept. 21. The deal will see […]

Staff ReportsOctober 3, 2018

State lawmakers will head back to Tallahassee in early December for preliminary meetings for the 2019 Legislative Session. Memos released Wednesday outlined the committee week schedule, starting with Organization Session the week of Thanksgiving, on Nov. 20. Among other things, that’s when Senate President Joe Negron will pass the gavel to Senate President-designate Bill Galvano, […]

Staff ReportsOctober 3, 2018

State Sen. Dorothy Hukill died on Tuesday, less than a week after announcing on Facebook that she “recently experienced an aggressive recurrence” of her cancer and decided to enter hospice. She was 72. In November 2016, the Port Orange Republican disclosed that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She missed the 2017 Legislative Session while […]

Peter SchorschOctober 2, 2018

The Legis Group, a lobbying concern founded by former Republican House members Rob Schenck and Doug Holder, announced late Monday that Mike Fischer is joining the firm in its Tallahassee office. Fischer has 15 years of experience lobbying the legislative and executive branches in Florida. Prior to joining The Legis Group, he was the owner […]

Staff ReportsOctober 2, 2018

In a new report for backers of a proposed constitutional amendment on greyhound racing, economist and financial advisor Hank Fishkind says “claims that Amendment 13 would cause economic harm are incorrect and not supportable.” Carey Thiel asked Fishkind, a former University of Florida economics professor, to “review claims of economic damage” by the amendment from […]

Jim RosicaOctober 1, 2018

An administrative law judge on Monday largely gutted the state’s proposed rule governing the drug testing of racing greyhounds. In a 44-page “final order,” Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early struck down specific provisions of the state regulation on how greyhounds are chosen for testing on race days, and how samples are stored and at […]

Staff ReportsOctober 1, 2018

A new law goes into effect Monday to allow beer distributors to give away for free glasses printed with product names and logos—known as “branded glassware”—to bars and restaurants. Under previous law, glasses had to be sold. A version of the measure (HB 961) had been filed unsuccessfully last year, with this year’s finding traction […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2018

State Sen. Dorothy Hukill on Friday announced on Facebook that she “recently experienced an aggressive recurrence” of cancer and has decided to enter hospice. “I received treatment for cancer in 2016,” the Port Orange Republican wrote. “Thanks to the well wishes and prayers from so many of you, and the excellent care from my medical team, the […]

Influence
U.S. Rep. Cory Mills delivering Starlink systems to Florida Highway Patrol. Image via Mills.

‘Vote no’: FanDuel comes out in opposition to gambling amendment

Environmental group launches ad buy supporting Kayser Enneking, Lindsay Cross

Nigerian political party retains Ballard Partners

Legislative leaders announce 2018-19 committee week schedule

Florida politicians react to the passing of Dorothy Hukill

Personnel note: Mike Fischer joins The Legis Group

Economist: Amendment 13 criticisms ‘incorrect, not supportable’

Judge’s ruling eviscerates state’s greyhound drug-testing system

Bottoms up: Beer glass bill goes into effect Monday

Dorothy Hukill says cancer has returned, entering hospice