Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee approved a landmark bill on “Creating the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct.” SB 1628, sponsored by Plantation Democrat Lauren Book, mandates that the task force meets every four years. It bars legislators, candidates, agency employees, and lobbyists from sexually harassing anyone, and […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 30, 2018

Penalties for welfare recipients who don’t “get with the program” would increase under a bill that cleared a House panel Tuesday. The measure (HB 751), filed by Cape Coral Republican Dane Eagle, was approved by the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee on a 12-1 vote, with only Rep. Shevrin Jones opposed. This is the third year the […]

Scott PowersJanuary 30, 2018

In a battle over how far to roll back local control and regulation of vacation rental homes, state Sen. Greg Steube won a key victory Tuesday. The Senate Committee on Community Affairs approved the Sarasota Republican’s bill, advancing a comprehensive preemption of local laws regulating services provided by companies like Airbnb. That ended a legislative […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 30, 2018

A House panel on Tuesday pushed forward a redraft of a workers’ compensation bill that would extend benefits to first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder if they are diagnosed within two years of the work-related injury. The overhaul of the House proposal was approved at its first committee stop, with no questions or debate, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 30, 2018

A key committee Tuesday moved along this year’s House gambling bill, but the fractures on the committee echoed those among the state’s gambling interests. The Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee OK’d the measure (PCB TGC 18-01) on a 9-6 vote, with Rockledge Republican Tom Goodson joining the panel’s five Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Committee chair Mike La Rosa said […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2018

Legislation aimed at reducing the divorce rate by having couples read a marriage guide before their nuptials is making its way through the Legislature — though at least one Democrat has raised concerns about conservative ideology tainting the document. The “Healthy Marriage Guide” (HB 1323) is sponsored in the House by Republicans Clay Yarborough of Jacksonville […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 30, 2018

Veteran Washington staffer Kyle Glenn is returning to U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross‘ office to serve as Chief of Staff. Ross, the Lakeland Republican who serves as Senior Deputy Majority Whip, announced the hire in a statement Tuesday. Glenn was previously Ross’ deputy Chief of Staff and will transition into the new job over the next […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

On Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee will be the first Senate panel to mull the sanctuary cities ban bill (HB 9) that passed the House already. And one of the House co-sponsors of that measure — Jacksonville Republican Jay Fant, a candidate for Attorney General — sent an email to supporters last night, urging them […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2018

Legislation that would provide transparency and accountability provisions for publicly-funded economic development agencies and tourism promotion agencies advanced in a Florida Senate committee Monday afternoon, thanks to an amendment added to the bill (SB 1714) by the sponsor, Gainesville Republican Keith Perry. The transparency bill would would require local tourism agencies that receive more than $30 million […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 29, 2018

A House bill that would do away with the limit on the number of trauma centers in Florida unanimously cleared its first committee Monday. The bill (HB 1165), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Jay Trumbull of Panama City, was OK’d on a 15-0 vote in the Health Quality Subcommittee. The statewide total of trauma centers is […]

Influence
gun silencer. Image via AP.

Backed by Pam Bondi, Lauren Book’s sexual harassment bill clears Senate panel

Penalties would increase for welfare recipients under House bill

Senate committee forwards bill preempting local control of vacation rentals

House redrafts PTSD legislation to include educational component

House panel clears gambling bill—with winners and losers

Ideological dispute erupts as ‘Healthy Marriage Guide’ passes House committee

Personnel note: Veteran staffer Kyle Glenn named Dennis Ross chief of staff

Jay Fant presses Senate on sanctuary cities legislation ahead of bill’s first committee hearing

Accountability measure advances in Senate

Trauma center legislation begins its annual trek