Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 24, 2018

Let the spirit(s) flow: A Senate panel OK’d a measure to raise the amount of booze a Florida craft distillery can produce per year and still be considered “craft.” The bill (SB 296) by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes bumps that cap from 75,000 gallons to 250,000 gallons—a more than 233 percent increase. The distinction […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 24, 2018

In addition to losing electricity from Hurricane Irma last fall, millions of Floridians went without cable television and garbage pickup for days and sometimes weeks, and yet still had to pay their bills in full. One Florida lawmaker would like to change that in the future. A bill sponsored by Palm Bay Republican Randy Fine (HB […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 24, 2018

The Florida commission tasked with investigating housing discrimination cases is in peril of losing some operational funding if it does not quickly handle its work backlog of more than 300 cases. Michelle Wilson, the executive director of the Florida Commission on Human Relations, said Tuesday the state entity is facing a “perfect storm,” which has […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 24, 2018

Sarah Bascom continues to cement her reputation for advising top legislative leaders. The veteran PR maven has quietly signed Sen. Bill Galvano and the Florida Republican Senatorial Committee as clients for her firm, Bascom Communications and Consulting. Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, will be named Senate President after Joe Negron, assuming Republicans hold their majority in the chamber. Bascom also represented Negron when […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJanuary 24, 2018

Florida lawmakers are looking to salvage a fiscally failed project known as “Bo’s Bridge” near Pensacola. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Tuesday approved a bill (HB 1281) that could allow the state to refinance and acquire the Garcon Point Bridge, which spans a portion of eastern Pensacola Bay and has been in default on […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 23, 2018

Florida lawmakers are moving closer to allowing “advanced birth centers,” facilities that offer prospective mothers at minimal risk of complications an alternative to expensive hospital visits. On Tuesday, the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved HB 1099, which lets Florida expand the use of ABCs – the freestanding, non-hospital facilities that supply a variety […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 23, 2018

Florida could soon be unified under one time zone. An amendment to a state bill (SB 585) that seeks year-round observance of daylight saving time, or ‘spring forward’ time, would ask Congress to authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow the entire state to observe Eastern Standard Time. In Florida, Central Standard Time observance begins at […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 23, 2018

Couples who want to get married in Florida could soon be required to read a state-crafted guide to a healthy marriage before they can get a marriage license under a proposal moving ahead in the House. The new requirement proposed under HB 1232, sponsored by state Rep. Clay Yarborough, is intended to give couples access […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

The House panel charged with handling gambling issues unanimously OK’d a bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation. The House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee cleared the measure (HB 223) with little debate on Tuesday. One representative, Republican Randy Fine of Brevard County, voted for the bill despite his belief that fantasy sports play was […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 23, 2018

Brightline, the high-speed passenger train now running between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, could have to spend about $349 million on safety improvements. That’s after lawmakers and others, upset over the railway’s dangers, leveraged recent train-related deaths to push for more safety measures. Republicans Sen. Debbie Mayfield of Melbourne and Rep. Erin Grall of Vero Beach […]

Influence

Craft distillers get early win in Senate

Pushback on proposal for rebates for no garbage pickup, phone service

Facing a housing discrimination case backlog, state commission warned of suspension

Bill Galvano taps Sarah Bascom for PR counsel as he ascends to Senate presidency

Lawmakers grapple with ‘Bo’s bridge’

House committee passes proposal for advanced birthing centers

Daylight saving time bill could change Panhandle time zone

House panel OKs new requirement for couples who want to wed

Fantasy sports bill moves along in House

Brightline could face nearly $350M safety improvement tab