Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran won’t give an over-under for chances of success for comprehensive gambling legislation this Session. When asked at a Tuesday press conference, the Land O’ Lakes Republican said: “It’s somewhere between 1 percent and 99 percent certainty.” The House has long been averse to proposals that could be seen as expanding gambling. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 23, 2018

Florida police may finally be able to pull over and ticket drivers caught texting while driving—without first seeing another infraction—under a bill advanced by a Senate committee Tuesday. But first, several black lawmakers registered concerns over how the bill could lead to potential police abuses. Sponsored by Gainesville Republican Keith Perry, the bill (SB 90) […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2018

Facing rising costs of childbirth in the United States, a pair of Florida lawmakers are offering expectant mothers at minimal risk of labor complications an alternative to expensive hospital visits. On Tuesday, the House Health Care Appropriations Committee will consider HB 1099, which opens the door for advanced birthing centers (ABCs) — free-standing, non-hospital facilities […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2018

Sarasota Sen. Greg Steube and Fort Myers Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, both Republicans, are sponsoring bills this year that aim to put franchisees on a level playing field with their franchisor. “Florida’s hard-working franchise owners typically invest more than $375,000 of their own personal savings in order to pursue their dream of owning a small business, […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2018

A Senate bill that would allow police to pull over motorists they see texting while driving has already cleared two committee stops, and on Tuesday a coalition of law enforcement, business, local governments and individuals is urging its final committee stop to approve give it the final stamp of approval before its ready for the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 22, 2018

A contentious bill that would expand the state’s school voucher system to allow children who are bullied to use tax dollars to pay private school tuition was approved by a Senate committee Monday. Senate President-designate Bill Galvano’s bill (SB 1172) would establish the Hope Scholarship Program to provide the parent of a public school student subjected […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 22, 2018

Regulations seeking to curb the state’s opioid crisis are moving swiftly through the Legislature, but some medical professionals worry the legislation will financially — and potentially physically — harm patients diagnosed with acute pain. HB 21, sponsored by Bradenton Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, would limit opioid prescriptions in Florida to a three-day supply or a […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

On Friday, the Rick Scott administration published new proposed backup-power rules for Florida’s assisted living facilities. It is a move that could mean an end to the legal struggle between the governor’s office and providers, with Scott backing off the controversial mandate that long-term care facilities install generators to provide continuous power in the case […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 22, 2018

A 135-year-old law that makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to defame a woman for being unchaste would be repealed under a bill that cleared its first of three Senate committee stops on Monday. “In our modern society these penalties are too severe for an issue that has mostly been handled among two private citizens in […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 22, 2018

Lawmakers want to put an end to “modern day slavery” by creating a Florida human trafficking hotline under two identical proposals that have yet to gain momentum in the state Legislature. Those advocating for the measures, HB 159 and SB 596, urged lawmakers on Monday to back the proposals and give them hearings in their […]

Influence
Dozens of vehicles were torched in a fire at a Jacksonville International Airport fire in a garage May 16. Image via Jacksonivlle Aviation Authority.

Richard Corcoran: No predictions on gambling legislation this year

Senate advances tougher texting-while-driving penalties

House to consider advanced birthing centers, alternative to pricey hospital childbirth

Greg Steube, Heather Fitzenhagen push bills to help franchise owners

Coalition calls on final committee to advance texting while driving ban

Legislation: Bullied kids could transfer to private school

Surgeon: Opioid regulations could harm patients

Assisted living facilities pleased by Rick Scott’s new proposal on backup power sources

Senate committee OKs repeal of ‘archaic’ chastity defamation law

Bills that would create state trafficking hotline have yet to gain momentum