Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosJanuary 18, 2018

Two years after a state law established a sterile needle and syringe exchange pilot program in Miami-Dade County, lawmakers are trying to expand the single-county program to other parts of the state. In an effort to abate a growing opioid epidemic, state Rep. Shevrin Jones said his bill would act a “liaison” to myriad of […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 18, 2018

Florida would have the strictest lobbying ban in the nation under a proposed constitutional amendment that House Speaker Richard Corcoran is pushing Constitutional Revision Commission appointees to support. Corcoran, who prides himself in running a “House of Reformers,” is seeking to close the revolving door between lobbyists and legislators by implementing a six-year lobbying ban […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 17, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a supporter of the Trump administration’s immigration crack down, wants federal prosecutors to “immediately” investigate two Democrat elected officials in Florida for supporting so-called sanctuary cities. “Unfortunately, my state of Florida has two elected mayors — one in Tallahassee and another in St. Petersburg — who’ve publicly stated and continues to […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 17, 2018

A House panel on Wednesday adopted a “strike-all” amendment to a bill that would change regulatory requirements governing the payday-lending industry, which consumer advocates criticize for creating “debt traps” for poor Floridians. The proposal would comply with new federal rules set last year by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last year meant to ensure lenders […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

The Senate on Wednesday began moving its omnibus gambling bill for 2018 without addressing one looming issue sure to cause headaches: Sports betting. And there’s a reason it’s not in this year’s legislation (SB 840), according to Sen. Travis Hutson, chair of the Regulated Industries Committee: To avoid a meltdown with the Seminole Tribe of […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 17, 2018

RSA Consulting Group is expanding its scope in both the Tampa Bay region and Florida with the addition of up and coming lobbyist Kaitlyn Bailey. Bailey becomes the firm’s newest associate for Government & Community Affairs. As one of the region’s leading full-service consulting firms, with offices in Tampa and Tallahassee, RSA specializes in government, legislative […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

A bill to ban all uses of steroids in racing dogs has cleared a key Senate panel. The Regulated Industries Committee, which generally gets first crack at gambling-related bills, OK’d the measure (SB 674) 7-2 on Wednesday. State regulations now allow use only of a “low-dose, non-performance enhancing” form of testosterone in greyhounds, and only as […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 17, 2018

The Electoral College — which in the past two decades has carried to victory U.S. Presidents Donald Trump (2016) and George W. Bush (2000) despite each losing the national popular vote — is being targeted by state legislators across the country, including some in Florida. Rep. Joseph Geller, an Aventura Democrat, and Sen. Victor Torres, an […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 17, 2018

Tampa Democrat Sean Shaw’s first bill (HB 507) to go before a committee since he declared his candidacy for Attorney General was not well-received Wednesday. Shaw unveiled a proposal to provide an exemption from public records requirements for business email addresses of current justice and judges in Florida. Appearing before the House Civil Justice and Claims […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 17, 2018

The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Cabinet members wouldn’t be able to accept political contributions while the Legislature is in session under a bill moving through the House. Lawmakers are already barred from fundraising while in session, but the bill (HB 707) would place a similar prohibition on the statewide officials during regular, special or extended […]

Influence
Image via AP.

Lawmakers want to expand University of Miami needle exchange program

Richard Corcoran pushes constitutional panel to support 6-year lobbying ban

Richard Corcoran to DHS: ‘Immediately’ investigate Andrew Gillum, Rick Kriseman

Payday lending bill moves ahead in House

The big thing that’s not in the Senate’s gambling bill

Personnel note: RSA Consulting Group adds up-and-coming lobbyist Kaitlyn Bailey

Greyhound steroids ban moves in Senate

Lawmakers want to change presidential voting system

Bill to remove public email addresses for judges stalls in House committee

Governor, Cabinet could be banned from fundraising during Session