Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 16, 2018

“Recovering a toddler’s body from the river, pulling bodies from a car that ended up in a canal and carrying a decapitated teen’s body across the sand who was the victim of a shark attack would certainly take a toll on anyone,” Leslie Dangerfield said behind teary eyes. She was describing the atrocities her husband, […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 16, 2018

Two measures that would preempt local regulations on vacation rentals featured on sites like Airbnb are facing backlash from the bed and breakfast industry which claims short-term rentals are a “serious risk” to tourists. “We urge our lawmakers not to put Florida’s world-class lodging reputation at risk for illegal commercial operators,” said Carol Dover, the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 16, 2018

A Senate committee approved a resolution calling Congress to keep in place a moratorium against oil drilling in the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico. The military uses the area in question for air and sea training. Tuesday’s vote by the Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation comes a week after the Donald Trump administration […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

A final report of 78 recommendations, ranging from nursing home safety to evacuation route improvements, and shelter planning to longterm development concerns, won unanimous approval Tuesday from the Florida House’s Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness. The 21-member committee, appointed last fall by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, now presents the 2018 Legislative Session with […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 16, 2018

What a birthday president for Jose Felix Diaz, the former state representative who last year lost a high-profile special election for the Florida Senate. Diaz, who turns 38 Tuesday, is joining Ballard Partners, the governmental affairs firm led by Brian Ballard. A well-respected name in Miami-Dade County, Diaz most recently served seven years representing Districts […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 16, 2018

Conservative group Americans for Prosperity-Florida released its priority list for the 2018 Legislative Session, giving favorable marks to legislation that would cut “corporate welfare” and regulations and voicing strong opposition to proposals that would add new regulations or incentives silos. “We believe that Florida lawmakers have an unprecedented opportunity to push through policy objectives that […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 16, 2018

Today, the Senate Health Policy Committee will take up Senate Bill 8, from Fort Myers Republican Lizbeth Benacquisto, which seeks to give medical professionals further training in ways to stem Florida’s worsening opioid crisis. The American Board of Medical Specialties, the leading not-for-profit organization overseeing physician certification in the U.S., is applauding the measure. In […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 15, 2018

First responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits even if they don’t have physical injuries under proposed legislation that will be considered Tuesday by a Senate panel. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, the head of the state agency that ensures businesses have workers’ compensation coverage for employees, said his […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 15, 2018

A Senate panel on Tuesday will consider two measures that would provide more oversight to the state’s juvenile justice system, which is under scrutiny for its widespread use of unnecessary and excessive force on youth detainees. Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Pinellas County Republican who chairs a powerful criminal justice committee, is sponsoring both bills and […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

Top Republican lawmakers posted big fundraising reports for their political committees in December, with future Senate President Wilton Simpson leading the pack at $427,000 raised last month. Simpson’s committee, Jobs for Florida, took in 31 contributions from Dec. 1 through New Year’s Eve and a pair of committees chaired by Ryan Tyson – Floridians for […]

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Image via AP.

With emotion, legislators and relatives of late firefighters push PTSD bill

Lawmakers want to toss ‘patchwork’ of local vacation rental regulations

Senate committee advances moratorium on oil drilling in part of eastern Gulf

House select committee on hurricanes approves final report, 78 recommendations

Personnel note: Jose Felix Diaz joins Ballard Partners

Americans for Prosperity-Florida releases priority list for 2018 Legislative Session

ABMS urges Senate committee to pass bill fighting Florida opioid crisis

Jimmy Patronis backs expanding PTSD benefits for first responders

Senate panel to consider juvenile ‘Fight Club’ reforms

Top Republican lawmakers added major cash in December