Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

A roundtable of state economists Tuesday decided to take a pass on adopting a forecast for Indian gambling dollars that flow to the state. The Seminole Tribe of Florida pays over $200 million a year into state coffers as part of a deal that guarantees it exclusivity to offer certain games, especially blackjack. And even […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 9, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran kicked off the 2018 Session vowing to challenge the status quo by bringing a deluge of reforms and not allowing Florida to “become a sanctuary state like California.” “When I look around this room, I see a chamber filled with reformers,” Corcoran said. “I don’t say that to flatter you, I […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 9, 2018

Before talking about his legislative priorities on Opening Day of Session, Senate President Joe Negron addressed the elephant in the room: sexual harassment. “I would like to begin today by addressing a very important issue that addressed not only the Florida Senate, but also our counterparts in Congress, the entertainment industry, employers large and small […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2018

Problems with your marriage? Is it unhealthy? The Florida Legislature is willing to help future couples avoid such troubles as they traipse into connubial bliss. Days after Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel filed SB 1580, a bill that would lead to a “guide to a healthy marriage,” a guide that would contain resources addressing “conflict management, communication […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 9, 2018

[Updated 9:30 a.m. with statement from Flores and Braynon.] Apparently exposing new depths of Florida political espionage, an anonymous internet website appeared Tuesday morning claiming to show secretly-taped videos and secretly-shot photographs supporting allegations of a rendezvous between Republican state Sen. Anitere Flores and Democratic state Sen. Oscar Braynon II. The pair of Miami-Dade lawmakers issued a […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

It’s not uncommon for the House floor to look like a veritable florist’s shop on the first day of a legislative session. But now, Speaker Richard Corcoran is telling members to cool it on displays of blooms and topiary. The 2018 Legislative Session begins next Tuesday. “Only reasonably-sized floral arrangements and live plants will be […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 8, 2018

Rep. Jay Fant, a Jacksonville Republican running for Attorney General, filed the latest in a series of base-pleasing bills Monday for the 2018 Legislative Session. Fant’s HB 1359 (the “Soldiers’ and Heroes’ Monuments and Memorials Protection Act”) contends that any wartime monument erected after 1822 on public property may only be moved for its repair or the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2018

A Democratic state Senator from South Florida has filed legislation expressly allowing dog trainers to give anabolic steroids to racing greyhounds. The bill (SB 1774), filed Friday afternoon by Kevin Rader of Delray Beach, is for the 2018 Legislative Session that begins Tuesday. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 12 tracks. The measure […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 8, 2018

Session begins Tuesday, PAC chairs and Tallahassee uber-lobbyists, so get your checkbooks ready for last-minute fundraisers for legislators and candidates scheduled before the gavel drops. __ On Monday, state Sen. Annette Taddeo will be fundraising at the Governors Club, Library Room beginning 11:30 a.m. Taddeo is seeking her second term in Senate District 40. The […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 8, 2018

The tradition continues. Associated Industries of Florida will host its annual pre-session welcome back reception for legislators, lobbyists and a host of other politicos this evening. Doors open for the ticketed event at 5:30 p.m. “AIF is excited for our annual legislative reception this evening that we’ve been hosting for more than four decades,” AIF President […]

Influence

All in—or out? Gambling revenue puzzles state economists

Richard Corcoran calls on ‘House of Reformers’ to ban sanctuary cities

Joe Negron opens 2018 Session by addressing sexual harassment

As scandal grips Legislature, ‘Guide to a Healthy Marriage’ bill filed in both Houses

After anonymous site outs them as couple, Sens. Oscar Braynon, Anitere Flores admit to affair

Richard Corcoran: ‘Reasonably-sized’ flowers only, please

Jay Fant files bill to protect Confederate monuments from removal, desecration

Kevin Rader files bill to legalize steroids in racing dogs

Get your checkbooks ready for this week’s legislative fundraisers

Associated Industries of Florida soirée kicks off 2018 Legislative Session