Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 15, 2017

A litany of lawsuits continues to jam up the state’s medical marijuana licensure process, the state’s top marijuana official told House lawmakers Wednesday. Christian Bax, executive director of the state Health Department’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, gave the House Health Quality Subcommittee an overview of his work, including the latest tally of legal challenges. “(Our) position […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 14, 2017

There is a bipartisan effort in the Legislature to prevent the sweeping of the state’s affordable housing trust fund, but Gov. Rick Scott‘s newly unveiled proposed budget suggests doing the opposite. Scott released his recommended budget on Tuesday in Jacksonville, suggesting a $91.8 million sweep to Florida’s affordable housing trust. Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, Naples Republican Sen. Kathleen […]

Ana CeballosNovember 14, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott wants to give $100 million to housing and workforce programs that will aid those impacted by Hurricane Irma — the largest storm to hit the state in decades –, under his proposed state budget for 2018-19. “Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida and affected communities statewide,” Scott said. “Due to the impact […]

Mitch PerryNovember 14, 2017

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So how fast is the expansion of autonomous vehicle use in the U.S.? There are about 2,000 already out, said Reilly Brennan, the former executive director for Stanford’s automotive research program, and a founding partner at Trucks, a venture capital fund for entrepreneurs involved with changing the future of technology. Brennan said AV presence will dramatically increase […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2017

A ‘clean’ workers’ compensation bill is headed to the House floor after the Commerce Committee rejected a series of amendments pitched as worker-friendly Tuesday. The bill (PCB COM 18-01) cleared the panel on a vote of 18-8. It closely follows legislation the full House approved during the spring Legislative Session, in that it encourages injured […]

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2017

Top Republicans in the House and Senate brought in saw huge committee fundraising gains in October, with Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson leading the pack with $645,000 raised. Simpson, a Trilby Republican, is likely to take over as Senate President for 2021-22, brought in 75 contributions through Jobs for Florida, including nine contributions of $25,000 […]

Scott PowersNovember 14, 2017

A bill that would set tougher rules and safety requirements on the All Aboard Florida Brightline passenger rail train being developed along the East Coast got approval from the Florida Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday. Yet members of that committee sounded as if they’ll be ready to derail the bill later, if they eventually conclude it’s […]

Jim RosicaNovember 14, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott built gambling money from the Seminole Tribe of Florida into his proposed $85 billion state budget for 2018-19. The Tribe and the state this summer settled a lawsuit over its ability to exclusively offer “banked card games” such as blackjack. Since then, “the payments associated with banked card games that the state has held […]

Ana CeballosNovember 14, 2017

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Javier Fernandez, a 42-year-old South Miami attorney, filed his candidacy on Tuesday to represent House District 114, and replace Daisy Baez. Baez resigned from the Legislature this month after a House investigation into and even criminal case over her residency. “I’m excited for this opportunity to bring much-needed change to Tallahassee, where priorities have become […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2017

House assignment of benefits (AOB) legislation cleared its sole committee Tuesday and appears headed to the floor, despite reservations about its limits on attorney fees and lack of language directly sanctioning insurance fraud. Judiciary Committee members also expressed skepticism about insurers pressing policyholders to accept their preferred vendors before approving the bill (PCB JDC 18-01) […]

Influence

Legal challenges bog down medical cannabis process

Legislation preventing housing sweeps undermined by Rick Scott’s budget

Rick Scott proposes $100 million for Hurricane Irma aid programs

Transit expert predicts 180,000 autonomous vehicles on U.S. roads by 2019

House pressing on with workers’ comp reform

Top Republican lawmakers scored big in October fundraising reports

Bill to tighten All Aboard Florida rules gets approval – but so does train

Blackjack cash bolsters state budget

Javier Fernandez files for Daisy Baez’s House seat

House AOB package clears committee despite some qualms