Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeNovember 8, 2017

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University points to aging septic tanks as a leading cause of pollution in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary. On Wednesday, the Florida Chamber of Commerce released the fifth installment of a water education series, touting the new study. Dr. Brian Lapointe, a professor with the FAU Harbor Branch […]

Peter SchorschNovember 8, 2017

Self-described “conservative” cattle rancher and agribusiness woman Josie Tomkow filed her paperwork Tuesday in the special election expected to take place following the presumed exit of state Rep. Neil Combee, who was appointed to a position at the USDA last week. Tomkow is a third-generation cattle rancher and has been involved in Florida’s beef industry since birth, according […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Two Democratic lawmakers filed proposals this week that seek to expand a pilot needle-exchange program approved in 2016 for Miami-Dade County. After four unsuccessful tries, the Legislature finally passed a bill to create needle exchange program in Florida during the 2016 Legislative Session. Modest in scope, the bill was limited to only in Miami-Dade County. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 8, 2017

In an acutely personal attack, the head of a nursing-home advocacy group slammed a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a “nursing home and assisted living facility residents’ bill of rights.” The Florida Health Care Association’s Emmett Reed, this week called the amendment, filed by Constitution Revision Commissioner Brecht Heuchan, “glaringly bad.” Reed’s organization advocates […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Legislation that forces local governments to hold sales tax referendum only on the date of a primary or general election was approved by a House committee in Tallahassee. Sponsored by Spring Hill Republican Blaise Ingoglia, the bill (HB 317) is similar to other proposals to come before the Legislature in recent years but failed to […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2017

On Monday, Audrey Gibson won a narrow 8-7 vote of Senate Democrats to become Senate Democratic Leader-Designate for the 2018-2020 legislative sessions. Gibson will succeed current leader Oscar Braynon II when his term ends next November. Now, the question: what will Gibson’s victory mean for the Senate, and for her home region? Questions were raised by some observers […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 7, 2017

After hearing support from Gov. Rick Scott, the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday cleared a measure that would amend Florida’s constitution to require a legislative supermajority in each chamber to create or increase a tax or fee. The proposed language defines a supermajority as two-thirds of membership and would require 60 percent voter […]

Mitch PerryNovember 7, 2017

Legislation creating a slavery memorial on the grounds of Florida’s Capitol easily advanced in a House committee Tuesday. The monument would “honor the nameless and forgotten men and women and children who have gone unrecognized, for their weighty contributions to our great states and United States,” Miami-Dade Democratic Rep. Kionne McGhee told the House Government Accountability Committee. McGhee […]

Ana CeballosNovember 7, 2017

A proposal that would give firearm dealers the option to use credit cards when paying for potential buyers’ background checks advanced a Senate committee on Tuesday. Gun advocates praised the bill and said the move would “bring us into the modern age.” “This is something that can be done quickly, inexpensively and it just makes […]

Michael MolineNovember 7, 2017

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Legislation to repeal Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system handily cleared the House Commerce Committee Tuesday — the only committee slated to consider the measure. The vote was 17-8, and support for the measure was bipartisan — even though some members confessed to qualms about overturning an insurance system that has prevailed since 1971. “I know […]

Influence

Chamber-promoted study links algal blooms to septic tanks

Josie Tomkow files to replace Neil Combee in House District 39

Lawmakers seek expansion of needle-exchange program

Nursing home group denounces proposed residents’ ‘bill of rights’

Bill limiting local tax referendums passes House committee

Audrey Gibson on the path forward for Senate Dems: ‘Watch us work!”

With Rick Scott’s blessing, tax supermajority clears committee

Slavery memorial bill advances easily in House committee

Bill that would bring gun dealers into ‘modern age’ advances

House PIP repeal legislation clears its only committee