Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 9, 2017

We’re just going to rip this line right from Thursday’s press release: “To get a head start on the next round of reapportionment in 2021, Florida House Democrats have formed a Working Group on Redistricting that will allow them to be fully prepared to present the citizens of our state with the fair maps they […]

Ana CeballosNovember 9, 2017

A rules complaint was filed Wednesday against Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who is under investigation by the Senate after six unnamed women accused him of sexually harassing and groping them. Because the complaint is initially confidential, the details about what it pertains are unclear. Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, who chairs the Rules Committee […]

Peter SchorschNovember 8, 2017

House District 39 Rep. Neil Combee has set the date: He will officially leave the Florida House for his new job as the Florida’s State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency on Nov. 24. Combee announced the decision in a Wednesday letter House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and called the five years […]

Ana CeballosNovember 8, 2017

Rep. Ross Spano wants the state to create a trust fund for human trafficking victims, which would be financed by half of the punitive damages traffickers are ordered to pay in court cases. Money from the trust fund would then go to pay for human trafficking prevention programs, medical and mental health examinations and treatments […]

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 […]

Influence
State Rep. Angie Nixon (center) leads a protest against immigration policies Saturday outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Image via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics.

Talk about working ahead: Dems readying for 2021 redistricting

Complaint filed with Senate Rules Committee against Jack Latvala

Neil Combee praises Richard Corcoran, others in resignation letter

Lawmakers clash over financing for trafficking victims

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!”