Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 27, 2017

A House bill aimed at shaking up the state’s Agency for State Technology was vetoed Friday by Gov. Rick Scott. Sources earlier had told Florida Politics the measure (HB 5301), backed by state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, could fall under the Governor’s veto pen. It passed both chambers this Legislative Session with only 13 total votes against […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2017

Making a Better Tomorrow is once again targeting Alex Diaz de la Portilla, including releasing a mailer that calls Senate District 40 voters to tell the former state senator they “don’t need his predatory politics.” The new mailers are the latest in a series of mailers from the Venice-based political committee attacking Diaz de la […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2017

A 5G wireless technology bill that was vigorously opposed by the Florida League of Cities was nonetheless signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott. The bill (HB 687), sponsored by St. Cloud Republican Mike La Rosa in the House, pre-empts to the state the regulation of telecommunications companies putting “small wireless facilities in rights of way.” The League […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott on Friday approved the Legislature’s “Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act,” which gives the state authority to regulate “personal delivery devices (PDDs) and unmanned aircraft systems.” A “personal delivery device” is a machine for use on sidewalks, usually not traveling more than 10 miles per hour. Photo credit: Starship Technologies London-based Starship Technologies, for instance, makes a six-wheeled “self-driving delivery […]

Jim RosicaJune 26, 2017

Craft distillers got another win in legislation approved by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday. The governor signed into law a wide-ranging bill (HB 689) that changes the state’s alcoholic beverage laws. Among the changes taking effect Saturday, the first day of the new budget year, it cuts the “annual license fee for a craft distillery from $4,000 to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 23, 2017

Change is coming to the way the Florida Building Code is updated. Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill (HB 1021) into law Friday that, among other things, changes the way the state’s building code is updated. The new law, which goes into effect July 1, requires the Florida Building Commission to review and determine which […]

Staff ReportsJune 23, 2017

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Chief Justice Jorge Labarga on Friday announced the first members of a panel to advise the Florida Supreme Court‘s commission on helping the state’s poor and working poor get legal help. The Council of Business Partners will advise the Commission on Access to Civil Justice, created by Labarga in 2014. “Employers, too, have a stake in this,” Labarga […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 23, 2017

Several state lawmakers — including Reps. Scott Plakon, Neil Combee, and Randy Fine — have received messages from their constituents asking them to block Grant from running for re-election and running for Speaker during the 2022-24 term, saying the Tampa Republican has already served eight years in office and any more would be in violation of the […]

Peter SchorschJune 23, 2017

With just one week until freshman House Republicans are scheduled to vote for their leader, it appears lawmakers have agreed upon rules governing the election. According to a copy of the rules obtained by FloridaPolitics.com, members will not be allowed to abstain from the vote; discussion between members between the announcement of the eliminated candidate […]

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2017

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Amy Zubaly has now gone from interim to permanent executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), and the first women to head the organization, according to a Thursday press release. The board of directors in January had tapped Zubaly, then deputy executive director of public affairs and strategic communications, to helm the association while […]

Influence

Rick Scott vetoes re-organization of state’s technology agency, a priority of Blaise Ingoglia

New mailers target Alex Diaz de la Portilla in SD 40

Rick Scott approves 5G wireless bill over League of Cities’ opposition

Governor signs drone regulation bill

Craft distillers to get fee break under new law

Rick Scott signs bill updating state building code

Jorge Labarga names Council of Business Partners members

Is U.S. Term Limits coordinating a grassroots campaign against Jamie Grant?

Final rules set for House Speaker’s race voting

Personnel note: Amy Zubaly named new head of FMEA