Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressJune 18, 2017

President Donald Trump’s announcement that he’s “cancelling” his predecessor’s policy toward Cuba is a good deal less than meets the ear. Trump’s move, announced Friday in Miami, actually leaves in place most of the important elements of President Barack Obama’s moves to open relations with the island. And while his policy has the stated aim […]

Peter SchorschJune 17, 2017

Jacksonville Republican Paul Renner could be on the cusp of winning an intra-party contest to determine who will serve as House Speaker beginning in 2022. The first-term state Representative currently commands a majority of his 26 colleague’s votes, after Melbourne’s Randy Fine put aside his own bid to be Speaker on Friday and decided to take on the […]

Staff ReportsJune 16, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday evening announced he had signed another 13 bills from the 2017 Legislative Session into law. Those bills include SB 118, which Scott’s office said would “prevent businesses that publish arrest photos from charging a fee to remove them if requested.” The measure was aimed at the growing number of websites that showcase […]

Peter SchorschJune 16, 2017

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Ryan Duffy, who joined Hill+Knowlton Strategies after serving as former House Speaker Will Weatherford‘s spokesman, now will be heading to U.S. Sugar as its Director of Corporate Communications, the company announced Friday. “We are pleased to add Mr. Duffy to U.S. Sugar’s leadership team, where he will help articulate the company’s positions and share our vision of sustainable […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 16, 2017

Byron Donalds started thinking about running for Speaker early on in his legislative career. He knew he could be a voice for change and offer a different perspective than some of his classmates, but also knew the traditional method for electing a leader meant the Speakership was unlikely for a lesser known freshman. Then the […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott signed a sweeping education bill (HB 7069) that, among other things, sends more public money to privately-run charter schools. The legislation, a top priority for House Speaker Richard Corcoran, also requires recess in elementary schools, makes changes to the state’s standardized testing system, and includes millions of dollars for teacher bonuses. The […]

Mitch PerryJune 15, 2017

Rick Scott signed SB 800, the Senate companion to House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz’s HB 1191, putting medication synchronization into law. What’s that, you ask? Many patients, especially those with chronic conditions who may have been prescribed medications from different specialized physicians, currently face various refill dates and multiple trips to the pharmacy each to maintain their prescribed […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

The Florida House is touting the signing of a wide-sweeping education bill with a new video. The nearly 3-minute web video, released ahead of a bill signing event at Morning Star Catholic School in Orlando, features news clips showing parents talking about their children and reporters highlighting the 2015 “Failure Factories” series by the Tampa […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

After years of unsuccessfully fighting its way through the Legislature, the estoppel bill is now law. Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday signed the measure (SB 398), which overhauls the legal process of estoppel letters. It goes into effect July 1. “We are grateful for this compromise that will benefit Florida homeowners, associations, and taxpayers,” said Mark Anderson, Executive Director for […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 15, 2017

Erin Grall first thought about making a run for legislative leadership during the 2016 election cycle. At the time, she said it didn’t seem like there would be a chance for her to run for Speaker. But then Republican members voted to change the rules governing the election of their leader. Now every freshman had […]

Influence
Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Image via AP.

Fact check: Donald Trump keeps much of Barack Obama’s Cuba policy

Paul Renner on cusp of winning 2022-24 House Speaker’s race

Rick Scott signs 13 more bills into law

Personnel note: Ryan Duffy joining U.S. Sugar

Rules changes sparked Byron Donalds to seek Speakership

Capitol Reax: Rick Scott signs HB 7069

Rick Scott signs Janet Cruz-sponsored bill letting patients make fewer drug store trips

In new video ahead of HB 7069 signing, Florida House declares ‘hope has arrived’

Don’t estoppel believing: Now it’s a law

Could Erin Grall become ‘Madam Speaker?’