Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 12, 2017

Rep. Jose Felix Diaz has raised more than $400,000 in the special election to replace Sen. Frank Artiles in Senate District 40. Diaz, a Miami Republican, said his campaign raised about $450,000 — about $280,000 for his official campaign and another $167,000 for Rebuild Florida, his political committee — between May 10 and June 8. “Our […]

Phil AmmannJune 12, 2017

After six years, health care providers scored a major victory Monday when Florida officials declined to appeal a federal ruling striking down the so-called “docs versus Glocks” law. In 2011, Florida lawmakers passed a bill which prevents doctors from asking patients about guns. Since then, a federal court invalidated several parts of the law. The […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 12, 2017

Back in May, we reported on Northeast Florida powerbrokers going “all in” for Rep. Paul Renner as the region’s best hope for Florida House Speaker. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, essentially the model Republican of his generation in this part of the state, delivered an altar call at a Duval fundraiser. And the donor class delivered something better […]

Staff ReportsJune 12, 2017

Rep. Matt Caldwell is getting a little help from his friends in bid for Agriculture Commissioner. Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, Rep. Dane Eagle, and Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen are among the more than three dozen Southwest Florida officials scheduled to host a fundraiser for Caldwell on Monday night. The fundraiser, according to a copy of the […]

Brendan FarringtonJune 10, 2017

Florida became the first state with a law that spells out that prosecutors, and not defendants, have the burden of proof in pretrial “stand your ground” hearings when Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday. The measure was among 16 bills that Scott signed, including a bill that gives students and school employees a […]

Associated PressJune 9, 2017

A whirlwind three-day special session is ending after the Florida Legislature approved a last-minute deal to boost money for public schools and money to repair the dike that surrounds Lake Okeechobee. The Florida Legislature on Friday approved two-budget related bills that would also set aside more money to economic development programs championed by Gov. Rick […]

Scott PowersJune 9, 2017

The budget package deal that gave Gov. Rick Scott the $85 million he wants for a Florida Job Growth Grant Fund also restored cut funding sought by Florida colleges and universities for 17 different projects, including funding for medical marijuana research. The research money, $1.69 million will go to the University of Florida Health Center […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2017

After a false start during the regular Legislative Session, lawmakers Friday passed a medical marijuana implementation bill on the last day of the Special Session, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott. The wide-ranging legislation (SB 8-A) will give guidance to state regulators as they put the state’s constitutional amendment medical marijuana into effect. Gov. Rick Scott said […]

Michael MolineJune 9, 2017

The Senate has teed up a compromise school-funding bill designed to help send the Legislature home from its special session. But the senators held off a final vote until the House makes good on its promise to OK an economic development bill that contains $60 million in higher education projects. The Senate passed the latter […]

Staff ReportsJune 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott expanded the call of the Legislature’s special session Friday to include money he wants to repair the Herbert Hoover Dike and higher education investments important to the Senate. And here are the details that got us here: The Senate will relent on trying to appropriate more money for hospitals; there will be nothing that […]

Influence

Jose Felix Diaz raises about $450K for SD 40 race

Florida declines to appeal decision striking down ‘docs versus Glocks’ law

Northeast Florida delivers $260K in May to Paul Renner committee

Ray Rodrigues, other SWFL leaders host fundraiser for Matt Caldwell’s bid for Ag Commissioner

Florida law shifts burden of proof in ‘stand your ground’

Special session ends after Florida Legislature approves deal

Medical marijuana research, 16 other higher-ed programs restored in budget deal

Lawmakers finally pass medical marijuana implementation bill

Senate holds off on school funding until House acts on higher education

We have a deal: Rick Scott expands scope of special session