Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMay 9, 2017

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Tampa-based Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, an Am Law 200 firm, is extending its public affairs arm with the launch of Shumaker Advisors Florida. The group will offer legislation advocacy, issue management and business-to-government and business-to-business services. Shumaker employees more than 260 lawyers and operates five offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota; and […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

The Senate manager for two of the most ambitious bills debated during the Legislative Session was a little wistful following sine die. Sen. Rob Bradley, who carried SB 10 for Senate President Joe Negron, called the bill “one of the real legislative achievements of the last decade or so, that we can all be very […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron took the opportunity to crow a little upon the conclusion of the 2017 Legislative Session. Even if it did run over a little. The two held a joint news conference in the Capitol Rotunda following sine die to brag on what the Legislature had accomplished. “For […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

The Senate sent the VISIT Florida and Enterprise Florida budget cuts to the Governor Monday on a 29-8 vote, but not before Sen. Jack Latvala, who has supported Gov. Rick Scott on economic incentives, took the opportunity to nitpick. The House approved the measure earlier in the day. Latvala started with HB 5501’s formal name: […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

In comments more about family than policy, two House members said farewell to their colleagues Monday. Jose Felix Diaz, a Miami-Dade Republican, could become the next U.S. Attorney, or top federal prosecutor, for South Florida. Barring that, he has said he’ll run for the now-open state Senate seat vacated by Frank Artiles. And Eric Eisnaugle, […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

Only one of the budget conforming bills debated in the Senate Monday drew a point of order — SB 7069, to implement the House’s ideas about charter schools and teacher bonuses. It didn’t stop the bill from passing, on a vote of 20-18. House and Senate negotiators have paired the bill with separate legislation carrying […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

Legislators from Pasco County urged Gov. Rick Scott Monday to approve legislation authorizing construction of a $4.3 million criminal forensics laboratory there that would attack the state’s 16,000-case backlog of unsolved murders. “This is not about Pasco County. This is about the entire state,” Sen. Wilton Simpson said. The project would “greatly expand law enforcement’s […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

Eric Eisnaugle is leaving the House for the bench. Gov. Rick Scott on Monday announced he had appointed Eisnaugle, currently a Republican state representative, to replace former Judge C. Alan Lawson on the 5th District Court of Appeal. Lawson now is a Florida Supreme Court justice. Eisnaugle, 40, of Windermere, has represented House District 44 since […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members voted Monday in favor of a budget conference committee report that keeps the state’s Agency for State Technology. The measure passed on a vote of 109-2. The House had earlier angled for a major overhaul, even doing away with the agency, but agreed to keep it intact during budget negotiations. The agency came […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members on Monday approved a measure dealing with VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida funding on a 74-34 vote. If vetoed, however, the “conforming bill” would need 80 votes to overcome Gov. Rick Scott‘s red pen. Both chambers have begun discussing the 2017-18 state budget, which wasn’t completed on time to finish the 2017 Legislative Session last Friday. […]

Influence

Tampa-based Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick law firm launches Shumaker Advisors Florida

Rob Bradley reflects on his big win, and big loss, during the Legislative Session

House, Senate leaders claim historic accomplishments during 2017 session

Jack Latvala gets into it with Jeff Brandes over economics incentives bill

Jose Felix Diaz, Eric Eisnaugle bid adieu to House

Education bill, key to budget deal, clears the Senate by two votes

Area lawmakers, Dozier survivor pitch Pasco forensics lab to Rick Scott

GOP Rep. Eric Eisnaugle appointed state appeals judge

Blaise Ingoglia: Agency for State Technology ‘is going to stay’

House OKs VISIT FLORIDA, Enterprise Florida funding cuts