Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 3, 2017

By a vote of 117-0, the Florida House passed a bill to revamp the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). With the Senate approving the bill last week, it now goes to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk. Although Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson sponsored it in the House, that chamber actually substituted his bill with the Senate version, sponsored by Clearwater […]

Michael MolineMay 3, 2017

The Senate approved legislation Wednesday increasing penalties for trafficking in synthetic opioids including fentanyl and carfentanil, The vote was 37-0 to send the measure back to the House. HB 477 targets fentanyl and related substances that, when administered by themselves or in combination with other drugs, can prove deadly, for tougher sentencing. For example, it would […]

Associated PressMay 3, 2017

Marco Rubio is announcing several new promotions and staff hires in his Washington, D.C. office. Lauren Reamy, a member of the Florida Senator’s staff since 2015, has been promoted to Legislative Director. Robert “Bobby” Zarate will lead Rubio’s foreign policy team after joining the staff as a Senior Foreign Policy adviser in December 2016, and […]

Jim RosicaMay 3, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran told members at the beginning of Monday’s floor session that both chambers have reached agreement on a final 2017-18 state budget. Corcoran said the Legislature will take the weekend off and reconvene Monday at 1 p.m. to consider the budget and vote. That contrasts with the speaker’s comment to reporters Tuesday […]

Jim RosicaMay 3, 2017

The Governor’s Office now has received nearly 500 emails asking Gov. Rick Scott to veto a contentious bill that allows retailers to sell distilled spirits in the same store as other goods. A tally shows 491 emails urging a veto and none in support of the measure (SB 106), according to Scott spokesman McKinley Lewis. The bill passed […]

Staff ReportsMay 3, 2017

Sen. Rob Bradley isn’t giving up hope the 2017-18 state budget will include money for the Florida Forever conservation lands program. POLITICO Florida reported Tuesday that Bradley said the budget would include spending for Florida Forever, for Florida Keys wastewater projects, his proposed projects along the St. Johns River, and Senate President Joe Negron’s proposed […]

Associated PressMay 2, 2017

A bill to compensate the family of a freshman Florida State football player who died after a workout 16 years ago is heading to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott. The Florida Senate on Tuesday voted 34-2 for a claims bill (HB 6515) paying $1.8 million to the family of Devaughn Darling. Florida State agreed […]

Michael MolineMay 2, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron conceded the obvious Tuesday night: The House and Senate won’t wrap up budget negotiations in time to adjourn as scheduled on Friday. “You know the timetable as well as I do, with the 72-hour requirement. So we will definitely not complete the budget work prior to the end of Friday, and […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2017

The Florida Legislature voted to send a trimmed-down version of a bill (SB 10) to build a water storage reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. A top priority for Senate President Joe Negron, the bill aims to divert toxic algae discharges from coastal communities. The measure prohibits the state from taking private property to build the […]

Michael MolineMay 2, 2017

With House and Senate leaders caught up with budget negotiations ahead of Friday’s deadline for adjournment, advocates for legislative fixes for assignment of benefits and workers’ compensation reform confronted this possibility: Their must-pass legislation might not pass. There’s a workers’ compensation bill on the Senate calendar, but it differs in significant respects from the version […]

Influence

TBARTA bill passes unanimously — now goes to Rick Scott for signature

Senate sends amended version of opioid crackdown bill back to House

Marco Rubio D.C. office to make several personnel changes, new hires

Legislative Session will extend through Monday

Opponents of ‘liquor wall’ bill have begun veto effort

Report: Rob Bradley says 2017-18 budget will include money for land conservation

Senate passes compensation for deceased FSU player’s family

Joe Negron acknowledges the Legislative Session will enter extra innings

Capitol Reax: Lake Okeechobee water storage reservoir

Must-pass workers’ compensation, AOB reform languishing in Legislature