Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 2, 2017

After months of discussion, the House appears ready take steps to open up the medical marijuana industry. Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues filed an 82-page, delete all amendment on his medical marijuana implementing bill (HB 1397) early Tuesday morning. The amendment comes just hours before the House is scheduled to vote on the bill. The amendment, […]

Gary FineoutMay 2, 2017

After keeping the money locked up for nearly a year, Florida legislators have finally agreed on a plan to hand out millions of dollars given the state for damages related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida Senate on Monday voted unanimously for a bill that would guarantee […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron on Monday said lawmakers are “getting close” to a deal on a gambling overhaul bill for the year. The same day, however, a House Democrat who’s on the Conference Committee on Gaming tweeted “Nope” about the same thing. Negron was asked about the legislation during a media availability after the day’s floor […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2017

Mike Dew, the Florida Department of Transportation‘s chief of staff, now has applied to be Secretary of the department, according to a list of applicants released Monday. As of Monday’s deadline, 125 people had applied for the open position, created when former Secretary Jim Boxold resigned in January to join Tallahassee’s Capital City Consulting firm. Dew applied Monday […]

Michael MolineMay 1, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron held out hope Monday evening that he and House Speaker Richard Corcoran could resolve lingering disagreements about the state budget in time to present a bill Tuesday and adjourn as scheduled on Friday. “I know there was some real good progress made today on a number of issues, particularly in the […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2017

The Senate on Monday passed the House’s Supreme Court reporting bill, but after Sen. Anitere Flores had tacked on as an amendment her plan to expand the use of juvenile civil citations. Without debate, senators passed the measure (HB 301) on a 35-1 vote. Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, was the lone ‘no’ vote. Because of the […]

Michael MolineMay 1, 2017

The Senate approved a proposed ballot measure Monday to raise the value of Florida’s homestead exemption, improving chances that separate legislation to expand gambling would survive the Legislative Session. The vote was 28-10, within the required three-fifths majority. House leaders, who have been reluctant to open Florida to additional gambling options, have made approval of […]

Associated PressMay 1, 2017

A push by Florida’s largest power company to charge customers for out-of-state fracking appears dead for this session. House Speaker Richard Corcoran said Monday he has “too many reservations” about Senate Bill 1238 and the potential consequences it would have on state ratepayers and the environment. He added the House would not vote on it […]

Phil AmmannMay 1, 2017

Florida legislators are considering another public meeting on the state’s budget language before finalizing the agreement Tuesday. Lobby Tools is reporting Monday that Senate budget chief Jack Latvala and Carlos Trujillo, his House counterpart, said that the joint appropriations committee would not meet again, so it’s not clear who will be involved in the meeting, […]

Michael MolineMay 1, 2017

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved some $75 million in tax breaks Monday, including repeal of Florida’s tampon tax, that would be central to passing an $83 billion budget and ending the Legislative Session on time Friday. The committee also approved across-the-board pay raises for state workers, with extra money for high-risk employees, plus an option to […]

Influence

House medical marijuana amendment could quicken pace for new licenses

After delay Florida will finally hand out oil spill money

Joe Negron: Lawmakers ‘getting close’ to agreement on gambling

Mike Dew now vying for top spot at Dep’t of Transportation

Joe Negron sees ‘good progress’ toward budget deal as session enters final week

Senate adds civil citations, passes Supreme Court reporting bill

Homestead exemption expansion wins supermajority vote in Senate

House will not vote on fracking investment bill

Lawmakers consider one more public budget meeting

Tax breaks clear Senate Appropriations as session enters final scheduled week