Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieApril 14, 2015

A controversial House growth management bill passed its final committee stop on the way to the House floor on Tuesday. HB 933, which originally combined seven separate House growth management bills, includes provisions eliminating the “development of regional impact” review process for larger developments and requiring a property rights element in local government comprehensive land […]

Drew WilsonApril 14, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott signed HB 7069 Tuesday, reducing the number of tests Florida public school students take as well as making changes to teacher evaluations and school year start dates. “This legislation reduces the number of tests our students take, including the 11th grade English Language Arts test that we eliminated this year through an […]

Ryan RayApril 14, 2015

It seems lawmakers hit the annual “drink, drop and dash” scene exceptionally hard this year. Legislators are prohibited from raising campaign cash during the Legislative Session in Tallahassee. However, in the run-up beforehand, statehouse pols pulled in more than $1 million dollars in eleventh-hour contributions. Much of it came from lobbyists and business interests who […]

Ryan RayApril 14, 2015

Martin School Board member Rebecca Negron has announced a run for the congressional seat vacated by Patrick Murphy, who is running for U.S. Senate. “I believe we live in a nation that, as our founding fathers intended, has given its citizens the greatest opportunities for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” said Negron, wife of state Sen. Joe […]

Melissa RossApril 14, 2015

Is Florida ready for online voting? According to an email from the state’s League of Women Voters, it should be. The Action Alert from president Deirdre Macnab states that “online voter registration took another step towards becoming a reality, with bills in the Senate and House passing through committees.” “Governor Rick Scott, however, has made […]

Peter SchorschApril 14, 2015

The battle over a Florida boy’s circumcision has moved to federal court. A federal civil rights complaint was filed late Monday on behalf of the 4-year-old by his mother Heather Hironimus after her efforts failed in state courts. Hironimus fled with her son despite a judge’s order to appear in court and to allow the […]

Guest AuthorApril 14, 2015

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for president Monday, and I’m terrified that he’s actually going to get elected. Rubio’s still polling in single digits. He’s young and relatively unknown. He has been on the “incorrect” side of some key political issues. He shouldn’t even be running, though: It’s Jeb Bush’s turn. He can’t possibly […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 14, 2015

For those who follow Jacksonville’s City Council (both masochists and those who are interested in public policy outcomes), outgoing District 8 Councilwoman Denise Lee has done as much as anyone to make those events “Must See TV.” The most iconoclastic Democrat on Council, she was one of two Dems to vote against the latest iteration of […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 14, 2015

Rainy days and Mondays always got Karen Carpenter down. That didn’t apply to the Republican Party of Duval County, though, which drew a couple hundred hearty souls for a ran-soaked rally Monday at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. In the house at the Hyatt were heavy hitters who needed no introduction, such as Sheriff John Rutherford […]

Drew WilsonApril 14, 2015

New reports filed with the Florida Division of Elections show the political committee pushing for medical marijuana legalization in Florida has seen contributions wilt since Amendment 2 failed in November. People United for Medical Marijuana, headed up by Orlando attorney John Morgan, raised $15,931 in March against expenditures of $10,666. A third of the money […]

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David Smith. Image via Florida House

Growth bill headed to House floor with opposition from cities, counties

Rick Scott signs bill to cut school testing

Legislators raked in campaign cash just before Session start

Rebecca Negron running for Congress in District 18

Email Insights: State League of Women Voters pushes online voter registration

Civil rights case filed to stop Florida boy’s circumcision

Michelle Todd: Marco Rubio nailed his presidential launch

Jax District 8 race is one between two connected Dems

Duval GOP #UniteJax downtown rally rouses faithful

Medical marijuana fundraising slows, United for Care receives $15K in March