Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressApril 14, 2015

Florida’s 38-year-old ban on gay adoption is getting tossed out by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature. The Florida Senate on Tuesday voted 27-11 for an adoption bill (HB 7013) that repeals the law first passed in 1977. It now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. Sen. Don Gaetz, sponsor of the bill, called the current ban “meaningless” […]

Kevin MeerschaertApril 14, 2015

Northeast Florida officials are looking to boost exports and therefore increase the number of jobs in the region. The Metro Jacksonville/Northeast Florida Export Plan intends to promote economic development and encourage more businesses to consider exporting their goods. It’s part of the Global Cities Initiative that helps cities around the world develop their economies by […]

Mitch PerryApril 14, 2015

On Monday, Pat Kemp made official what she has told anyone who asked since last November’s election – she is running again for a Hillsborough County Commission seat in 2016, this time in the District 6 countywide seat being vacated by Kevin Beckner, whose term ends next year. Florida Politics originally reported she would run […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 14, 2015

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon in a reserved room at the Jacksonville Zoo, the Northside Business Leaders hosted a candidate forum at its regular meeting, which involving the two runoff candidates to replace Bill Bishop in District 2 (Republican Al Ferraro and Democrat Lisa King), Reggie Gaffney, running in District 7, and the two Sheriff’s candidates, Mike Williams and Ken […]

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 […]

Uncategorized

Legislature repeals 38-year-old ban on gay adoption

Jacksonville initiative seeks boost to exports, local jobs

Pat Kemp says she’s the best Democrat in the Hillsborough County Commission District 6 seat

Northside Business Leaders host Jax sheriff and council candidates

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