Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossApril 8, 2015

For the hundreds of thousands of visitors flocking this week to Jacksonville’s One Spark, the five-day crowdfunding festival is a glorious love-in, a happening, a blissful paean to the millennial generation’s long-awaited 21st century triumph over the city’s stodgy Old Guard. One Spark is the Change They Have Been Waiting For. Closed streets, open containers, live […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 8, 2015

Wednesday saw a rare feat: a trifecta of emails aiming at Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown from The Duval County Republican Party and the Lenny Curry campaign. In a week that has been surprisingly fast moving in terms of the campaign narrative, the Curry Camp and the Duval Republicans are messaging hard. The first email on Wednesday, from […]

Associated PressApril 8, 2015

The Florida Legislature is telling President Barack Obama he’s wrong about Cuba. The House on Wednesday voted to send Obama a message that it opposes his decision to renew diplomatic relations with Cuba. The resolution also says the Legislature opposes the opening of any Cuban consulate or diplomatic office in the state. The three-page message […]

Associated PressApril 8, 2015

Traffic ticket quotas for law enforcement agencies would be illegal under a bill passed by the Senate Wednesday. The so-called “Waldo Bill” (SB 264) passed unanimously with no debate. It must still pass the House and be approved by Gov. Rick Scott to become law. The bill’s nickname comes from the city of Waldo on […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said Wednesday that the Senate is getting closer to the House on a comprehensive water bill but differences remain. SB 918 was rewritten in a committee on Wednesday in response to requests by business groups and environmentalists, both of whom had raised concerns. Both sides still have issues, with environmentalists remaining […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

A House property rights bill prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court case involving a Florida landowner was amended Wednesday to resolve many concerns raised by local governments. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres […]

James CallApril 8, 2015

Florida’s job-poacher-in-chief is at it again. Enterprise Florida has been running an ad campaign in California, flaunting the Sunshine State’s economic climate, in advance of a trade mission by Gov. Rick Scott next week. “Florida is Ready!” touts investments in the state’s ports and roads, encouraging California shipping companies to re-route businesses through Florida. “With our low tax, business-friendly […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Little debate on the Senate floor Wednesday preceded its unanimous approval of Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala‘s bill (SB 186) that would legalize 64-ounce growlers. The issue has become a cause celebre among millenials and other casual observers of the political process in Florida the past few years. Some have been flummoxed as to why the Sunshine […]

Peter SchorschApril 8, 2015

John Morgan is a serious person. He certainly spent serious money trying to pass Amendment 2 in 2014. He sounds serious, sometimes even emphatic. And sometimes sounding serious is all one needs to get their friends and enemies to act the way they want them too. At least that’s what Morgan hopes. Elected officials pay […]

Marc YachtApril 8, 2015

Healthcare inequities are costing American lives, increasing disabilities, and bankrupting families forced to choose between healthcare and essentials. Obamacare covers 16 million but an additional 32 million remain unprotected. Although insurer abuses such as cherry picking, pre-existing conditions, denials and rate gouging are being addressed, exorbitant administrative costs and high premiums continue. America’s healthcare problems […]

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Now it's time for Florida to start cleaning up.

How One Spark lays bare Florida’s political divide

Email Insights: Duval GOP and Lenny Curry hit Alvin Brown three times in one day

Florida Legislature: Barack Obama wrong to change Cuba policy

Senate passes “Waldo bill” banning traffic ticket quotas

Speaker says water bills closer, advisory council possible sticking point

Property rights bill clears final House stop with fewer local government concerns

Florida’s job-poacher-in-chief goes California dreamin’

64-ounce growlers a step closer to fill-ups in Florida

Peter Schorsch: Will John Morgan give a pot of money for medical pot?

Marc Yacht: Obamacare helps, but it isn't enough