Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 24, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz proclaimed in February that “no tax is safe” and Tuesday he released a $690 million tax-cutting plan that moves the House budget plan further away from the Senate’s version. Gaetz wants to enact two tax cuts, create four tax credits, implement 10 sales tax exemptions and schedule a back-to-school tax holiday. The Senate will […]

Phil AmmannMarch 24, 2015

It’s not over yet. Before Jacksonville knows who its next mayor will be, residents must got to the polls once again. This time voters will decide a May 19 runoff between incumbent Alvin Brown and challenger Lenny Curry. Brown, the first Democrat elected to the office since Ed Austin in 1991, took a 5-point lead […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 24, 2015

Backers of a solar energy ballot initiative said Tuesday they’ve collected enough petition signatures to have the measure reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court. Floridians for Solar Choice says it wants to encourage solar energy production with a constitutional amendment that would prohibit governments or utilities from placing barriers on the sale or distribution of […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 24, 2015

Counties, agriculture, industry groups and environmentalists all raised concerns Tuesday as a Senate committee passed its first version of a water bill. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner have said passing water legislation is a top priority in the 2015 Legislative Session. The House bill, opposed by environmentalists, passed the chamber 106-9 […]

William MarchMarch 24, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet rejected nominations of three Confederate soldiers for the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Tuesday after being told they weren’t eligible because they didn’t serve in the U.S. military. Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans argued they should be included because the veterans honorably served the state and […]

Gary FineoutMarch 24, 2015

With a budget stalemate still possible, the Republican-controlled Florida House on Tuesday rolled out a hefty package of tax cuts and tax breaks that it wants to push through during this year’s session. House leaders are pitching nearly $700 million in tax cuts, including a substantial cut in the taxes charged on cellphones and cable […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 24, 2015

A bill aimed at ensuring condo-owners aren’t forced to sell their homes for pennies on the dollar unanimously passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Tuesday. Senate Bill 1172 sponsored by Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala is a direct answer to an oversight in 2007 legislation that allowed investors buying condo units in bulk to scoop up […]

Guest AuthorMarch 24, 2015

Few hot-button topics are hotter among university faculty than whether tenure is essential to academic freedom and quality teaching. Tenure reform sometimes is the third-rail of academia in the same way Social Security is the third rail of national politics. A university president who suggests tenure reform can expect to face a vote of no […]

Associated PressMarch 24, 2015

Former President George W. Bush is scheduled to attend a Lone Star-studded fundraiser in Dallas on Wednesday for his brother Jeb Bush. The former president and former first lady Laura Bush are the special guests to appear with the former Florida governor, who is expected to announce in the coming months his candidacy for the […]

James CallMarch 24, 2015

The Senate Regulated Industries took about 90 minutes to do what the Department of Health, growers and investors haven’t been able to do since last August — agree on a regulatory structure allowing Florida’s first legal marijuana crop to be planted. “This is about fulfilling a promise,” Sen. Rob Bradley said of his glitch bill for the […]

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The day that was in Florida politics — March 24

Jax mayor’s race now down to Alvin Brown, Lenny Curry

Solar amendment group says it has enough signatures for high court review

Senate panel clears water bill; environment, industry groups concerned

Rick Scott, Cabinet reject Confederates for state Veterans Hall of Fame

House wants to cut taxes on cellphones, textbooks

Jack Latvala bill protecting condo-owners clears Senate panel

Dan Dundon: An insider's view of tenure at Florida universities

W. to attend Jeb Bush fundraiser

Charlotte’s Web fix clears committee stop