Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

A few hours after the state Senate nearly unanimously approved a resolution denouncing the Obama Administration’s recent diplomatic breakthrough with Cuba, Tampa U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor‘s office announced a forum next week in Tampa to look at the new policies and what they will mean for local travel and trade. The event, called the Cuba […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 24, 2015

With time running short the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries on Tuesday deferred action on a controversial bill that real estate professionals believe will help expedite the sale of home. SB 736, sponsored by Sen. Kelli Stargel, addresses estoppel letters, how long they are effective and how much home owner associations and community management companies can […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 24, 2015

With less than three hours until polls close in the Jacksonville “First Election”, it looks like we are approaching parity in terms of party turnout. As of 4:00 PM, the Democrats are still maintaining their advantage, yet the margin (67,005 to 64,621) has tightened since polls opened at 7:00 this morning. If historic trends hold, […]

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Image via OIC-SFL.

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

U.S. Secretary of Commerce to attend Cuba forum in Tampa

Realtors bat .500 as estoppel bill gets bogged down in the Senate but clears the House

As final rush to polls commences, Duval Dems hold turnout lead