Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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, […]

Ryan RayMarch 24, 2015

The Florida Credit Union Association today announced the recipient of their 2014 best-legislator award: House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. “Today, we recognize Speaker Crisafulli as our 2014 Lawmaker of the Year and thank him for his support of the Florida Credit Union Association,” said Patrick La Pine, the group’s president and CEO in a statement on Tuesday. “Speaker Crisafulli […]

Ryan RayMarch 24, 2015

Rep. Bryan Avila faced pointed scrutiny in the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday, as he shepherded a bill that would circumscribe the way cities and local governments can use red-light cameras to detect traffic infractions at intersections. HB 7071 seeks to limit the amount of infraction-based revenue cities get to spend on […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

President Barack Obama‘s diplomatic breakthrough with Cuba in December has been met mostly with approval in the Tampa Bay area from political and business leaders. A Pinellas County delegation visited the communist island for the first time in January, while the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is planning another visit in May. Tampa area U.S. […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 24, 2015

With little to no fanfare the House Civil Justice Subcommittee early Monday deferred action on a bill aimed at snuffing out the lawsuits of 4,500 smokers and their families who have sued cigarette manufacturers but still await trial. Subommittee Chairman Rep. Kathleen Passidomo announced at the beginning of the meeting that the bill, HB 1067, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

A new poll shows that a majority of Floridians would prefer that neither Jeb Bush nor Marco Rubio should run for president next year. Only 37 percent of Florida voters think Bush should run for president, while 52 percent said he shouldn’t, according to the Public Policy Polling survey published Tuesday. The numbers for Rubio are almost […]

Melissa RossMarch 24, 2015

Add Jacksonville’s North Florida Land Trust to the chorus of outrage over the Legislature’s proposal for the Amendment 1 budget. Amendment 1 passed overwhelmingly in November. The measure is designed to dedicate 33 percent of revenue from excise taxes to protect the state’s land and water resources. Now environmental groups like the NFLT are furious that […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

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Last year, a proposal in Tallahassee that would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a license while evacuating an emergency was met with resistance from law enforcement, and didn’t come to pass. After bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes made some tweaks this year, though, the Florida Sheriffs Association endorsed it, and that seemed […]

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Ryan Ray will join fellow in-the-know Democrats Beth Matuga and Ashley Walker for the Monday luncheon.

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

Florida credit unions name Steve Crisafulli 2014 ‘Lawmaker of the Year’

House red-light camera bill rolls through committee stop

Senate denounces Obama overture to Cuba

Bill to limit tobacco lawsuits snuffed by House subcommittee

New PPP survey shows Jeb Bush losing momentum in Florida

North Florida Land Trust howls over Amendment 1 funding

Senate OKs gun bill allowing concealed carry during emergencies