Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 23, 2015

After announcing his bid for Marco Rubio’s U.S. Senate seat, Florida U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy received a warm welcome Monday from Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant. “Patrick Murphy is a champion for middle class families, and his commonsense approach to the tough issues facing Florida and our country has earned him praise from all […]

Phil AmmannMarch 23, 2015

Within hours of Congressman Patrick Murphy announcing a bid for the U.S. Senate, the National Republican Senatorial Committee launched a new website “welcoming” the Jupiter Democrat to the race. “After barely serving one term in the House of Representatives … Murphy is already asking Floridians for a promotion,” says a NRSC statement. “Fittingly, Murphy has […]

Peter SchorschMarch 23, 2015

It’s been an interesting six months for Republican political operative Mike Grissom, someone we’ve described as one of the brightest minds in Florida politics. After inexplicably leaving the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Florida quarterbacked Leslie Dougher’s unsuccessful re-election bid as Chair of the RPOF. Since then, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 23, 2015

A third poll has confirmed what two others have already shown: Residents overwhelmingly favor the Destination St. Pete Pier design over all others. In a new survey commissioned by Florida Politics, St. Pete Polls asked residents which of the three remaining pier designs they favored: Pier Park, Destination St. Pete Pier or the Alma. More than 45 […]

Guest AuthorMarch 23, 2015

As with most issues, there is another side to legislation pertaining to punitive damages that is now being considered by the Florida Legislature. A Tampa Bay Times editorial, “Don’t change law to limit damages for Big Tobacco” on Feb. 26, suggests this bill is a bailout, and one that changes the rules long after the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 23, 2015

It’s late March of 2015, but it’s all about 2016 for a couple of politicians in the news today. One is South Florida-based Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy, who is officially running for U.S. Senate next year. You can read our interview with the young Democrat (he’s just 31) that we conducted with him last night. […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 23, 2015

In hopes of hanging on to a $2 billion pool of supplemental Medicaid dollars the state uses to help fund hospitals, federally qualified health centers, HMOs and other parts of Florida’s health care delivery system, the Senate late last week proposed a new plan that it hopes the federal government will approve. So, just how […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 23, 2015

The Florida Medical Association is championing a bill that would limit an HMO or insurance company’s ability to limit access to pharmaceuticals or other covered services is being heard by its second committee in the Senate this week. The Senate Health Policy Committee will take up the Right Time Right Place bill, SB 784, when […]

Phil AmmannMarch 23, 2015

Both the Florida House and Senate released spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year, providing funding for everything from education and transportation to the newly passed Amendment 1 land-conservation measure. Beyond that, however, the two budgets could not be further apart; almost $5 billion, to be exact. Bill Day’s latest takes aim at this fiscal […]

Phil AmmannMarch 23, 2015

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced 28 appointments to a variety of regulatory boards and panels statewide. Board of Professional Geologists Scott began by reappointing Louie Bush and Mervin Dale to the Board of Professional Geologists, which regulates the practice of professional geology. Bush, 64, of Lakeland, is the southeast regional manager for Underground Imaging […]

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One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

Florida Democrats give warm welcome to Patrick Murphy’s Senate run

NRSC launches website to bracket Patrick Murphy’s campaign

The return of Mike Grissom

New St. Pete Pier survey still finds little agreement between city, residents

Tom Feeney: Time is now for common-sense damages reform in Florida

Mitch Perry Report for 3.23.15 – Ted Cruz and Patrick Murphy declare for 2016

How do hopsitals fare under new Senate plan? Check and see ….

FMA priority bill is moving through Senate but it’s lingering in the House

Bill Day’s latest: The widening budget gap over Medicaid expansion

Gov. Scott announces 28 regulatory boards appointments