Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 19, 2015

A House committee approved an overhaul of the state group health insurance plan with little to no debate Thursday morning. The House Health Care Services Committee — which had wrapped up lengthy debate on an adoption bill — had moved to extend the two-hour meeting in case the state group health debate ran long. The […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 19, 2015

One week after striking down a ban on gay adoption, a House panel on Thursday approved a proposed committee bill that would allow private child-placing agencies to refuse an adoption if the placement violates their religious or moral convictions. The proposed bill, PCB HHSC 15-03, was supported by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2015

The Jacksonville sheriff’s race has seen robust fundraising for many candidates, with three Republicans raising at least $250K before the runoff. Conventional wisdom is that two of those Republicans, Mike Williams and Jimmy Holderfield, are jousting for one runoff slot. Ironically, given their fundraising prowess, the race may pivot on an “overzealous” Holderfield supporter being arrested for […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2015

The Jacksonville sheriff’s race has seen robust fundraising for many candidates, with three Republicans raising at least $250K before the runoff. Conventional wisdom is that two of those Republicans, Mike Williams and Jimmy Holderfield, are jousting for one runoff slot. Ironically, given their fundraising prowess, the race may pivot on an “overzealous” Holderfield supporter being arrested for […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 19, 2015

A Senate appropriations subcommittee chairman on Thursday presented a budget proposal that provides $22 million for land acquisition, prompting another Republican subcommittee member to charge that the proposal violated Amendment 1. Amendment 1 is a conservation spending initiative approved by 75% of voters in November. In 2015-16, the measure will provide $741.8 million, or 33% […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2015

Several dozen people in the Tampa progressive community gathered Wednesday night in Ybor City to say goodbye (for now) to Mary Mulhern, the Tampa City councilwoman leaving the board because of term limits next week. “Mary has always stood up for everybody in this community,” said Tampa lawyer and prominent Democrat Gary Gibbons, who introduced […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2015

Several dozen people in the Tampa progressive community gathered Wednesday night in Ybor City to say goodbye (for now) to Mary Mulhern, the Tampa City councilwoman leaving the board because of term limits next week. “Mary has always stood up for everybody in this community,” said Tampa lawyer and prominent Democrat Gary Gibbons, who introduced […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2015

The final mayoral candidate interview heading up to Tuesday’s election happened Thursday morning, when Omega Allen appeared on First Coast Connect on WJCT-FM. The previous time Allen was on the show, she made news by claiming that “homosexuality is a choice,” a statement she seemingly has been walking back since. Allen also held a press conference a week […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2015

The final mayoral candidate interview heading up to Tuesday’s election happened Thursday morning, when Omega Allen appeared on First Coast Connect on WJCT-FM. The previous time Allen was on the show, she made news by claiming that “homosexuality is a choice,” a statement she seemingly has been walking back since. Allen also held a press conference a week […]

Diane RobertsMarch 19, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE–When the Death Mermaid shows up, pay attention. Back in 1881, she appeared to Hamilton Disston, warning him against trying to drain the Everglades. Old Ham, never the most emotionally stable of multimillionaires, shut his eyes tight and swore on his mother’s grave he’d stop drinking cologne. In 1969, she scared the feds into […]

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Gold Coast Eagle Distributing;s Javier Bermudez and Chad Fraser bring water to Helene victims in Bradenton. Image via Gold Coast.

House panel OKs state insurance overhaul, but will Senate bite?

House panel OKs bill to give private adoption agencies refusal option

Stolen signs loom as Jax Sheriff's debate approaches

Stolen signs loom as Jax Sheriff’s debate approaches

Amendment 1 budget proposal prompts objections, heated exchange

Mary Mulhern says "thank you" as she nears exiting Tampa City Council

Mary Mulhern says “thank you” as she nears exiting Tampa City Council

Omega Allen talks HRO and women's "intuition" on WJCT

Omega Allen talks HRO and women’s “intuition” on WJCT

Legislators, ignore the Death Mermaid at your peril