Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieMarch 19, 2015

Environmental groups supporting Amendment 1 on Thursday criticized a Senate chairman’s spending proposal that provides $22 million for land acquisition. Amendment 1, approved by 75% of Florida voters in November, provides an estimated $741.8 million in fiscal 2015-16 for water and land conservation programs. Sen. Alan Hays, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2015

The Tampa City Council has an election every year to choose a new chair. The majority has chosen the status quo in recent years, continuing to choose longtime member Charlie Miranda as their leader, with nary a vote for the board’s other six members. That lack of leadership diversity has bothered a few members of […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2015

At a media availability Thursday with a group of supporters on Jacksonville’s Northbank Riverwalk in the recently revitalized Brooklyn neighborhood, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown unveiled a list of 100 accomplishments during the the last four years in Jacksonville. He argued strenuously that he has been a nonpartisan mayor who has put Jacksonville first, a “conservative Democrat” […]

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 […]

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Environmental groups criticize “hostility” in Senate Amendment 1 spending proposal

Tampa Council argues diversity vs. status quo in who will lead

Alvin Brown touts his 100 accomplishments and thanks Bill Bishop

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