Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

Rick Swearingen, newly appointed commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is taking a stand against a recent article criticizing his trips he took as part of Gov. Rick Scott‘s security detail. “State’s new FDLE Commissioner has Earned Governor’s Favor,” which ran Feb. 9, has Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald reporter Mary Ellen Klas claiming Swearingen took several “inappropriate trips” at […]

Melissa RossFebruary 13, 2015

Just months after failing to pass a ballot amendment, advocates of legalizing medical marijuana in Florida are regrouping to try again. A new bill was filed Tuesday in the Florida House that wouldn’t allow smokable medical marijuana. At the same time, Republican State Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg is behind a measure that would […]

Ryan RayFebruary 13, 2015

With his many millions in early fundraising dollars, Jeb Bush may quickly become just as prohibitive a favorite in the 2016 GOP presidential primary as Hillary Clinton is among the Democratic field, such as it is. If he’s able to chase Marco Rubio — so recently National Review’s golden boy in a speculative future of a […]

Ryan RayFebruary 13, 2015

With his many millions in early fundraising dollars, Jeb Bush may quickly become just as prohibitive a favorite in the 2016 GOP presidential primary as Hillary Clinton is among the Democratic field, such as it is. If he’s able to chase Marco Rubio — so recently National Review’s golden boy in a speculative future of a […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 13, 2015

You won’t have to travel to Tallahassee to catch the follow up to the high profile Cabinet meeting in Tampa last week. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has asked the Florida Channel to broadcast the March 4 Cabinet aides meeting so those interested in following the discussions during the Cabinet’s next meeting. The chief issue […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

Jeb Bush, in the most significant move yet towards a run in the key early primary state of New Hampshire, hired senior GOP adviser Rich Killion for his Right to Rise PAC. Killion becomes the first Right to Rise staffer to join the campaign in the Granite State. Spokeswoman Kristy Campbell tells the Tampa Bay Times that […]

Ryan RayFebruary 13, 2015

Hollywood Sen. Eleanor Sobel has introduced what she says is a legislative fix for a perennial bugaboo in state elections — complications extending from minor write-in candidates who rarely gain a significant share of the vote, but who often cause procedural headaches for candidates and sometimes cost the taxpayers to finance low-stakes special elections. Sobel’s bill, SB […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

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Next week, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a pair of controversial gun bills to address issues such as weapons on college campuses and the ability to carry concealed firearms without a permit during mandatory emergency evacuations. The bills, SB 176 from Baker Republican Sen. Greg Evers and SB 290 from Republican Sen. Jeff […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 13, 2015

When you attend a House appropriations subcommittee where a chairman’s budget proposals are being unveiled, you might expect to hear some tough questions from Democrats and Republicans. And you might be disappointed, at least by the subcommittee that deals with environmental and agricultural spending. Most of the debate I hear in the House occurs only […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2015

My TweetDeck was filled with comments of respect for David Carr around 1:30 a.m. this morning. I had turned to it immediately after reading of his shocking death on the website of his beloved New York Times. Eric Deggans has called him the finest media reporter of his generation, and he was that, and a whole lot […]

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Milton aftermath. Photo by Phil Ammann.

New FDLE chief blasts Herald article on “inappropriate” trips as Rick Scott security detail

South Florida company says its success in Washington proves marijuana-use law can work here

Can Jeb Bush's money buy love among the GOP base?

Can Jeb Bush’s money buy love among the GOP base?

Jeff Atwater secures TV coverage for cabinet aides meeting

Jeb Bush moves closer to N.H. primary run, hires top state adviser

Bill would close write-in loophole

Senate panel to discuss 2 controversial gun rights bills

Bruce Ritchie: Even if budget-writing is unfair, asking tough questions is key

Mitch Perry Report for 2.13.15 – RIP, David Carr