Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineFebruary 22, 2017

The House Transportation and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee began voting on nearly $500 million in member project bills Wednesday, as its chairman warned that the panel’s approval does not guaratee a project will make it into the final House budget bill. “Our point here is to try to vet these to the extent we can in the […]

Michael MolineFebruary 9, 2017

Legislation cleared a House committee Thursday to create a new cause of action for women who suffer injuries or emotional distress during abortion procedures as a result of the doctor’s failure to provide informed consent. HB 19, by Vero Beach Republican Erin Grall, specified that women would not be bound by restrictions imposed under Florida’s […]

Michael MolineFebruary 2, 2017

Jeff Atwater delivered some frank advice Thursday when he warned insurers they need to present hard facts to the Legislature before they can expect help in solving problems with the workers’ compensation system and other priorities. Speaking at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Insurance Summit in Miami, the state’s Chief Financial Officer called for “honesty and transparency with an […]

Michael MolineJanuary 26, 2017

The percentage of the Florida Supreme Court’s caseload still pending after 180 days doubled after the U.S. Supreme Court upended the state’s death penalty system last year, a court representative told a House panel looking into court delays on Thursday. In Hurst v. Florida, the justices in Washington invalidated Florida’s death penalty because the law […]

Michael MolineJanuary 24, 2017

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A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have endorsed proposed legislation to ban extraction of oil and gas via hydraulic fracturing in Florida. “This bill is concise and straightforward. It bans fracking of all types in Florida,” Senate sponsor Dana Young said Tuesday during a news conference outside the Senate chamber. “As a sixth generation Floridian and avid […]

Michael MolineJanuary 10, 2017

Home repair contractors lashed out against calls for a crackdown on assignment of benefits agreements during testimony before a key Senate committee Tuesday, insisting such contracts protect homeowners and reputable remediation businesses. They argued instead for increased regulation of their industry, to put fly-by-night contractors out of business. “Would you please regulate us?” said Dave […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 4, 2017

A House bill would require judges to make specific findings before they can award attorney fees in public records lawsuits. State Rep. Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican and lawyer, filed the measure (HB 163) on Wednesday. It would require a judge to determine that a public agency “unlawfully refused to permit a public record to be […]

Associated PressDecember 26, 2016

Congressional Republicans are planning a massive overhaul of the nation’s tax system, a heavy political lift that could ultimately affect families at every income level and businesses of every size. Their goal is to simplify a complicated tax code that rewards wealthy people with smart accountants, and corporations that can easily shift profits — and […]

Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2016

Tallahassee-based public affairs firm CoreMessage is adding Brianna Shoaf as its newest account executive. Shoaf, a Rhode Island native and Florida State University graduate, will develop communications strategies for corporate, political and government clients across the state. Before joining CoreMessage, she spent nearly two years with The Zimmerman Agency. There, Shoaf worked with several award-winning […]

Michael MolineDecember 12, 2016

The Florida Legislature may have nearly $142 million more to spend next year than previously expected, but that won’t save lawmakers from difficult choices during the spring legislative session. The revenue forecast for the fiscal year ending in June could run $119.3 million ahead of the previous forecast in September, according to preliminary numbers approved […]

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Epic Universe anticipation boosts Universal attendance after a rocky summer.

House Transportation and Tourism panel begins vetting member projects

House panel approves new cause of action for abortion negligence

Jeff Atwater delivers frank advice at Chamber’s Insurance Summit

House subcommittee looks into state courts’ caseload backlogs

Bill to ban hydraulic fracking attracts bipartisan support

Contractors mount defense of assignment of benefits agreements

House bill would affect public records lawsuits

GOP: Cut taxes, change brackets; but what about deficits

Personnel note: CoreMessage adds Brianna Shoaf as account executive.

Austerity budget looms despite Florida’s improved state revenue forecast