March 2017 - Page 27 of 105 - Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 22, 2017

A bill that would help state agencies work together in preparation for natural hazards was approved by the House Government Accountability Committee Wednesday and is now ready for the House floor. HB 181, by Coconut Creek Democratic Rep. Kristin Jacobs, would have all executive state agencies, water management districts and the Public Service Commission designate […]

Mitch PerryMarch 22, 2017

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Legislation to make texting while driving a primary offense passed Wednesday unanimously by the Senate Transportation Committee. Miami Republican Rene Garcia sponsored the legislation (SB 144). Florida was one of the later states in the country to adopt anti-texting laws, not doing so until 2013. But the fact that it’s a secondary offense has led critics […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2017

Block parties are not a concern in most of Jacksonville, yet in what the sheriff’s office calls Zone 5, the gatherings predominate … and are becoming more popular year over year. In FY 2015, there were 135 of these events in the city. In FY 2016, there were 171. According to Chief Deloris Patterson, the commander for […]

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

A bill that would ban injecting racing greyhounds in Florida with anabolic steroids is heading to the House floor. The House’s Commerce Committee approved the bill (HB 743) on Tuesday. Florida is home to 12 of 19 tracks in the United States and one of the few places where the use of steroids is permitted. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 22, 2017

Sen. Rob Bradley indicated he is willing to support opening up the medical marijuana market more than he first proposed, but continues to believe vertical integration is the right system for Florida. Bradley, an Orange Park Republican, filed one of five medical marijuana implementing bills this Legislative Session. His proposal (SB 406) would, among other […]

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

Florida is investigating whether or not school districts are moving students around in order to manipulate graduation rates. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart announced Wednesday that she has asked top officials in her department to look closer at students who were in their senior year but weren’t counted in final graduation rates. Gary Chartrand, a member […]

Mitch PerryMarch 22, 2017

A proposal to allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to store firearms with security officers at courthouses advanced in the Florida Senate Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Greg Steube (SB 616), is one of 10 firearms-related pieces of legislation the Sarasota Republican has introduced in the current Session. Unlike many of those proposals, however, opposition to this bill isn’t as fevered in […]

Les NeuhausMarch 22, 2017

Orange County and state officials are making an example of a man who attempted to collect a bogus insurance claim on his car after reporting it stolen, accusing him of arson and insurance fraud. Michael Abrams, 43, is now held on $50,000 bond in an Orange County detention facility, a statement said Wednesday. Abrams is […]

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

The White House is distancing itself from former Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, saying his secret work for a Russian billionaire detailed in an Associated Press report happened during “the last decade.” White House press secretary Sean Spicer says nothing in Wednesday’s AP report references any action by the president, the White House or […]

Joe HendersonMarch 22, 2017

Depending on your point of view, red-light cameras in Florida are either: A) Of great benefit to public safety by making drivers think twice when approaching a changing traffic light; or B) a cash grab by communities that amounts to a backdoor tax. Just we’re clear, I’m on the side of Option B. While several […]

Month: March 2017

Bill to create interagency workgroup on natural hazards clears final House panel

Tougher texting-and-driving ban sails through Senate committee

Jacksonville City Council attempts to hash out block parties … again

Bill banning steroids for greyhounds headed to House

Senate begins discussion of medical marijuana implementing legislation

Florida investigating whether grad rates were manipulated

With little debate, Senate advances Greg Steube’s courthouse carry gun bill

Officials use Orlando man, attempted insurance fraud, as example of abuse

White House distances Donald Trump from Paul Manafort after AP report

Joe Henderson: Time to get rid of red-light cameras, but turn up heat on texting