March 2017 - Page 32 of 105 - Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineMarch 21, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott wouldn’t say Tuesday whether he would permanently suspend State Attorney Aramis Ayala. But Scott insisted his special prosecutor would be the one to seek the death penalty against Markeith Loyd, despite Ayala’s challenge to his order reassigning her. Under questioning by reporters at the state Capitol, Scott said only: “We are going […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2017

Andrew Gillum picked up two new endorsements Tuesday in his campaign for governor. The Tallahassee mayor’s campaign announced that Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe and Gainesville City Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos are backing his candidacy for the 2018 Democratic nomination. “As mayor of Gainesville, I know the importance of having a governor who understands the needs of our […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 21, 2017

A bill to impose a 90 day moratorium on block parties in Jacksonville (and not the rest of Duval County) cleared its two city council committees Tuesday. The legislation (2017-196) posits “a legitimate public purpose in imposing a temporary moratorium on permitting recreational street closings … ‘block parties’ within the City, to allow the City time to […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2017

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The House of Representatives are poised to vote on “The American Health Care Act” Thursday, but nobody is certain whether the GOP-backed plan has enough votes to pass. Miami Republican Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen has said she would vote against the bill; now the Club for Growth wants to ensure dissension in a new television ad, one of […]

Les NeuhausMarch 21, 2017

A bill approved by a Florida House committee Tuesday would increase penalties for Floridians receiving food stamps and cash aid that have not met obligations to find work. HB 23 would return those penalties to levels before the 2008 Great Recession. Cape Coral Republican Rep. Dane Eagle, who introduced the same measure in the 2016 […]

Jim RosicaMarch 21, 2017

After Sen. Bill Galvano first proposed it four years ago, the Senate is poised to pass a bill removing the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods. Bill sponsor Anitere Flores, a Miami-Dade Republican and Senate President pro tempore, took questions on the legislation (SB 106) Tuesday. It’s now set up for debate and a final […]

Scott PowersMarch 21, 2017

Democratic U.S. Reps. Al Lawson and Darren Soto sent a letter to President Donald Trump Tuesday morning urging him to exempt the Social Security Administration from the federal hiring freeze. “On the campaign trail, you promised to not cut Social Security—particularly the benefits for our seniors. However, a hiring freeze does indirectly cut those benefits, […]

Staff ReportsMarch 21, 2017

The Florida Senate Tuesday passed a bill aimed at streamlining the handling of political redistricting court cases. The legislation (SB 352) was approved without debate 24-14, sending it to the House. Bill sponsor Travis Hutson, an Elkton Republican, has said the plan “locks the maps in place on qualification day,” giving clarity to candidates. It also […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 21, 2017

February ended with Jacksonville City Council VP John Crescimbeni storming out of the gate in the race for the council presidency. A group of councilmen — Gulliford, Crescimbeni, Greg Anderson, Jim Love, and Tommy Hazouri — signed on very quickly, giving Crescimbeni a real leg up. Rhetoric was pitched in the councilmen’s conclave: lots of talk about “council tradition” dictating […]

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2017

Besides, maybe, New York City or Washington, D.C., there really is no better place from which to write about politics than Tampa Bay. One reason is that there are so many competitive congressional and legislative seats in the region. And what’s spent to win those seats is oftentimes as much as the amount spent to […]

Month: March 2017

Rick Scott reviewing options in Aramis Ayala death-penalty situation

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe and City Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos endorse Andrew Gillum for governor

Block party moratorium to be voted on by full Jacksonville City Council

Club for Growth encourages Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to oppose the GOP health care bill

Some lawmakers worry children will suffer under new Florida work-for-welfare bill

Senate begins consideration of ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill

Al Lawson, Darren Soto urge hirings not be frozen at Social Security Administration

Redistricting-related bill OK’d by Senate

Crunchtime for John Crescimbeni in Jax Council President race

Here’s where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay politics — the ‘this place is the best’ edition