Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday signaled he would approve a bill to remove and replace a statue of a Confederate army general as one of Florida’s two entries in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. The House passed the Senate’s bill (SB 310) by a vote of 83-32 earlier in the day. The House put aside its version (HB 141) […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday suggested, with as much subtext as he could muster, that lawmakers need to come around on his two main budget goals for 2016-17: $1 billion in tax cuts and $25o million for business incentives. After all, legislative leadership passed their priority bills early on, which Scott happily signed. The message was […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

A bill to provide funds for a “proper burial” for boys who died at the infamous Arthur Dozier School for Boys passed the Florida Senate on Wednesday. The bill also authorizes the Department of State to “preserve historical resources, records, archives, and artifacts” related to the site. The Dozier school is said to be the site […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Senate a bill that would classify computer coding as a “foreign language” for purposes of high school credit. Sen. Jeremy Ring‘s SB 468 passed the upper chamber by a vote of 35-5 after half an hour of heated debate, mostly among Ring’s fellow Democrats. Sen. Dwight Bullard said he agreed coding is an important skill for students to learn, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

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There were still no definite answers Wednesday on whether the House will consider a Senate-approved change to the state’s Stand Your Ground law. The Senate bill, backed by state Sen. Rob Bradley, “shifts the burden of proof from the defendant to the prosecution” in pretrial hearings on whether a use of force was justifiable, according to […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

A judicial term limits initiative that is stalled in the Senate barely passed out of the House Wednesday. The House approved the measure (HB 197) on a 76-38 vote. Because imposing term limits on appellate judges and justices requires changing the state constitution, it needed three-fifths of the House, or at least 72 votes. A […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

After a fire alarm delayed the start of Wednesday’s meeting by almost half an hour, the Senate Democratic caucus finally got down to the task at hand: opposing Republican-sponsored legislation, particularly an energy exploration bill that has environmentalists up in arms. The caucus members were united in their resistance to a bill they said would preempt […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 24, 2016

The rules of seersucker are simple. Wear a pastel tie and make sure it matches your socks. Pairing black shoes with your snazzy suit is a no-no. And definitely don’t wear it outside of seersucker season, which for some means it runs from Easter to Labor Day. The Florida Legislature is bending that last rule […]

Ryan RayFebruary 23, 2016

A group of international business leaders heard the Florida gospel from a cadre of state officials as part of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Annual International Days on Tuesday. Among the top talking points business professionals from around the world heard: Gov. Rick Scott‘s aggressive economic development efforts, Florida’s easygoing tax and regulatory regime, and, of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2016

A Senate bill that could expand medical marijuana in Florida was temporary postponed Tuesday. The proposal (SB 460) adds medical marijuana to the state’s Right to Try Act. Under the proposal, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, eligible patients would be able to purchase and possess marijuana for medicinal purposes. Lawmakers had […]

Tag: 2016 Legislative Session

Rick Scott says he’ll sign Confederate statue bill

Rick Scott calls session “successful” – but still hasn’t got what he wants

Dozier school relief bill passes Senate unanimously

Senate passes measure categorizing computer coding as foreign language

Stand Your Ground bill still in legislative limbo

House passes judicial term limits in close vote

Senate Democrats huddle up to oppose fracking bill

Screw the calendar and wear your seersucker

Foreign business leaders hear from lawmakers at Florida Chamber’s International Days

Senate temporarily postpones medical marijuana expansion bill