Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayFebruary 23, 2016

The Senate Democratic caucus met Tuesday morning to strategize before a busy legislative day in Tallahassee, where Minority Leader Sen. Arthenia Joyner led her caucus through discussions on a handful of controversial bills set to be taken up later in the day. Of particular interest to Joyner was the Sen. Tom Lee-sponsored alimony bill, SB 250. Joyner advised members to […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

State Rep. Matt Gaetz has introduced his own amendment to a judicial term-limits bill that will be before the House Tuesday, inspired by the debate over naming a successor to the late U.S. Supreme Court Antonin Scalia. That amendment reads in part: “… if a justice of the (state) supreme court dies within one year […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

State Rep. Jared Moskowitz on Monday began filing last-minute amendments to the House’s judicial term-limits bill. The measure (HB 197) likely will be dead on arrival when it gets to the Senate. Indeed, the Senate version of the (SB 322) has yet to be heard with three weeks left in the 2016 Legislative Session. Under the legislation, pushed […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 22, 2016

With just a few weeks left in the 2016 Legislative Session, Americans for Prosperity-Florida is continuing its opposition to proposed economic incentive packages. The organization released a Web advertisement Monday that called on Floridians to call for their lawmakers to oppose economic incentive packages. The 30-second spot urges Florida voters to remind lawmakers “they work […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 22, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-02-21-at-3.56.00-PM-1024x1024.png

It’s Week 7 of the 2016 Legislative Session, and Monday brings yet another assortment of policy bills, including those dealing with gas pumps, self-storage units and even declarations of war. First, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee takes up SB 1148, sponsored by Tallahassee Democrat Bill Montford, requiring “self-service gas station pumps to have a receipt printer […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 18, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott used a stop in Southwest Florida to whip up support for his $1 billion tax cut proposal and $250 million Enterprise Florida fund. “Three years ago, we cut the sales tax, for only three years, unfortunately, for machinery equipment. We need to make that permanent,” said Scott during a stop at Arthrex […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 18, 2016

The Florida House wants to give kids a little down time. The House voted 112-2 on Thursday to approve a bill (HB 833) that requires public schools to provide 100 minutes of recess each week in kindergarten through fifth grade. It also applies to sixth-grade students enrolled in schools with one or more elementary grades. […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2016

The ride-hailing company Uber continued its legislative push at a news conference at the Capitol on Thursday. Backers brandished new economic impact numbers indicating growth and told reporters it’s time for lawmakers to finally make good on a pledge to enact a uniform statewide law governing so-called transportation network companies, or TNCs. An Uber lobbyist said nearly […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

The Florida Senate on Thursday began considering a bill creating a legal presumption that parents deserve equal time with their children after a divorce. A vote on the measure (SB 250) could take place next week. In sum, it says starting with the assumption of 50-50 time-sharing at the beginning of custody cases is in […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2016

Florida TaxWatch trumpeted the release of a new report Thursday morning, in which the conservative watchdog group endorsed plans to keep tax dollars flowing to economic incentives along the lines of those favored by Gov. Rick Scott, including $250 million Scott has requested for a dedicated fund for Enterprise Florida business recruitment efforts. The report titled “A […]

Tag: 2016 Legislative Session

Senate Democrats strategize ahead of busy legislative day

Matt Gaetz and the “Scalia amendment”

Jared Moskowitz still trying to amend judicial term limits bill

AFP-Florida launches ad campaign to oppose incentive packages

Monday in the Legislature: Gas receipts, self-storage, Islamic State

Rick Scott tells Southwest Floridians to urge lawmakers to support tax cuts

Florida House passes bill mandating recess at public schools

Uber advocates call for Senate to pass pro-TNC legislation

Child time-sharing bill goes before full Senate

Florida TaxWatch backs Enterprise Florida fund, economic incentives