Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 18, 2015

Florida House of Representatives Speaker Steve Crisafulli on Friday said lawmakers may well give Gov. Rick Scott his requested $1 billion tax cut in next year’s state budget. Don’t expect that as the gift that keeps on giving, though. “The reality of a billion dollars (in tax cuts) recurring is not off the table so much […]

Phil AmmannDecember 17, 2015

Everglades restoration will receive a substantial financial boost, thanks to bills filed by a pair Republican lawmakers Thursday. As first reported by LobbyTools, state Sen. Joe Negron and state Rep. Gayle Harrell, both of Stuart, submitted proposals (HB 989 and SB 1168) that seek to dedicate $200 million a year to Everglades restoration projects. The […]

Phil AmmannDecember 17, 2015

Florida businesses pay too much in a rent tax, and a new coalition is looking to change that starting with the 2016 Legislative Session. In a new video released Thursday, the Business Rent Tax Coalition, a group of small businesses and other business interests, calls for lawmakers to eliminate Florida’s 6 percent business rent tax […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2015

There won’t be any major education bills expected in the 2016 Legislative Session, according to Senate Education chair John Legg. As reported by LobbyTools, testing legislation was one of only a handful of substantive bills that ultimately passed in the 2015 session. And for the upcoming session, set to begin next month, Legg said education […]

Jim RosicaDecember 15, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is backing new legislation aimed at cutting down identity theft at self-serve gasoline pumps. Putnam, whose department inspects gas pumps at the state’s 8,000 retail service stations, on Tuesday got behind two bills (HB 761/SB 912) filed last month by House Republican Leader Dana Young of Tampa and state Sen. Anitere Flores […]

Guest AuthorDecember 14, 2015

Right now, in Florida, there’s a debate over the future of onshore oil and gas activities and, more specifically, the use of high-pressure well stimulation techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing. During the course of this debate, there have been several common misconceptions surrounding the use of those advanced techniques and their effect on the environment, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner says he expects a productive 2016 Legislative Session without the turmoil that fractured last session. Gardiner, a Republican, spoke to FloridaPolitics.com Thursday in a pre-session interview. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli is scheduled to hold a similar question-and-answer session with news media next Friday. But the issue that caused the last Session to […]

Peter SchorschDecember 3, 2015

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce headed up to Tallahassee Thursday to discuss its 2016 legislative agenda with lawmakers. “We had the privilege today to meet with our local delegation members to express what is important to the Chamber and to the business community as a whole,” said Guy King III, the group’s chair-elect. “It […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

There isn’t a name for the period of time before the calm before a storm. For now, let’s call it “last committee week of the year.” It, of course, includes a surplus of fundraising, which lawmakers can do during committee weeks but not during legislative sessions. Departing lawmakers also continue to raise cash for their post-Legislature plans. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 19, 2015

A bill that would end state oversight of hospital construction and expansion cleared its first House review panel on Thursday. The Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access OK’d the legislation (HB 437) 10-4 along party lines. The measure would repeal the “certificate of need” process that requires hospitals to show state regulators there’s a need in the community […]

Tag: 2016 Legislative Session
Pastel colored tropical townhomes

Steve Crisafulli says Rick Scott may get his $1 billion in tax cuts

Joe Negron, Gayle Harrell file bills to give $200 million boost to Everglades restoration

New business coalition video calls for elimination of Florida Rent Tax

Don’t expect major education bills in 2016, John Legg says

Adam Putnam backs anti-ID theft legislation

Brewster Bevis: Misconceptions surround hydraulic fracturing

Andy Gardiner hopes to avoid health care funding dramas of last Session

Tampa Chamber outlines 2016 agenda, supports Florida Enterprise Fund

Tallahassee gears up for final committee week before Session

House panel OKs repeal of hospital regulation