Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 18, 2015

The Legislature is moving ahead with a measure that will increase the number of children eligible for vouchers that pay for special education programs. The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12 on Wednesday voted for the bill that is one of the top priorities for Senate President Andy Gardiner. Gardiner has a son with Down syndrome […]

Jim RosicaNovember 18, 2015

In a legislative equivalent of a Hail Mary pass, the Democratic leader of the GOP-controlled state House has filed legislation to extend the terms of state lawmakers from eight years to 12 years. State Rep. Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach submitted the bill (HJR 711) on Wednesday for the 2016 Legislative Session. The change would require amending the state […]

Phil AmmannNovember 17, 2015

Florida’s Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to the upcoming Legislative Session with a new blueprint for the effort to advance jobs, economic growth and opportunity in the Sunshine State. Now entering its 100th year, the Chamber unveiled its 2016 Legislative Agenda during a Tuesday news conference at the Florida Capitol. The Florida Legislature is […]

Peter SchorschNovember 16, 2015

If you listen to the lobbyists for ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and other independent liquor retailers, it would be the bacchanal end-of-the-world if the state’s Prohibition-era law that requires retailers to sell hard liquor in a separate store from groceries and other wares is repealed. For three years various lawmakers have carried legislation – nicknamed […]

Jim RosicaNovember 4, 2015

A House panel on Wednesday approved a bill that would require local law enforcement wearing body cameras to develop guidelines for their use. The Criminal Justice subcommittee unanimously cleared the bill (HB 93), sponsored by state Rep. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat. The bill would allow the decision to wear body-cams to remain with local police and sheriffs. […]

Ryan RayNovember 2, 2015

Coral Springs Rep. Jared Moskowitz filed a bill Monday to create a Florida Holocaust Memorial at the state Capitol in Tallahassee. Moskowitz’s HB 513 would direct the Department of Management Services to receive recommendations from the Florida Historical Commission on where and how to build a memorial within the Capitol complex honoring the millions of victims of Nazi extermination […]

Jim RosicaOctober 29, 2015

A Tampa lawmaker has filed a bill that would shield the identities of “witness(es) to a felony” from being released to the public. State Rep. Ed Narain, a first-term Democrat, submitted his bill (HB 475) on Thursday. The legislation creates an exemption from Florida public records law of witnesses’ “personal identifying information,” prohibiting its disclosure, including to […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he’ll ask the Legislature to add $20 million in funding for the state’s technical centers in his 2016-17 budget recommendation. Technical centers are run by Florida’s school districts and colleges and train workers for various jobs based on the workforce needs of the area. Scott said the $20 million would […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2015

“Sure I eat what I advertise. Sure, I eat Wheaties for breakfast. A good bowl of Wheaties with bourbon can’t be beat.” – Hall of Fame pro-baseball pitcher Dizzy Dean. Supporters are hoping the third time’s the charm in repealing the state’s Prohibition-era law that requires retailers to sell hard liquor in a separate store from […]

Ryan RaySeptember 23, 2015

Sen. Thad Altman filed a bill on Tuesday that would allow Florida law enforcement to pull drivers over solely for texting while driving. Under current law officers may only cite drivers for doing so as a secondary offense, not warranting a traffic stop on its own. State statute 316.305 provides that enforcement of the state’s texting-while-driving prohibition “must […]

Tag: 2016 Legislative Session

Senate panel OKs expanded help for intellectually disabled children

Mark Pafford proposes extending legislative term limits

Florida Chamber unveils ambitious plan for job growth, diversified economy in 2016

ABC’s app-based alcohol delivery service tears down its argument for keeping “whiskey & Wheaties” wall

Police body-camera bill OK’d by House panel

Bill filed to create Florida Holocaust Memorial

Bill would protect names of criminal witnesses

Gov. Rick Scott requests $20M in tech center funding for 2016 budget

Fight over “whiskey and Wheaties” returns to Capitol

Thad Altman seeking stricter rules on texting while driving