Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 10, 2016

Putting behind a year’s worth of rancor, the Florida Legislature on Friday will approve a more than $82.3 billion budget that includes a slight boost in money for schools but also rejects many of Gov. Rick Scott‘s main priorities. Just a few months ago the Republican-controlled Legislature was rushing to pass a budget to avoid […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli bid farewell to his colleagues Thursday, thanking his staff and fellow for making the House “an incredible institution.” “It has been a true honor to serve with all of you,” Crisafulli said. “The past two years have been challenging; they have brought on extraordinary times. But I am so proud […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

A bill to remove and replace a statue of a Confederate army general is one of more than two dozen bills signed into law Thursday. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill (SB 310), which calls on the Department of State to select a prominent Floridian to replace General Edmund Kirby Smith’s statue in the National […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2016

The 2016 tax package was back in the Senate Thursday, one day before the end of the 2016 Legislative Session, with state Sen. Dorothy Hukill trying to safely land the more than 100-page bill. Ironically, a watchdog group issued a report the same day that said the real tax problem in Florida isn’t at the state level, […]

Associated PressMarch 9, 2016

Couples shacking up together would no longer be breaking the law under a bill passed by the Florida Legislature. The Florida House on Wednesday voted 112-5 to repeal the state’s largely unenforced prohibition on cohabitation. The bill heads now to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott. Under a law that has been on the books […]

Ryan RayMarch 9, 2016

The Florida Senate passed a shorter alternative to an omnibus anti-corruption bill to tighten ethics standards and make it easier to prosecute corruption on Wednesday, amid a flurry of bill action. The proposal, HB 7071, passed on a 39-0 vote. The measure lowers a legal threshold for prosecution from “with corrupt intent” to “knowingly and intentionally” […]

Ryan RayMarch 8, 2016

When the Legislature’s final budget hit the desk Tuesday afternoon, it included a line item containing $10 million to fund free and charitable clinics for underserved and uninsured Floridians. About the same time, the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics issued a statement expressing their gratitude, along with a heartfelt request: please, Gov. Rick Scott, allow us […]

Associated PressMarch 8, 2016

Florida legislators will vote later this week on an $82.3 billion budget. The proposed budget was formally delivered to state lawmakers at 2:53 Tuesday afternoon. That clears the way for legislators to take a final vote on Friday. State law requires that the budget must be finished 72 hours ahead of the vote. Top House […]

Gary FineoutMarch 8, 2016

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Seeking to address a “dark stain” on Florida’s history, the state Legislature is offering to pay to rebury students whose remains were once interred on the grounds of a now shuttered reform school. Legislators on Tuesday sent to Gov. Rick Scott a measure that attempts to come to terms with the notorious legacy of the […]

Ryan RayMarch 8, 2016

The House on Tuesday passed a bill designed to stop thieves from using “skimmers,” devices that steal consumer’s credit card information when they swipe their cards to pay for gas at the pump. The measure – SB 912 – was top priority this Session for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, and he expressed his gratitude to sponsor Sen. Anitere […]

Lawmakers poised to approve nearly $82.3 billion budget

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli says goodbye to “an incredible institution”

Rick Scott signs bill to replace General Edmund Kirby Smith statue in D.C.

With clock ticking, tax package discussed in Senate

Shacking up: Florida Legislature repeals cohabitation ban

Senate passes abridged public corruption bill

Free & charitable clinics: Thanks for the funding, please don’t veto it

Lawmakers now considering $82.3 billion state budget

Florida passes bill to deal with legacy of notorious Dozier school

Adam Putnam thanks lawmakers for helping crack down on gas pump “skimmers”