Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineJune 7, 2017

The Senate voted Tuesday to override Gov. Rick Scott’s veto of the public schools budget, plus a number of higher education building projects. The first override was an “insurance policy” intended to keep the schools open after July 1 if this week’s special session of the Legislature breaks down. “This is an insurance policy. We […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

Only one of the budget conforming bills debated in the Senate Monday drew a point of order — SB 7069, to implement the House’s ideas about charter schools and teacher bonuses. It didn’t stop the bill from passing, on a vote of 20-18. House and Senate negotiators have paired the bill with separate legislation carrying […]

Staff ReportsMay 6, 2017

The work of the people ended with a whimper Friday, as lawmakers agreed to extend the 2017 Legislative Session to complete the budget, killing a host of other legislation. As the Legislature turned out the lights around 9:30 p.m., high-profile dead bills included efforts to overhaul workers’ compensation and assignment of benefits, and to implement the […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

The Legislature stiffed the Florida Chamber of Commerce on one of its top priorities this year — abuse of assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs. The Chamber isn’t hiding how it feels about that. “Florida’s hardworking families should remember this – the Florida Senate chose to side with anti-consumer special interests, instead of stepping up […]

Michael MolineMay 5, 2017

The Senate changed its mind Friday and accepted mandatory-minimum prison sentences in a bill cracking down on synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and carfentanil. Senators had stripped the provision earlier in the week, but the House refused to abandon mandatory sentences and sent the bill back. Senate President Joe Negron initially ruled that Sen. Greg Steube’s […]

Michael MolineMay 4, 2017

Could someone in the Senate please ask Kevin Rader to knock it off? That’s the gist of a letter Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews wrote to Senate general counsel Dawn Roberts last week. “Would you kindly ask Sen. Rader to stop disseminating my client’s picture around the Capitol on stationery that bears the Senate’s seal?” Andrews […]

Michael MolineMay 3, 2017

The Senate approved legislation Wednesday increasing penalties for trafficking in synthetic opioids including fentanyl and carfentanil, The vote was 37-0 to send the measure back to the House. HB 477 targets fentanyl and related substances that, when administered by themselves or in combination with other drugs, can prove deadly, for tougher sentencing. For example, it would […]

Michael MolineApril 27, 2017

A resolution to depose Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, CSA, from his place in the National Statuary Hall collection and install Mary McLeon Bethune cleared the Senate Thursday on a voice vote. SCR 1360, by Perry Thurston, went to the House, where its future was uncertain. Smith is one of two historical figures whose likeness stands in […]

Michael MolineApril 27, 2017

The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to apologize to survivors of the Groveland Four — African-American men who were brutalized in 1949 following a false accusation of rape. The senators first voted, 36-0, to sign on as cosponsors, then approved the resolution on a voice vote. “This is a great miscarriage of justice,” sponsor Gary Farmer said. “This […]

Michael MolineApril 26, 2017

Sen. Dorothy Hukill wasn’t there to defend herself, so her Senate colleagues plastered her name on legislation she long has sponsored to promote financial literacy education. The vote to sign on as a co-sponsor of the amendment was 36-0. The vote to approve the bill was the same. “This has been a bill that Sen. […]

Tag: 2017 Florida Senate

Senate votes to override veto of public education budget as ‘insurance’

Education bill, key to budget deal, clears the Senate by two votes

See ya Monday: House and Senate adjourn after extending session

Florida Chamber and allies unload on Senate for skipping AOB reform this year

Senate bows to minimum-mandatory sentencing for fentanyl traffickers

Steve Andrews getting involved in Kevin Rader’s crusade against lobbyist

Senate sends amended version of opioid crackdown bill back to House

Resolution to replace Confederate general with educator passes the Senate

Senate sends Groveland Four resolution to Governor and Cabinet

Senate makes it the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Education Act