Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeNovember 6, 2018

Floridians have successfully passed a permanent extension to an already existing yearly tax increase cap on properties that don’t have a homestead exemption. Amendment 2 was passed by a margin of 66 percent-34 percent as of 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. The proposal needed but 60 percent voter approval to pass. Voters approved over a decade ago the […]

Jim RosicaJuly 24, 2018

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Give Costco’s lawyers some credit: They may have a found a way to finally be able to sell tequila and turkey burgers in the same store. The answer may involve its food courts — turkey provolone sandwich, anyone? — and repealing the state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule.” And already, Costco’s critics are calling it an […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 1, 2018

Four bills passed during the 2017 Legislative Session go into effect on the first day of the new year. HB 435: This bill updates the Office of Financial Regulation’s regulatory procedures and requirements for international financial institutions. SB 590: This bill authorizes the Florida Department of Revenue to establish parenting time plans agreed to by both […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2017

VISIT FLORIDA CEO Ken Lawson is telling tourism industry leaders he “want(s) to earn (their) trust” in a Wednesday post on the public-private tourism marketing agency’s blog. “As you know, I have been traveling the state, engaging with our partners, board members, legislators and other stakeholders to listen, learn, and offer VISIT FLORIDA’s support at […]

Peter SchorschJune 30, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron aced the 2017 Legislative Session when it comes to school choice, said an organization founded by former Gov. Jeb Bush. Foundation for Florida’s Future gave both Republican lawmakers an “A+” this year and included both on their “honor roll,” which the group says, “recognizes the legislative […]

Staff ReportsJune 19, 2017

Changes to how the state’s nursing that accept Medicaid are paid are coming down the pike. Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a wide-sweeping health care bill (SB 2514) last week that, among other things, moves the payment system to a cost-based system to a prospective payment system. The law delays the move from cost-based […]

Jim RosicaJune 19, 2017

Lawyers for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and companies behind what are known as “pre-reveal” games—a name they apparently disdain—will appear Monday afternoon in a Tallahassee courtroom. Circuit Judge John Cooper agreed to hear argument on why he should reconsider his previous ruling that the stand-alone consoles aren’t illegal slot machines. The devices in question use a specific software known as “Version 67.” The […]

Jim RosicaJune 12, 2017

The companies behind what are known as “pre-reveal” games say they’re “losing money every day” even after a Tallahassee judge ruled the stand-alone consoles aren’t illegal slot machines. Gator Coin II and Blue Sky Games are asking Circuit Judge John Cooper to lift an automatic stay of his March decision. Cooper, however, already has agreed to reconsider the ruling, setting […]

Staff ReportsJune 2, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday approved another 33 bills from the 2017 Legislative Session, according to an email from his office. The official list with descriptions follows: CS/CS/HB 39 Autism Awareness Training for Law Enforcement Officers – This bill requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to enhance Autism Spectrum Disorder training for law enforcement […]

Staff ReportsJune 1, 2017

The voting record report is out. Associated Industries of Florida released its 2017 Voting Record report. Published for more than four decades, the annual report is considered one of the definitive legislative scorecards for the business community. This year, the organization calculated more than 208,966 votes on 1,955 bills with 848 legislators. “This session, AIF […]

Tag: 2017 Legislative Session

Amendment 2—the measure ‘for everybody’—passes

It’s back: Costco’s weapon to win ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ war

Handful of new laws go into effect Jan. 1

Ken Lawson to tourism industry: ‘I want to earn your trust’

Jeb Bush foundation issues legislative grades; aces for Richard Corcoran, Joe Negron

Rick Scott signs nursing home reimbursement changes into law

Lawyers to face off in hearing over ‘pre-reveal’ games

Pre-reveal game makers bemoan state’s ‘heavy-handed tactics’

Rick Scott signs 33 bills into law

Associated Industries releases 2017 Voting Record report