Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2017

Seeing it as the “lesser of various evils” to pass a gambling bill this year, the House may give in to the Senate’s position to legislatively approve new slot machines in counties that passed referendums allowing them, according to those familiar with the negotiations. As of early Monday, the Conference Committee on Gaming was set to meet later […]

Michael MolineApril 20, 2017

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With two weeks and change remaining in the 2017 Legislative Session, House and Senate budget leaders are professing optimism that they can resolve their differences and adjourn on time May 5. House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo — and Jack Latvala, his Senate counterpart — both said Thursday they hope to begin formal budget conference negotiations […]

Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

The Florida House approved tough new ethics legislation Thursday barring members of the Legislature and statewide elected officials from lobbying their former colleagues for six years after leaving office. The measure also would prevent officials from leveraging their authority to seek jobs from or going into business with lobbyists. CS/SB 7083 passed on a vote […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

The Senate’s workers’ compensation package passed its final committee test Wednesday, as its sponsor expressed willingness to compromise with the House over conflicting language on attorney fees and medical payments. “I do think that we can land in a place where, when they score the final product, it will show more rate reduction than they’re […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

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The House voted Wednesday to replace Florida personal-injury protection insurance mandate for motorists with a requirement that they buy bodily injury protection, upending an insurance system in place since 1971. “Today, we have the ability to start thinking about personal responsibility in a different way, and shifting that paradigm in the state of Florida in […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

The Florida House approved a workers’ compensation fix Tuesday intended to answer the Florida Supreme Court’s objections to the system by adding flexibility on attorney fees in benefits challenges, and by boosting benefits for injured workers. The measure, HB 7085, passed on a vote of 82-37, shortly before the Senate bill cleared the Rules Committee. […]

Michael MolineApril 19, 2017

The House assignment of benefits fix cleared its last committee vote Wednesday, with co-sponsor James Grant conceding language addressing attorney fees and consumer choice in hiring contractors needs more work. “The Florida House is not going to tolerate inaction on it,” Grant said following the Commerce Committee’s 21-7 vote. “I think you’ll see pretty quick […]

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2017

Florida senators passed a bill Wednesday that would allow advertising by beer companies in the state’s theme parks. The measure (SB 388), sponsored by Republican Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, received only one ‘no’ vote from Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican. It eases the state’s “tied house evil” law by allowing ads, which could include a […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2017

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The House of Representatives has released a new “explainer” video to explain its proposed 2017-18 state budget. And—fun!—it’s a cartoon. “Don’t have time to read hundreds of pages?” it starts. “That’s OK, because we’ve got the Florida House budget in under a few minutes.” The nearly three-minute video explains that the House, led by Speaker […]

Michael MolineApril 18, 2017

The House defeated a series of Democratic amendments to its version of a workers’ compensation fix Tuesday, with sponsor Danny Burgess promising the bill would “enhance the fairness and the balance of the workers’ compensation system in Florida.” Burgess, whose Insurance & Banking Subcommittee drafted the legislation, also predicted a decline in premiums, following the […]

Tag: 2017 Legislative Session
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Gambling deal may come down to slots question

Appropriations chiefs sound hopeful as clock ticks on state budget negotiations

House approves six-year lobbying ban for former lawmakers, elected officials

Senate workers’ comp sponsor open to compromise as bill heads to floor

House votes to repeal Florida’s PIP mandate for auto insurance

Florida House OKs legislation targeting soaring worker’s compensation premiums

House assignment of benefits bill clears final committee, headed to floor

Senate votes to allow beer ads in theme parks, ‘merlot to go’

House PR machine turns to its version of state budget

House workers’ compensation bill survives Democratic floor amendments