Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 4, 2017

A House bill would require judges to make specific findings before they can award attorney fees in public records lawsuits. State Rep. Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican and lawyer, filed the measure (HB 163) on Wednesday. It would require a judge to determine that a public agency “unlawfully refused to permit a public record to be […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 4, 2017

A bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation has again been filed in the Florida Legislature. State Rep. Jason Brodeur, a Sanford Republican, filed a measure (HB 149) on Wednesday. The bill would clarify that fantasy contests “reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the participants” and are not games of chance […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 3, 2017

Social networking platform Facebook has again hired Sebastian Aleksander for the 2017 Legislative Session, lobbyist registration records reviewed Tuesday. This makes the third year in a row that Aleksander will have represented the social media behemoth, based in Menlo Park, California. Among other major websites, he also represents Yahoo! Inc., records show. Facebook’s last significant interest in Florida legislation […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2017

As lawmakers get ready to consider relaxing the state’s booze regulations, craft distillers have started to lobby up for the 2017 Legislative Session. According to lobbying registration records reviewed Monday, some craft liquor makers have hired or re-hired representation for the upcoming session: Ron Book and Kelly Mallette, for Florida Distillers of Lake Alfred. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2017

Ballard Partners will continue its representation of daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies into 2017, according to lobbying registration records reviewed Monday. Brian Ballard and the lobbyists who work for him, including former state Rep. Chris Dorworth, have begun registering their representation for the 2017 Legislative Session, some effective as early as this week. Chief among those interests are DraftKings and FanDuel, the DFS giants who announced […]

Staff ReportsDecember 29, 2016

The Pinellas County Republican Party chair is castigating Democratic state Sen. Darryl Rouson over his proposal to change the Electoral College. Rouson, of St. Petersburg, told the Tampa Bay Times Wednesday that he plans to file a bill to “require the state’s presidential electors to vote for the winner of the national popular vote.” The bill, which […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2016

Doug Holder has entered the government affairs sector. Holder recently registered as a lobbyist, representing the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System on behalf of The Legis Group. Holder founded the firm with former Rep. Robert Schenck. A former state representative, Holder served in the Florida House from 2006 until 2014. During […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 27, 2016

Lawmakers could override court decisions they don’t like under bills filed Tuesday. State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican, filed two pieces of legislation, one aimed at state judges and another at federal judges who interpret state laws. The first measure (HJR 121) would allow the Legislature to review judicial rulings that declare legislative acts void. If approved […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 21, 2016

Rep. Emily Slosberg is following in her father’s footsteps, and that might not be a good thing. Slosberg, a Boca Raton Democrat, appears to already be at odds with members of the Palm Beach County legislative delegation after a kerfuffle during the recent delegation meeting. At issue: Local bills that would have allowed Palm Beach […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 20, 2016

Sen. Anitere Flores has filed a bill to decriminalize youthful transgressions, a top priority for Senate President Joe Negron. Flores, a Miami Republican and the Senate President Pro Tempore, filed Senate Bill 196 on Tuesday. The measure allows law enforcement officers to issue juveniles who admit to committing a first-time misdemeanor a civil citation or […]

Tag: 2017 Legislative Session
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

House bill would affect public records lawsuits

Fantasy sports bill filed again in Legislature

Facebook again hires Sebastian Aleksander for 2017 session

Craft distilleries hire lobbyists for upcoming session

Ballard Partners will continue repping daily fantasy sports sites

Nick DiCeglie blasts Darryl Rouson’s Electoral College reform bill

Doug Holder registers to lobby Legislature

Legislation would allow lawmakers to override judges’ rulings

Emily Slosberg at odds with Palm Beach legislative delegation over local texting while driving bills

Anitere Flores files bill aimed at decriminalizing youth