Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonDecember 20, 2016

Republican state Sen. Rene Garcia and freshman Democratic state Rep. Daisy Baez have filed a bill that would give small businesses a tax credit for hiring veterans. The legislation (SB 152) would establish the Veterans Employment Small Business Grant Program, which would give a one-time $3,000 tax credit to businesses for each veteran hired, and a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 19, 2016

A Villages Republican has filed legislation that would require motorcyclists to wear helmets. Rep. Don Hahnfeldt filed a bill (HB 6009) Monday to require all riders to wear helmets when operating a motorcycle. The bill strikes the section of the law that current allows riders to operate a motorcycle without a helmet. Under current law, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 12, 2016

Florida could be the latest state to consider repealing the “tampon tax.” Rep. Katie Edwards filed a bill in November that would exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from Florida’s sales tax. The Plantation Democrat said she began thinking about the filing a bill last year, after listening to a debate about a wide-ranging […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 12, 2016

State lawmakers will once again try to strengthen the state’s texting while driving during the 2017 Legislative Session. Two bills have already been filed in the Florida House aimed at beefing up the state’s texting while driving ban. The first — House Bill 47, sponsored by Reps. Richard Stark and Emily Slosberg — removes language from […]

Peter SchorschDecember 9, 2016

It will come as no surprise that trial lawyers are looking to shoot the moon this Legislative Session. They already made a power play during the 2016 election cycle. The Florida Justice Association, through its political committee Florida Justice PAC, spent $4.5 million since the beginning of 2015, much of which went to candidates or […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 5, 2016

Florida lawmakers could once again consider whether computer coding classes should be counted as a foreign language credit. Sen. Jeff Brandes filed legislation Monday to allow Florida high schools to offer computer coding classes that “along with the earning of a related industry certification satisfies two credits of sequential foreign language instruction.” Senate Bill 104 […]

Staff ReportsDecember 1, 2016

Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation to implement a constitutional amendment to give tax breaks to companies that buy and install solar devices and equipment. The St. Petersburg Republican filed Senate Bill 90, the Amendment 4 implementing bill Thursday. “The voters of Florida spoke loud and clear that they expect the sunshine state to make […]

Larry GriffinDecember 1, 2016

Governor Rick Scott announced Thursday that he intended to propose a 5 percent pay raise for all state law enforcement, which would then be voted on early next year by legislature. Standing with a host of local and state law enforcement officials outside the Florida Highway Patrol office in Orlando, Scott praised law enforcement for […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 29, 2016

A push for mandatory play time at Florida’s elementary schools will once again be on the agenda during the 2017 legislative session. Sen. Anitere Flores filed legislation Tuesday that would require school to provide “at least 100 minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free play recess” each week. The mandatory recess would apply to students […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 28, 2016

Sen. Jeff Brandes will once again file legislation to repeal the state’s no-fault auto insurance requirement, saying it’s time for Florida to move away from the troubled system. The St. Petersburg Republican said repealing the state’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system will be one of his top priorities during the 2017 legislative session. The decision […]

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

Bill: Businesses hiring vets would get tax breaks

Helmets would be required for motorcyclists under proposed bill

Florida lawmakers could tackle “tampon tax” in 2017

Emily Slosberg files bill to strengthen texting while driving law

Trial lawyers must be very happy with Florida Senate committee assignments

Jeff Brandes files computer coding as foreign language bill

Jeff Brandes files Amendment 4 implementing bill

Rick Scott wants 5% raise for state law-enforcement

Anitere Flores to push for mandatory recess during 2017 session

Repealing PIP, implementing Amendment 4 top priorities for Jeff Brandes in 2017