Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 10, 2016

The new rules of the Florida House of Representatives, among other things, will increase the ban on former members lobbying their colleagues from two years to six years, and prohibit state representatives from flying in aircraft owned, leased, or otherwise paid for by lobbyists. That’s according to a final copy of the rules, released Thursday […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 10, 2016

Senate President-designate Joe Negron has picked a longtime ally to be his right hand woman in the Senate. The Stuart Republican announced Thursday he selected Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican, to serve as Senate president pro tempore. The appointment is effective Nov. 22, when the Legislature convenes for its organizational session. “The role of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 10, 2016

Florida House members better get used to flying commercial. House Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran is expected to announce new rules Thursday, including one that would prohibit members from flying on planes owned, leased, or paid for by lobbyists. The proposed rule change is meant to end a common practice among lawmakers and the influence industry, according […]

Peter SchorschNovember 2, 2016

With all eyes focused on Election Day and who will be in office next year, The Children’s Campaign announced its policy priorities for the 2017 legislative Session. “Although the media circus surrounding the contest has created an environment where it’s hard to see anything else, the non-partisan Children’s Campaign has kept its focus on the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 14, 2016

Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano will push for ridesharing legislation, saying this week the state needs a “single, unified approach” to the new transportation sector. In a guest editorial in The Bradenton Herald, Galvano said if Florida wants to continue to attract the next generation of innovators, the state “must solidify, through legislation and strategic […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 26, 2016

State Rep. Kathleen Peters on Monday said she’ll sponsor legislation next session to require public notification “of contamination to our environment within 24 hours.” “The public deserves notification when there are pollutants being introduced to our environment,” she said in a statement. “Our water is one of our most precious resources; it is life. I remain committed […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 19, 2016

The calendars are set. House and Senate leadership announced Monday the schedule for interim committee meetings. Both chambers will head to Tallahassee for committee meetings in December, before meeting for two weeks in January and three weeks in February. According to memos to members, the Florida House will hold committee meetings from Dec. 5 through […]

Peter SchorschAugust 26, 2016

It’s been several years since the war ended. Many of the veterans who fought the battles of this war are no longer with us. All that’s left are the headlines declaring the end of hostilities. I am referring, of course, to the “Eyeball Wars” that raged through the last decade and the beginning of this […]

Jim RosicaAugust 11, 2016

Budget season has begun in Tallahassee with the release of financial “outlooks” that state agencies rely on to come up with their yearly budget requests. The numbers, released Thursday, give agency heads some idea of a baseline. Of course, they’re sure to ebb and flow between now and the 2017 Legislative Session. Most importantly, as LobbyTools points […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

A brain-damaged Pasco County woman and a deceased Florida State football player are again the subjects of claim bills filed in the Florida Legislature. According to the Florida Senate website, 22 of the bills — also known as relief acts — were turned in Monday. Under the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity, Florida law limits local […]

Tag: 2017 Legislative Session

Richard Corcoran rolls out new rules, says House will ‘set the standard for others’

Joe Negron picks Anitere Flores to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore

Richard Corcoran to lobbyists: Cool your jets

The Children’s Campaign announces policy ‘wish list’ for 2017 Legislative Session

Bill Galvano backs statewide ride-sharing legislation

Kathleen Peters plans to file transparency legislation

Florida House, Senate set interim 2017 committee meeting schedule

Will Florida’s ‘eyeball wars’ flare up again doing the 2017 Legislative Session?

State economists get ready for yearly budget

Claim bills filed for 2017 Legislative Session