Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2018

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 More bad news for Senate: After an anonymous website outed them as a couple, state Sens. Oscar Braynon II and Anitere Flores admit to an affair. Shocker: Gov. Rick Scott wants more tax cuts this year, as well as protections for […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2018

A bill that would change texting-while-driving to a ‘primary’ offense unanimously cleared a House committee on Tuesday, the first day of the 2018 Legislative Session. The bill (HB 33), sponsored by Tampa Republican Jackie Toledo and Boca Raton Democrat Emily Slosberg, was considered by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Florida was one of the last states in […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

It’s not uncommon for the House floor to look like a veritable florist’s shop on the first day of a legislative session. But now, Speaker Richard Corcoran is telling members to cool it on displays of blooms and topiary. The 2018 Legislative Session begins next Tuesday. “Only reasonably-sized floral arrangements and live plants will be […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 8, 2018

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Sen. Kevin Rader filed legislation expressly allowing dog trainers to give anabolic steroids to racing greyhounds. Rep. Bill Hager has proposed creating a task force to look at options for moving the Capitol, executive branch offices and Legislature. Democratic candidate for […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2018

A Democratic state Senator from South Florida has filed legislation expressly allowing dog trainers to give anabolic steroids to racing greyhounds. The bill (SB 1774), filed Friday afternoon by Kevin Rader of Delray Beach, is for the 2018 Legislative Session that begins Tuesday. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 12 tracks. The measure […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 8, 2018

The tradition continues. Associated Industries of Florida will host its annual pre-session welcome back reception for legislators, lobbyists and a host of other politicos this evening. Doors open for the ticketed event at 5:30 p.m. “AIF is excited for our annual legislative reception this evening that we’ve been hosting for more than four decades,” AIF President […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 5, 2018

New legislation from state Sen. Dana Young aims to “crack down on for-profit stem-cell clinics that are preying on Florida seniors and other vulnerable Floridians,” her office said Friday. The Tampa Republican’s measure (SB 1508) relates to “use of stem cells in a clinic setting.” It would require stem-cell clinics to: — Register with the Department of Health (DOH). […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2018

A north Florida lawmaker has filed legislation to again allow Gadsden County to hold a “countywide referendum” on authorizing slot machine gambling at a local race track. Rep. Ramon Alexander, a Democrat who represents Gadsden and part of Leon County, filed the bill (HB 1111) Tuesday for the 2018 Legislative Session starting next week. But […]

Staff ReportsDecember 19, 2017

Legislation being called the “Tobacco 21 Act” has been filed for the 2018 Session to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21. Backing this year’s bills (SB 1288, HB 1029) are Sen. David Simmons, a Longwood Republican, and Reps. Don Hahnfeldt of The Villages (a Republican) and Lori Berman of Lantana (a Democrat). “Raising the age […]

Guest AuthorDecember 11, 2017

During the upcoming 2018 Florida Legislative Session, Right on Crime will serve as a resource to lawmakers on the importance of criminal justice reform, breaking down long-held, but unsupported, policy prescriptions. For example, the assumption that to decrease crime, all drug offenders should be subjected to the same mandatory minimum sentences has led to burdensome […]

Tag: 2018 Legislative Session
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Sixty Days for 1.9.18 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

House panel moves texting-while-driving bill

Richard Corcoran: ‘Reasonably-sized’ flowers only, please

Sixty Days for 1.8.18 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

Kevin Rader files bill to legalize steroids in racing dogs

Associated Industries of Florida soirée kicks off 2018 Legislative Session

Dana Young files bill to protect seniors from stem-cell clinics

Bill would pave way for slot machines in north Florida

State could raise smoking age to 21

Chelsea Murphy: Right on Crime; conservative on justice