Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 4, 2017

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Gov. Rick Scott’s top lawyer turned down a request to appoint a special prosecutor from the attorney representing the Senate staffer accusing Sen. Jack Latvala of sexual harassment. Ritch Workman, a former House member and Scott appointee to the Public Service […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2017

A change to the state’s “lost and found” law could help needy Floridians, its sponsor says. State Rep. Bobby Olszewski, a Winter Garden Republican, filed a bill (HB 851) to allow “lost or abandoned personal property” at a “theme park or entertainment complex” to be donated to charity. Specifically, his measure—which also includes zoos, museums and aquariums—allows […]

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for 2018 to fill the seat vacated by former state Rep. Neil Combee in House District 39, serving parts of Polk and Osceola counties. Scott set a primary election for Feb. 20, 2018, and a general election for May 1. That would keep the seat open until […]

Peter SchorschNovember 27, 2017

Foxes and hen houses and public notices, oh my. The Gannett newspaper chain’s Florida properties, or “USA Today Network-Florida” as they like to be called, are raising the alarm once again over public notices, this time with a full-color, half-page ad. Florida law ensures Old Media a monopoly by requiring meeting notices and other legal […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2017

A top senator is leaving open the possibility that a proposed ban on ‘fracking’ in Florida will be considered in the 2018 Legislative Session. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican who recently was named chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also leads the chamber’s Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee. That’s the first committee of reference […]

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2017

The state’s Senate President and House Speaker could get an indirect say over judicial appointments—including state Supreme Court justices—under legislation filed Monday. The bill (HB 753), filed by Pensacola state Rep. Frank White—also a 2018 GOP candidate for attorney general—would allow the top Senate and House leaders to appoint people to judicial nominating commissions (JNCs), the […]

Staff ReportsNovember 17, 2017

With the House of Representatives now trying to take out community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), the head of the Florida Redevelopment Association is fighting back. “Community redevelopment agencies breathe new life into communities that have been neglected or forgotten, and their impact goes far beyond the buildings and roads they help develop,” said Carol Westmoreland, executive director of […]

Peter SchorschNovember 16, 2017

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Senate President Joe Negron has hired the GrayRobinson law firm to represent the chamber in the investigation into the sexual harassment claims against Sen. Jack Latvala. In a related story, a lawyer for one of the accusers said state Reps. Chris […]

Peter SchorschNovember 15, 2017

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 A Florida court sided with Gov. Rick Scott that emergency generator rules for elder care facilities can stay in effect while they are in the appeals process. Meanwhile, South Florida Democrats are aiming to improve nursing homes by encouraging greater use […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2017

A ‘clean’ workers’ compensation bill is headed to the House floor after the Commerce Committee rejected a series of amendments pitched as worker-friendly Tuesday. The bill (PCB COM 18-01) cleared the panel on a vote of 18-8. It closely follows legislation the full House approved during the spring Legislative Session, in that it encourages injured […]

Tag: 2018 Legislative Session

Sixty Days for 12.4.17 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

Bill tweaks state law on theme parks’ ‘lost and found’

Rick Scott sets spring special election to replace Neil Combee in House

Battle over public notices heating up again

Rob Bradley offers glimmer of hope for fracking ban

Legislative leaders could get influence over judicial appointments

FRA head strikes back: ‘Redevelopment is about the people’

Sixty Days for 11.16.17 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

Sixty Days for 11.15.17 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

House pressing on with workers’ comp reform