Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 1, 2018

The Associated Industries of Florida on Tuesday released a report measuring how closely Florida lawmakers’ votes aligned with its interests. The conservative business group’s 2018 Voting Records report found a slight uptick in lawmaker support for AIF-backed legislation, with 78 percent of the Senate and 91 percent of the House voting in favor of its […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2018

Lawmakers have moved from informal talks to exchanging offers toward a Special Session on gambling, sources said late Monday. That’s despite an agreement announced last week between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida guaranteeing that the Tribe will keep sharing gaming revenue from its casinos at least till May 2019. The impetus behind the Special Session effort is a […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2018

It’s another happy day at Hard Rock. Gov. Rick Scott Wednesday announced an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that “extends the Tribe’s current commitment to make (gambling) revenue sharing payments to the state through May 2019.” The tribe operates Hard Rock-branded and other casinos in Florida, including the flagship Hard […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2018

There’ll be no “toilet-to-tap” in Florida this year. Gov. Rick Scott on Friday vetoed a water-related measure (HB 1149) from the 2018 Legislative Session, which includes a contentious provision that’s come to be known as “toilet-to-tap.” The proposal would have allowed chemically treated, recycled water to be pumped into the state’s underground aquifer, an effort supporters say will […]

Staff ReportsApril 6, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday acted on the last of the bills passed during the 2018 Legislative Session, signing 17 and vetoing one that had become known as the “toilet-to-tap” bill. Bills OK’d by the governor will “increase student access to computer science instruction,” increase penalties for trespassing at airports, and devolve reviews of “developments […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2018

The war of words between gaming industry lobbyist Marc Dunbar and No Casinos head John Sowinski continued Friday. Sowinski, the organization’s president, released an “open letter” admonishing Dunbar that he won’t “fool Florida voters” about a gambling-related constitutional amendment on November’s ballot. Sowinski also chairs Voters In Charge, the political committee behind the proposed “Voter Control of […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2018

Despite a legal right to cut off the money, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has decided to continue paying the state its share of Indian casino gambling revenue each month. The Tribe “confirmed” its decision Tuesday night, according to its outside counsel, Barry Richard of the Greenberg Traurig firm, who participated in a conference call. The Tribe pays $19.5 […]

Jim RosicaApril 3, 2018

Despite increasing calls for and against a Special Legislative Session on gambling, the Seminole Tribe‘s lawyer continues to back his client’s promise to keep paying millions to the state. “They’re not just going to stop paying just because they have the right to,” said Barry Richard on Tuesday. That said, if lawmakers come back with […]

Jim RosicaApril 2, 2018

The head of a group that opposes casino gambling in Florida is telling lawmakers to take a pass on a Special Session for unresolved gambling issues. “If ever there was an issue that the Legislature has already spent too much time, energy, intellectual capacity and political capital, it is gambling,” No Casinos president John Sowinski wrote […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 2, 2018

Only a few months away from new sweeping opioid laws taking effect, rule makers are acting quickly to develop methods to implement the new changes without overburdening professionals — particularly pharmacists — with an inundation of new rules and responsibilities. The Florida Board of Pharmacy, which is charged with updating administrative code to include the […]

Tag: 2018 Legislative Session

Republican lawmakers earn high grades on Associated Industries’ report card

Lawmakers swapping deals toward Special Session on gambling

Deal ’em: Rick Scott, Seminole Tribe agree on gambling money

Rick Scott vetoes ‘toilet-to-tap’ measure

Clearing the desk: Rick Scott signs last bills of 2018, vetoes one

No Casinos won’t fold ’em: Letter skirmish with lobbyist continues

All in: Seminole Tribe says it will keep paying state

Seminole Tribe’s lawyer says same old gambling proposals ‘won’t fly’

No Casinos on Special Session for gambling: Don’t do it

Pharmacy panel weighs implementation of new opioid laws