Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 14, 2017

Social media reaction was hard and swift this weekend against state Sen. George Gainer, the Panama City Republican who filed legislation last session to remove liability for drivers who “unintentionally” hurt or kill protesters or others “obstruct(ing)” traffic. On Saturday, Gainer tweeted, “If I do not love, I am nothing,” quoting Paul’s First Epistle to […]

Jim RosicaAugust 9, 2017

State senators on Wednesday filed the first tranche of general bills for the 2018 Legislative Session, with an assortment of new ideas and old stand-bys. The old: Sen. Lauren Book, a Broward County Democrat and mother of twins, filed for the second year legislation to exempt diapers from the state’s 6 percent sales tax. An effort this year, which […]

Staff ReportsAugust 4, 2017

A baby’s death and a flying extension ladder, both happening in the late 1990s, resulted in two of the many claim bills already filed for the 2018 Legislative Session. The first, filed by Democratic Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, is for $2.4 million for the death of 5-month-old Nicholas Patnode, who was seen at the Martin County Health […]

Peter SchorschAugust 4, 2017

Two Florida Democrats filed claims bills for the 2018 Legislative session this week, one of which would pay a Franklin County company for trees destroyed in a prescribed burn and another that would compensate a Miami-Dade man for a shaky rape and robbery conviction. Tallahassee Sen. Bill Montford’s SB 34 seeks to compensate Shuler Limited […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 10, 2017

New College of Florida will request more than $3.6 million from the Florida Legislature in fiscal 2018 to help continue its effort to grow enrollment. The New College of Florida board of trustees on Monday voted to approve its fiscal 2018-19 legislative budget request. The 2018 request includes a single item — more than $3.63 million […]

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2017

Florida lawmakers will head back to Tallahassee in mid-September to kick-off the 2018 Legislative Session. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran outlined the interim committee week schedule in memos to their respective members Thursday. The schedule, as it stands right now, includes one week in September, two weeks in October and November, […]

Michael MolineMay 23, 2017

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam suggested that the departure of two key aides from his campaign for governor was no big deal. “You’re always adjusting and modifying as you move forward,” Putnam said, adding that he wished both ex-staffers well. Speaking to reporters following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Putnam emphasized the crowds at his campaign stops […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 18, 2016

Mark your calendar, changes could be coming to the 2018 Legislative Session. The House State Affairs Committee OK’d a proposal (HB 7103) that moves the start of the 2018 session up to January. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Jeanette Nunez, a Miami Republican, sailed through the committee on Thursday. In odd-number years, the state constitution […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2016

As lawmakers get ready to consider another early Legislative Session for 2018, this year’s early Session so far has been a mixed bag for Tallahassee’s hospitality businesses. “We’re not a big fan of it,” said John McCarroll, general manager of the Hotel Duval, saying his group reservations have been dropping out more often this year, […]

Tag: 2018 Legislative Session

George Gainer takes a licking on social media

Senators begin filing general bills for 2018 Session

Government negligence from the ’90s leads to claim bills

Pair of claims bills filed for 2018 session

New College of Florida to request $3.6M from state as part of three-year growth plan

Legislative leaders announce committee week schedule

Adam Putnam plays down aides’ departure from his campaign for governor

Proposal to move 2018 Session to January heads to House floor

Early Session a mixed bag for downtown Tallahassee businesses