Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 11, 2018

New and returning lawmakers had their mandatory ethics training on Tuesday, covering everything from the obvious — don’t take a bribe — to the nuanced — if you’re given a bottle of water, pay for it. House General Counsel Adam Tanenbaum presented to his members in the morning, while Senate General Counsel Jeremiah Hawkes gave […]

Ryan NicolDecember 8, 2018

Members of the Miami-Dade legislative delegation were on hand Friday to hear pitches from the community ahead of the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session. And while a diverse set of voices were heard, the issues of housing, education and the environment were touched on throughout the meeting. Friday’s gathering was held at the Miami-Dade County School Board […]

Scott PowersDecember 6, 2018

Citing the chilling national revelations about sexual assault cases involving Palm Beach financier Jeffrey Epstein and a case involving an Orlando woman, state Sen. Linda Stewart filed a bill Thursday to remove the statute of limitations in cases involving alleged rapes of children under 18. “Many young sexual battery victims do not come forward when they are first […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 29, 2018

State Rep. Chris Latvala says he will file “Jordan’s Law,” a measure that would put protections in place for children to prevent them from becoming victims of abuse or neglect. The proposed law is named for Jordan Belliveau, the 2-year-old Largo boy whose body was found in the woods behind the Largo Sports Complex after his mother, Charisse Stinson, […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

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State Sen. Rob Bradley is renewing for the second straight year his quest to protect Floridians’ vegetable gardens — local ordinances notwithstanding. This year’s bill (SB 82) by the Fleming Island Republican would eliminate as “void and unenforceable” local jurisdiction over front yard gardens. The goal: Facilitating “the development of sustainable cultivation of vegetables and fruits at […]

Staff ReportsNovember 28, 2018

A West Palm Beach lawmaker has again filed a bill to increase the threshold by which voters must approve changes to the state’s governing document. Republican state Rep. Rick Roth filed the measure (HJR 57) on Wednesday. It would boost to two-thirds — or 66.66 percent — the margin by which a constitutional amendment must be […]

Ryan NicolNovember 27, 2018

New state Sen. Manny Diaz may just be readying for his first Legislative Session, but he’s already nabbed a committee chairmanship after being named to head the Senate’s Education Committee. Diaz spoke to Florida Politics about his plans for the state’s education system, including a continued push for charter school support, and an expansion of […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 27, 2018

There may be new legislative leadership, but old lawmaking sticking points are shaping up to remain unchanged. The Florida League of Cities, for example, recently unveiled its legislative priorities for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session. Perennial issues line the group’s platform. But most fit under the ideological umbrella of Home Rule, the idea that local […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 26, 2018

The Tampa Bay region is well-represented in Tallahassee for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session, at least in the Senate. Not only is Senate President Bill Galvano from the region — his district covers parts of southern Hillsborough County and Manatee County — but several other senators from the region have been posted to leadership positions. […]

Christine Jordan SextonNovember 26, 2018

Have no doubt: Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva wants to expand access to health care by expanding the scope of practice for Florida nurses. He also wants less government regulation in Florida’s health care delivery system and more free-market principles. Oliva, though, denies that reconfiguring the state’s health care delivery system will be his personal […]

Tag: 2019 legislative session

‘You can’t strike fear‘: Lawmakers gets ethics tips

Miami-Dade delegation hears pitches on housing, environment, education

Linda Stewart seeking to eliminate statute of limitations on rapes of minors

Chris Latvala plans to file child protection bill

Garden party: Rob Bradley renews fight for front-yard horticulture

Bill again filed to make it harder to amend Constitution

Manny Diaz preaches need for school choice

Familiar issues top Florida League of Cities’ legislative priorities

Tampa Bay lawmakers get Senate committee leadership posts

Jose Oliva: State’s health care is ‘behind the curve’