Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

A mid-winter conference of Florida’s elections supervisors usually serves as a social affair, maybe a discussion on changing ballot technology. But on the heels of a historic statewide recount, the upcoming event in Sarasota will likely entail more than just mingling. Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner agreed to host the Florida State Association of […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort […]

Ryan RayApril 5, 2016

The Department of Management Services’ Joint Task Force panel detailed on Tuesday how $7 million allocated for state law enforcement radios last year will be spent, possibly giving a clue into how another $7 million appropriated for SLERS during the 2016 Legislative Session may be allocated as well. The funding item has been the topic of a […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2016

Aiming to protect children’s dental insurance under Medicaid, GOP lawmakers held a news conference on Day 60 of the 2016 Legislative Session. They sought support for the bill, which separates kids’ Medicaid dental insurance from other medical coverage, and to avert a possible veto from Gov. Rick Scott. Senate President-designate Joe Negron and Rep. Jose Felix Diaz spoke to […]

Ryan RayMarch 9, 2016

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that critics say would curtail women’s access to safe and legal abortions, while supporters say it simply “gets Florida out of the abortion business.” The measure to increase medical requirements on abortion clinics, sponsored by Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel, passed 25-15 after nearly half an hour of debate. […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

An amended version of a bill reforming several laws and policies at the Department of Financial Services passed the Senate unanimously. LobbyTools reports that HB 651 is now headed back to the House. The bill, in part, creates a new grant program for volunteer fire departments and specifies that employees of state universities, special districts […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

Sen. Don Gaetz is hoping to breathe new life into a proposal that allows concealed weapon permit holders to openly carry their weapons. The Niceville Republican filed an amendment Wednesday evening to a bill (SB 612) sponsored by Sen. Alan Hays that looks to remove slungshots from the state’s concealed weapon law. Hays’ bill allows […]

Ryan RayFebruary 29, 2016

The Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations/General Government Appropriations conference committee held their final meeting of the 2016 Session on Monday, but the late-evening meeting did not bring final closure on several unresolved line items. The House and Senate proposals remained just $6 million apart in terms of bottom-line figures – out of a mammoth $2.7 billion […]

Ryan RayFebruary 29, 2016

The Committee on Government Operations Appropriations/General Government Appropriation held its fourth and final meeting of the budget conferencing period Monday morning. Chairwoman Rep. Jeanette Nunez and Vice Chairman Sen. Alan Hays closed out “back of the bill” differences, but couldn’t agree on about a dozen line items. They will be “bumped up” for consideration by chief budget writers […]

Ryan RayFebruary 28, 2016

An obscure but heated battle over a state contract potentially worth hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money is at stake as budget conferees continue to hammer out differences between House and Senate proposals. At issues is the radio equipment law enforcement agents use to communicate. Problems with communication gear have led to the deaths of several […]

Tag: Alan Hays

Elections conference likely to touch on reform

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

State police radio funding, next procurement to begin this summer

Lawmakers make case for dental carve-out bill at Session’s end

Legislature passes new strictures on abortion clinics

Senate passes reforms for Department of Financial Services

Don Gaetz files amendment in attempt to resurrect open carry of guns proposal

Ag & Natural Resources budget panel wraps up talks

Government ops budgets inch closer but law enforcement radios dispute remains

State police radio replacement dispute becomes budget conference sticking point