Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 19, 2018

Groups representing both ends of the political spectrum announced they would join forces in opposition to a Constitution Revision Commission proposal that would change the vote threshold for ballot initiatives to pass. Citizens in Charge, which has backed initiatives imposing term limits on politicians, and Florida Conservation Voters, which pushed the Water and Land Conservation […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 2, 2018

The state Legislature is split on appropriations for programs funded through Florida Forever — by nearly $172 million. The House wants to fund projects under the state’s land-buying trust at $36 million. A Friday budget offer from the Senate proposed close to a $208 million spend on the same programs — just ahead of the […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 12, 2018

One of the state’s leading business lobbies is cheering the defeat of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have expanded the right to bring environmental-related lawsuits. The Constitution Revision Commission‘s Judicial Committee on Friday unanimously voting against the measure (P23). “This unnecessary proposal would have opened up not only Florida businesses, but private citizens as well, […]

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2017

Business interests brought out a panoply of former state officials, judges and others Tuesday to heap criticism on a proposed state constitutional amendment to expand the right to bring environmental-related lawsuits. But one environmental advocate countered there was no potential for a “parade of horribles” to come out of the amendment. The Florida Chamber of […]

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 […]

Staff ReportsMay 3, 2017

The Senate accepted the House offer on the agriculture and natural resources portion of the budget, agreeing not to set aside any money for Florida Forever in 2017-18. The $3.6 billion plan zeros out funding for land acquisition. Sen. Rob Bradley said the budget includes $13.3 million — $5 million of which is recurring dollars — […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 27, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott proposed $618 million in tax cuts this week, which included four back to school holidays and reducing the commercial lease tax. “Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ tax package includes a number of cuts which will significantly support Florida’s retailers, including a reduction in the business rent tax, cutting the business tax […]

Mitch PerryNovember 21, 2016

At Tuesday’s Organization Session in Tallahassee, all forty state Senators elected earlier this month will take their oath in office. Both senators representing Hillsborough County, Darryl Rouson and Dana Young, are new to the job, though not to the Legislature. Young returns to Tallahassee having fulfilled her goal of advancing into the Senate after six years in the Florida […]

Staff ReportsOctober 14, 2016

With just a few weeks until the election, organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — the Florida Retail Federation, Florida Conservation Voters, and the NRA Political Victory Fund — issued endorsements. — Neal Dunn has received the backing of the NRA Political Victory Fund. “As a staunch […]

Jim RosicaAugust 4, 2016

Using a favorite joke, state Sen. Jeff Brandes said he had brought together “the Baptists and the bootleggers” in support of his proposed solar-energy constitutional amendment. Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, led a news conference Thursday at Tallahassee’s Florida Press Center. “This is something Republicans and Democrats have come together on,” he told reporters. “It’s about […]

Tag: Aliki Moncrief
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Bipartisan coalition targets CRC proposal 97

House, Senate face $172M difference in Florida Forever funding

Thumbs down: Environmental constitutional amendment defeated

Business interests lambaste environmental amendment

Rob Bradley offers glimmer of hope for fracking ban

Budget deal includes no money for Florida Forever

Capitol Reax: Tax cuts, certificates of need, whiskey and Wheaties, fracking

Darryl Rouson and Dana Young set to start new careers in Florida Senate

Endorsement Watch: Florida Retail Federation, Florida Conservation Voters, NRA issue endorsements

Amendment 4 backers want voters to see the light