Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

On Monday, the Florida Senate’s Committee on Higher Education passed Don Gaetz’s Senate Bill 962, which imposes metrics and a performance improvement plan for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The legislation also requires the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to submit a performance report to Governor Rick Scott and presiding officers of the Florida Legislature. “Supporting adults with […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 10, 2016

Lawmakers may be prepared to pass a massive water bill, but that doesn’t mean the battle over Florida’s water woes is over. State lawmakers are expected to take up the measure — HB 7005 and SB 552 — shortly after the annual 60-day session convenes this week. The measure, years in the making, is likely […]

Scott PowersJanuary 6, 2016

Former state representative and former Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart announced Wednesday she is running for the state Senate in Orlando-based District 13. Stewart’s entry into the race creates a matchup of former Democratic representatives who were swept from office in the Republican landslide of 2014, including Stewart and former state Rep. Mike Clelland, who […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 5, 2016

Now that 2015 is history, Florida’s Senate Republican caucus is looking to 2016 with a major fundraiser planned on the eve of the start of the upcoming Legislative Session. The Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee 2016 Welcome Back Reception will be held Monday, January 11 beginning 5:30 p.m. at the Tallahassee Doubletree Hotel Ballroom, 101 S. Adams […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 5, 2016

The Florida Senate’s bronze seal, which usually hangs behind the Senate President’s lectern, was removed this week not only to replace the seal’s depiction of the Confederate flag but also in anticipation of still more design changes, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. In October, the Senate decided to remove a Confederate flag from the chamber’s official seal and replace […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Former Rep. Mike Clelland confirmed speculation he will indeed run for the open state Senate seat vacated by term-limited President Andy Gardiner this year. The former Democratic lawmaker issued a statement Monday corroborating reports — first reported by Florida Politics — he will pursue a return to the statehouse. “Throughout my nearly three decades as a firefighter, I saw firsthand […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

Julie Jones: The head of the embattled state Department of Corrections has been making headlines since her appointment this January, and 2016 promises a no less busy year. Reports of inmate deaths and abuses and criminal activity behind bars have been unfortunate staples of prisons coverage. Earlier this year, Republican state Sen. Greg Evers grew so concerned […]

Guest AuthorDecember 28, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Peter SchorschDecember 17, 2015

As much as we would like to think otherwise, in politics, not everyone can be a winner. To put it another way, as Judge Smails did in the eminently quotable “Caddyshack”: “The world needs ditch-diggers, too.” Few will disagree that 2015 was a particularly fertile political year, one that produced a bumper crop of political disappointments. That’s what […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner

Don Gaetz’s Vocational Rehabilitation bill clears Higher Ed Committee

2016 Legislative Food Fights: Water policy, money for Everglades could be hot topics

Linda Stewart to run for State Senate

Florida Senate Republicans plan major fundraising on eve of Session

State Senate seal could be changing – again

Mike Clelland confirms he’s running for SD 13 seat

Jim Rosica’s top 10 stories of 2015 in state government

Jim Rosica’s 5 people to watch in state government in 2016

Jim Rosica's Top 10 stories of 2015 in state government

Peter Schorsch: The 5 most disappointing Florida politicians of 2015