Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschOctober 22, 2015

I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting with Andy Gardiner at his home, but, based on his tenure as president of the Florida Senate, I have to wonder whether his house has working electricity, much less cable or Wi-Fi. That’s because Gardiner hates technology. To employ one of Daniel Ruth‘s gimmicks, Gardiner apparently represents the […]

Drew WilsonOctober 20, 2015

A bill that would create a program recognizing businesses that hire or support disabled workers cleared its first Senate committee stop Tuesday by a unanimous vote. SB 388 directs the Department of Economic Opportunity to work with CareerSource Florida to develop the Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, chaired by the bill’s sponsor, […]

Gary FineoutOctober 19, 2015

Despite a bumpy and contentious year, the Republican-led Florida Legislature returns to the state Capitol on Monday with the goal of trying to draw up new maps for 40 state Senate districts. It’s the third Special Session of the year for legislators, and also marks the third time that lawmakers have altered the boundaries of […]

Guest AuthorOctober 17, 2015

I attended the annual Tallahassee ritual Wednesday when politicians address the media and take some questions. The Republicans talked in generalities at the AP Legislative Planning Session and, for the most part, refused to respond to direct questions with direct answers. The Democrats, because they have absolutely no power in Florida government, mostly complained. Nonetheless, […]

Ryan RayOctober 16, 2015

The office of Republican Majority Leader Sen. Bill Galvano on Friday released a detailed outline of the schedule lawmakers will follow as they redraw Senate maps in accordance with a consent judgement wherein the chamber admitted it violated the state constitution during the decennial redistricting process in 2011. A quick look at the schedule the majority leader wants […]

Guest AuthorOctober 16, 2015

I attended the annual Tallahassee ritual Wednesday when politicians address the media and take some questions. The Republicans talked in generalities at the AP Legislative Planning Session and, for the most part, refused to respond to direct questions with direct answers. The Democrats, because they have absolutely no power in Florida government, mostly complained. Nonetheless, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2015

House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford has been named the new chief executive officer of Florida CHAIN (Community Health Action Information Network), a statewide advocacy organization for health care consumers. The hire was announced in a Thursday press release. He starts Nov. 1. Because of term limits, the 49-year-old Pafford is serving his last term as a state […]

Mitch PerryOctober 15, 2015

Good morning once again from the Motel 6 ($50 a night) in Tallahassee, where this reporter spent his Wednesday hearing from Florida state leaders and U.S. Senate candidates (and had our slumber disturbed by a man shouting obscenities to someone on his cellphone in the motel’s parking lot at midnight!) What we learned: Rick Scott […]

Mitch PerryOctober 14, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner says state legislators have to be careful not to make priorities out of “second-tier proposals” that don’t fully address the problems with a lack of health care coverage. “If you don’t have insurance, it doesn’t matter how many new programs you create, you’re still not going to have access,” he said Wednesday […]

Mitch PerryOctober 14, 2015

The intense divide between the Florida House and Senate this year was so intense that House Speaker Steve Crisafulli led his members out of the chambers three days prematurely this past April, leading for the first of a series of special sessions in 2015. Speculation surfaced that the enmity between Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner was still present, […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner
Image via AP.

Senate President Andy Gardiner hates technology

Bill to recognize businesses who support disabled workers clears first hurdle

It’s map-drawing time again for Florida legislators

Tom O’Hara: Banner plane delivered highlight of AP Legislative Planning Day

Senate Majority Leader outlines proposed schedule for redistricting Session

Tom O’Hara: Banner plane delivered highlight of AP Legislative Planning Day

Mark Pafford tapped to head health care group

Mitch Perry Report for 10.15.15 – Notes from AP Legislative Day in Tally

Andy Gardiner “wrong again” on health care, Americans for Prosperity says

Steve Crisafulli says it’s amazing “anything” gets passed in GOP-led Legislature