Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMay 12, 2015

Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner is telling state senators that taxpayers will pay their legal bills as part of an ongoing lawsuit over state Senate districts. The top lawyer in the Senate this month told 19 senators that Gardiner has approved a $5,000 stipend for them to hire their own attorneys. The groups challenging state […]

Mitch PerryMay 11, 2015

After being passed over for funding during the past couple of legislative sessions, members of the film, television and digital media community in Florida crossed their fingers long before the 2015 session started. They hoped this would be the year the state’s film tax incentive program would be replenished. It used up all of its funding a […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2015

The picture to the right is of the dock in front of the beach house where the Griswolds, er, the Schorsches are vacationing this week. This was supposed to be a recuperative, post-session retreat, and although it has been an enjoyable time here in St. Augustine, it feels like just a break before the next […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2015

Thursday, at the end of our story about Sen. Jack Latvala hiring uber fundraiser Meredith O’Rourke to raise money for his political committee, we noted that Ashley Ross had gone to work for Latvala’s rival, Joe Negron. Concurrent with our story, talk circulated that Ross had been fired from the Republican Party of Florida by Senate […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 7, 2015

Just 231 bills passed in the the dysfunctional 2015 session. Most of them, legislative reports show, remain in the Legislature. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner have been slow to release bills to Gov. Rick Scott. The House passed 154 bills, memorials, and local bills that require gubernatorial action. One hundred fifty […]

Mitch PerryMay 7, 2015

Social conservatives in Florida are urging Gov. Rick Scott to veto an adoption bill because it lacks a “conscience protection” provision for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies. CS-HB 7013 was a bill strongly supported by Senate President Andy Gardiner when the session began. It re-creates a program to provide a financial benefit of $5,000 or $10,000 […]

James CallMay 6, 2015

Expect Florida lawmakers to spend a long hot summer in Tallahassee. Plus, they will be at the state Capitol for a pretty contentious fall as well. And they just might, with a little luck, be able to fit in a holiday break before returning for the 2016 Legislative Session in January. That’s the consensus of a handful […]

James CallMay 6, 2015

Florida lawmakers will return to the state Capitol June 1 for a special session. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner have agreed to call a special session for June 1 through June 20. In a joint memo to the Legislature, Crisafulli and Gardiner said a schedule needs to be finalized and that […]

Ryan RayMay 5, 2015

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The popular ridesharing app company Uber is appealing to the public for support in its effort to persuade lawmakers to include legislation to regulate its industry in the call for a Special Session. “We need your help to make sure the Legislature doesn’t go home again without taking up ridesharing legislation during the special session,” the […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 4, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott reappointed 16 state agency executives by late Monday, all of whom weren’t confirmed by the Senate this spring. Scott reappointed Jon Steverson as interim executive director of the Department of Environmental Protection Secretary and appointed Rick Swearingen as an interim executive director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Those agencies report to […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

State Senate will pay legal bills for 19 senators

Film Florida wants incentives bill included in Special Session

Takeaways from Tallahassee, er, St. Augustine

From the Not News Dep’t: Ashley Ross wasn’t fired

Rick Scott has no bills in his office to sign or veto

Florida Family Action urges Rick Scott to veto adoption bill

Reporters’ roundtable: Lawmakers back again, and again, to Tallahassee

Speaker, Senate president agree to Special Session dates

Uber wants ridesharing on agenda during Special Session

Andy Gardiner defends appointment record; Rick Scott reappoints 2