Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutMay 3, 2015

During the recently-concluded legislative session, Senate President Andy Gardiner constantly warned about the threat to the state’s hospitals if they were to lose more than $1 billion that now comes from the federal government. There’s a good reason Gardiner understands hospitals: he works for one. Gardiner’s employment is legal, but it highlights a common practice […]

Peter SchorschMay 3, 2015

By way of both a disclosure and a jumping off point for this post, I need to make it clear that for two of his previous campaigns, I served as a political consultant to Rep. Matt Gaetz. The expertise I offered, for whatever it was worth, was in the area of social media, including advice on […]

James CallMay 1, 2015

The state Capitol is quiet. Usually the fourth floor rotunda on the last day of Session is packed with lobbyists, lawmakers and staff. The noise of chattering deal-making bounces off the terrazzo floor, travertine marble columns and walls to reach the decibel level of a steroid-fueled chainsaw in a shouting match with an oncoming steam […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 1, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant a writ of mandamus to Senate Democrats seeking to compel the Florida House to return to Tallahassee to finish the 2015 regular legislative session. Five of the seven justices, though, said the House actions violated the state Constitution as Democrats argued. In a unanimous ruling the […]

James CallApril 30, 2015

Now Florida lawmakers are arguing on Twitter. The 2015 Regular Session came to a screeching halt Tuesday when the House adjourned three days before the session’s scheduled end. On Thursday, Senate Democrats filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court to order the House back in session on Friday. Senate Republican leaders say the House’s […]

Bob SparksApril 30, 2015

What a week. First, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Florida is suing the Obama administration over the Medicaid expansion issue. Then, we witnessed some remarkable political gamesmanship when the House adjourned three days early. The words “insurmountable differences” on the budget and Medicaid expansion accompanied the banging gavel in the House […]

Daniel TilsonApril 30, 2015

So, conservative extremists disabled our Florida Legislature this week. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli rocked the ship of state and shocked many of his GOP colleagues when he abruptly adjourned the 2015 session several days early. This, with a state budget and much important legislative work still undone. This, because of an iron-clad commitment by Gov. […]

Brendan FarringtonApril 30, 2015

When it became clear that the House and Senate wouldn’t agree on a budget, Republican Gov. Rick Scott was in California trying to get shipping companies to move to Florida. And when the Legislature was at the point of no return to either pass a budget or go home without completing the one task it’s […]

James CallApril 30, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon ordered the House to respond by 10 a.m. Friday to Senate Democrats’ lawsuit against the lower chamber for adjourning the 2015 Regular Session three days early. After the House replies, the Democrats will have until 12:30 p.m. to answer. Earlier Thursday, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner had asked […]

James CallApril 30, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner wants to schedule three weeks in June for a special session to write a state budget. Gardiner wrote to House Speaker Steve Crisafulli on Thursday, thanking the speaker for a prompt response to his previous letter and acknowledging the House’s intention not to return to Tallahassee prior to the scheduled expiration […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner

Florida legislators push bills tied to their private jobs

Peter Schorsch: Matt Gaetz tweets highlight generational and maturity gap between House and Senate

Deserted Capitol has tourists looking for tumbleweeds

Session over: Court rules against Senate Democrats, but says walkout illegal

Lawmakers tweet insults over budget dispute

Bob Sparks: Do new statements jump-start budget negotiations?

Daniel Tilson: Florida should shun radicalism of Gov. Scott, House Republicans

As lawmakers feud, Rick. Scott visits Ferris wheel, Wawa

High court orders House to answer sine die lawsuit by 10 a.m. Friday

Andy Gardiner proposes 3-week Special Session in June