Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 4, 2014

For a moment there, it looked like it was time to pull the plug. It was time to call the priest and ask him to deliver the last rites. For a moment there, state Sen. Jack Latvala’s ambitions to be president of the Florida Senate in 2016-18 were in their death throes. This past November, […]

Peter SchorschDecember 2, 2014

As we forecasted last month, Senate President Andy Gardiner today appointed Senator Tom Lee as Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Gardiner also appointed Senator Anitere Flores as Chair of the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy. Senator Lee previously served in the Florida Senate from 1996-2006, including a two-year term as President of the […]

Christine Jordan SextonNovember 18, 2014

Barring a major shift among Republicans it remains unlikely that Florida will move ahead with an expansion of Medicaid, a key component of Obamacare. Florida Gov. Rick Scott two years ago did a turnabout and came out in support of a limited Medicaid expansion for the working poor so long as the federal government paid […]

Christine Jordan SextonOctober 30, 2014

In a possible sign that he is prepared to split power among rival factions in the Florida Senate, incoming President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, is creating a second standing committee to addresses state budget issues. In a memo distributed to state senators on September 22, Gardiner said he is creating a Committee on Fiscal Policy that […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 15, 2014

Labor Day is at least a week into the rearview mirror, so the white pants should be closeted away until next June. The kids are back at school, football has returned to the tube, and, even in Florida, the temperature has dropped a degree or two. In other words, elections are less than two months away. […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2014

Labor Day is at least a week into the rearview mirror, so the white pants should be closeted away until next June. The kids are back at school, football has returned to the tube, and, even in Florida, the temperature has dropped a degree or two. In other words, elections are less than two months away. […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 24, 2014

What a difference a year makes — an election year especially — when it comes to a bike trail connector across Central Florida. In May 2013, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a $50-million appropriation for the “Coast to Coast Connector” that would link 275 miles of bike trails across the region. Scott told reporters last year […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner

Peter Schorsch: State Sen. Jack Latvala’s ambitions to become Senate president still have life

Sen. Prez Andy Gardiner taps Tom Lee for Appropriations Chair, Anitere Flores as Fiscal Policy Chair

Medicaid expansion not likely, legislative leaders say

In possible nod to Negron-Latvala rivalry, Senate President Designate Andy Gardiner lays out committee structure

Five critical political questions leading up to November’s election

Peter Schorsch: Five critical political questions leading up to November’s election

Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Rick Scott and the bike trail: What a difference an election year makes