Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

Hundreds of immigration activists held a rally on the fourth floor of the state Capitol in Tallahassee on Wednesday, blasting state lawmakers for producing a raft of bills this Session that the protesters consider hostile to the immigration community. Those activists received good news this past week, though, when Miami Republican Miguel Diaz de la Portillan, chairman […]

Scott PowersFebruary 16, 2016

Orlando’s theme park behemoths – mostly Walt Disney companies – have already poured $2.77 million into campaign and political committees and parties for this election cycle so far, preferring Republicans by almost 3 to 1 over Democrats. Disney, as usual, leads the way, with a combination of cash and in-kind services (typically providing tickets or […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 12, 2016

A bill aiming to help Floridians with disabilities find work and get job training passed through the full Senate Thursday with a unanimous vote. Senate Bill 962, sponsored by Niceville Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, requires the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, or VR, to come up with an improvement plan by Oct. 1 that lays out […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 11, 2016

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Separated by nearly $1 billion in spending and differences over everything from tax cuts to health care spending, the Florida Legislature has less than a month left in its regular session to reach a deal on a new state budget. Although Republican legislators stress they won’t have a repeat of infighting that marred their negotiations […]

Scott PowersFebruary 10, 2016

Two years ago Thursday Orange County Deputy Sheriff Jonathan “Scott” Pine was gunned down while pursuing a suspect. On Wednesday the Florida Senate did all it could to make sure his surviving family – and others – won’t have to wait another year for financial security. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 7012, which would increase […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 4, 2016

Want your state senator to support ride-booking legislation? Don’t worry, there’s a petition for that. On Thursday, Uber launched a statewide petition drive to urge Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and the Florida Senate to pass ride-booking legislation. The push comes about a week after the Florida House passed a bill (HB 509) that creates […]

Associated PressFebruary 2, 2016

The Republican-led Florida Legislature is asking a federal judge to dismiss the House and Senate from an ongoing lawsuit challenging the state’s congressional map. Lawyers for the House and Senate filed the request Tuesday. The state Supreme Court last month approved a new map for Florida’s 27 congressional districts that will result in changes to […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 1, 2016

Bills that would iron out rules for direct primary care contracts and encourage healthcare companies to give free health care to low-income Floridians passed the Senate Committee on Health Policy Monday. SB 1144, sponsored by Niceville Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, would allow new medical facilities to bypass a lengthy review process known as “certificate of […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 30, 2016

Darren Soto was the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to be elected to the Florida Senate. The Orlando Democrat, a commercial and civil rights attorney, is now working to become the first in the U.S. Congress from Florida by winning the 9th Congressional District But he has an array of competing Democrats with more […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 29, 2016

State Sen. Joe Negron, a former budget panel chief, told his colleagues last month in an acceptance speech for his upcoming Senate presidency that the state must do more for its troubled children and teens. “We should not and we will not tolerate serious wrongdoing by young people but, at the same time, let’s not criminalize adolescence,” he said, […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner
Image via David Silvers.

Immigration activists descend upon Tallahassee

Orlando’s theme park companies pour at least $2.77 million into state politics

Senate unanimously passes job training bill for Floridians with disabilities

Legislature divided over budget, tax cuts

Senate approves first responders’ survivors’ benefit bill honoring Orange County deputy

Uber launches petition drive to urge Senate to pass ride-booking legislation

Legislature wants to be dropped from federal redistricting lawsuit

Senate committee passes 2 key bills expanding health care access

Darren Soto running in interwoven race for 9th Congressional District

Senate budget eliminates direct funding for youth mentoring