Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 8, 2017

Call it another small victory for recess. The Senate PreK-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved a bill (SB 78) requiring school districts to provide at least 100 minutes of supervised, unstructured free play each week — or 20 minutes of free play each week — to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. While the bill received […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2017

Legislation to create a statewide civil citation program for juveniles statewide advanced in a Florida Senate Committee Wednesday. But members of the police and sheriffs association continue to resist the bill as currently drawn. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores’ bill (SB 196) would mandate law enforcement officers to offer a civil citation for youths admitting to one of 11 […]

Peter SchorschMarch 7, 2017

The House version of the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill stumbled and then face planted in its second committee hearing Tuesday afternoon. The Walmart-backed HB 81, sponsored by Hialeah Republican Rep. Bryan Avila, would allow grocery stores and other retailers to sell liquor, rather than keeping up the so-called “liquor wall.” The issue is a top priority for […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2017

A coalition of Florida business groups is giving the thumbs-down to state Sen. Anitere Flores’ proposal to pay for a cut in the state’s tax on mobile phone and satellite and cable TV service by repealing a tax break to insurers. The legislation (SB 378) would swap the insurance break for a 2 percent reduction in the state’s communications […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2017

This is the first legislative session that South Florida’s Oscar Braynon II will be the Senate’s Democratic Leader. The 40-year-old, who succeeded term-limited former Leader Arthenia Joyner, was first elected in 2011 after serving in the House and on the Miami Gardens City Council before that. Though he’s in the minority, Braynon has high hopes […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 27, 2017

A privately registered website is urging Gov. Rick Scott to name Sen. Anitere Flores to replace Jeff Atwater when he resigns as the state’s chief financial offer at the end of the coming legislative session. “Ask Gov. Scott to stand with working class Floridians and appoint Flores as our next CFO!” the site, http://www.flores4cfo.com, urges. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2017

In a move sure to ire the insurance industry, state Sen. Anitere Flores is proposing a cut in the state tax on mobile phone and satellite and cable TV service by repealing a tax break to insurers. Flores, the Senate President pro Tempore, on Friday said she was filing legislation (SB 378) to swap the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

It’s never too early in the day to start fundraising. Sen. Denise Grimsley is scheduled to hold a fundraising reception for her 2018 bid for Agriculture Commissioner at 7:30 a.m. on March 7 at Florida Finance Strategies, 111-B East College Avenue in Tallahassee. The reception, according to a copy of the invitation, is hosted by […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2017

Sen. Anitere Flores, Rep. Rene “Coach P” Plasencia, and a throng of “recess moms” spoke with reporters Thursday in support of legislation that would mandate school recess. The Senate Education Committee this week voted unanimously to approve this year’s bill (SB 78). Its House companion (HB 67) has not yet heard a hearing. It requires school districts […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

A wide-sweeping gambling bill is now ready to be heard by the full Senate when the 2017 Legislative Session kicks off next month, after it cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning. The bill (SB 8), sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano, ratifies the 2015 Seminole Compact, subject to the approval of amendments to conform the […]

Tag: Anitere Flores

Mandatory recess bill sails through second Senate committee

Bill to expand juvenile civil citations advances in Senate, law enforcement continues to resist

Hmmm… House’s whiskey & Wheaties bill stumbles in second committee

Business groups oppose tax break swap

2017 Legislative Session preview: Oscar Braynon on juvenile justice, incentives and Chance the Rapper

Mystery website urges Scott to name Anitere Flores chief financial officer

Anitere Flores wants to replace one tax cut with another

Bring on the orange juice: Denise Grimsley schedules breakfast fundraiser for March 7

VIDEO: Lawmakers, supporters speak out on school recess

Senate Appropriations votes 14-2 to OK gambling bill, now cleared for Senate floor