Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2017

A new report issued Monday urges state lawmakers in Florida to expand initiatives in community-based treatment for wayward youth, saying it is less expensive and results in better outcomes than going through the incarceration route. “Florida is spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to run state and county youth detention centers, while evidence shows that locking […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

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A Senate bill to remove the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods won approval from a second committee, clearing it to be considered by the full Senate. The bill sparked an unexpected objection from National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer after an amendment came up banning liquor from being sold in the same […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

State Sen. Bill Galvano Wednesday filed an amendment to this year’s “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation to “slow its implementation so it doesn’t come into the marketplace all at once.” The bill (SB 106), filed for four years running, would repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 27, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott proposed $618 million in tax cuts this week, which included four back to school holidays and reducing the commercial lease tax. “Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ tax package includes a number of cuts which will significantly support Florida’s retailers, including a reduction in the business rent tax, cutting the business tax […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2017

Even though the bill sailed through its first committee, state Sen. Anitere Flores Thursday said she would tweak her “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation to make sure it wouldn’t apply to gas station convenience stores. The Senate Regulated Industries committee cleared the bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 23, 2017

A bill to set up a civil citation program for juveniles statewide advanced Monday through a Florida Senate committee. However, questions about removing officer discretion may need to be addressed before the proposal gets widespread support from lawmakers later this Session. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores’ bill (SB 196) would mandate law enforcement officers to offer a civil citation […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2017

For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers will try to tear down the wall that separates tequila from tangelos. Senate President pro tem Anitere Flores has a bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores to sell liquor. State Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican, filed a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 5, 2017

A pair of controversial gun bills in the Florida Senate will not be discussed during committee meetings next week According to the Senate calendar, a Judiciary Committee meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday has been cancelled. The committee, which is chaired by Sen. Greg Steube, was set to take up two gun bills during the […]

Joe HendersonDecember 23, 2016

Let’s say you’re a teenager and you do something stupid. I know, hard to believe, right? Maybe you get caught with a small amount of pot, or you’re in the wrong place when a fight breaks out. Maybe you’re out with the guys and ended up someplace you shouldn’t, or you committed a petty theft. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 20, 2016

Sen. Anitere Flores has filed a bill to decriminalize youthful transgressions, a top priority for Senate President Joe Negron. Flores, a Miami Republican and the Senate President Pro Tempore, filed Senate Bill 196 on Tuesday. The measure allows law enforcement officers to issue juveniles who admit to committing a first-time misdemeanor a civil citation or […]

Tag: Anitere Flores
Image via AP.

New non-profit report says incarcerating non-violent youth in Florida is costly and often ineffective

“Whiskey and Wheaties” bill now cleared for Senate floor

Amendment would slow down effect of ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill

Capitol Reax: Tax cuts, certificates of need, whiskey and Wheaties, fracking

Anitere Flores: Gas stations will be carved out of ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill

Bill to expand juvenile civil citations raises questions on officer discretion

Why I have second thoughts about tearing down the wall between the whiskey and the Wheaties

Hearing on gun bills postponed after Senate cancels Judiciary Committee meeting

Push is on to decriminalize minor youth offenses

Anitere Flores files bill aimed at decriminalizing youth