Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 4, 2016

The Florida Senate OK’d a proposal that overhauls the state’s alimony system. The Florida Senate voted 24-14 to approve the measure (SB 668), which changes the way Florida judges can award spousal support. “This is a very, very emotional thing,” said Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Lakeland Republican who sponsored the bill. Among other things, the […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2016

A proposal to stop law enforcement officials from wantonly confiscating Floridians’ property was amended and discussed in the Florida Senate on Thursday. The proposal – SB 1044 by Sen. Jeff Brandes – got a final tuneup before heading to the Senate floor for a full vote, which is scheduled for Friday. The St. Petersburg Republican introduced four […]

Ryan RayMarch 2, 2016

A day after Hillary Clinton won a majority of Democratic delegates up for grabs in last night’s Super Tuesday primaries – partly on the strength of her support in minority communities – about 100 African-American Florida elected officials came out in support the former Secretary of State’s bid for the White House. Among them were the Florida Legislative […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

A bill to provide funds for a “proper burial” for boys who died at the infamous Arthur Dozier School for Boys passed the Florida Senate on Wednesday. The bill also authorizes the Department of State to “preserve historical resources, records, archives, and artifacts” related to the site. The Dozier school is said to be the site […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

A Senate budget panel advanced a bill Wednesday for a grant to the family of a Florida State University football player who died on the practice field. The bill – SB 16 by Sen. Arthenia Joyner – appropriates $1.8 million to the family of Devaughn Darling, who died during preseason drills from complications of an undiagnosed health […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

After a fire alarm delayed the start of Wednesday’s meeting by almost half an hour, the Senate Democratic caucus finally got down to the task at hand: opposing Republican-sponsored legislation, particularly an energy exploration bill that has environmentalists up in arms. The caucus members were united in their resistance to a bill they said would preempt […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 24, 2016

Wednesday saw the Jacksonville-centric Discretionary Sales Surtax bill clear the Senate Rules Committee (SB 1652), scheduled at the same time as the third reading in the House (HB 1297). Central to the pitch: bill sponsor Rob Bradley and Mayor Lenny Curry, whose sales job gets better with every committee stop… especially important because Curry will have to sell […]

Ryan RayFebruary 23, 2016

The Senate Democratic caucus met Tuesday morning to strategize before a busy legislative day in Tallahassee, where Minority Leader Sen. Arthenia Joyner led her caucus through discussions on a handful of controversial bills set to be taken up later in the day. Of particular interest to Joyner was the Sen. Tom Lee-sponsored alimony bill, SB 250. Joyner advised members to […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2016

A bill that would decrease the number of offenses punishable by license suspension was temporarily postponed in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday. The bill (HB 207) sponsored by St. Petersburg Democrat Daryl Rouson and co-sponsored by Republicans Dana Young from Tampa and Sarasota’s Greg Steube, would revise the number of drivers license suspensions for […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

Tallahassee – WWGGD? Okay, nobody is saying that, but let me pose the question that Florida Democrat will begin talking about more frequently as the year progresses – What Will Gwen Graham Do? The North Florida Congresswoman told reporters at a news conference in Tallahassee yesterday that she still has not decided if she’ll run […]

Tag: Arthenia Joyner
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Senate votes 24-14 to approve alimony overhaul bill

Senate tees up civil asset forfeiture bill for floor vote

Florida Black caucus leaders, scores of African-American officials endorse Hillary Clinton

Dozier school relief bill passes Senate unanimously

Devaughn Darling claims bill clears education budget panel

Senate Democrats huddle up to oppose fracking bill

Jax Pension Tax bill clears final Senate committee

Senate Democrats strategize ahead of busy legislative day

Bill that would reduce drivers licenses suspensions in Florida stalls in House Appropriations

Mitch Perry Report for 2.17.16 – What will Gwen Graham do?