Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2017

Seeing it as the “lesser of various evils” to pass a gambling bill this year, the House may give in to the Senate’s position to legislatively approve new slot machines in counties that passed referendums allowing them, according to those familiar with the negotiations. As of early Monday, the Conference Committee on Gaming was set to meet later […]

Peter SchorschApril 19, 2017

My father-in-law being a U.S. Marine, I’ve learned not to use the past tense to describe his service. Even at 67 years old, my father-in-law is a Marine, not was a Marine. Republican state Senate Frank Artiles is a Marine, not was a Marine. Volunteering to serve our country shows Artiles has far more courage than I’ve […]

Mitch PerryApril 18, 2017

The Florida Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to inform the public within 24 hours after a spill occurs. Senators passed SB 532 on its third and final reading. Sponsored by Manatee County Republican Bill Galvano, the bill was filed in the wake of Gov. Rick Scott‘s request for new public notification rules and legislation to ensure […]

Staff ReportsApril 14, 2017

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A proposed overhaul of the Florida College System from Sen. Dorothy Hukill has been passed Senate and is heading to a conference next week after amendments by the House. “This legislation (SB 374) will strengthen and expand college and university partnerships so the next generation of Floridians can benefit from our excellent 2+2 program,” said […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 13, 2017

Bradenton Sen. Bill Galvano‘s so-called “spill bill” will head to the Senate floor, after clearing the Special Order calendar Thursday. CS/SB 532, the Public Notice of Pollution Act, requires polluters to notify the Department of Environmental Protection of any spill within 24 hours. The DEP then would have 24 hours to inform the public of the […]

Jim RosicaApril 12, 2017

A proposed conference to resolve differences between the House and Senate gambling bills, originally planned for this week, was postponed till next week. That’s because, as of Wednesday, lawmakers continued to talk with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has six casinos in the state. One lobbyist suggested an end game: Passing only a new […]

Drew WilsonApril 11, 2017

Future Senate President Bill Galvano brought had a monster March, with nearly $500,000 in contributions to his “Innovate Florida” political committee. The Bradenton Republican brought in $494,200 for his committee the week before the start of the 2017 Legislative Session, including $50,000 each from the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, with […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 3, 2017

A Senate panel is poised to approve legislation this week that could add five more medical marijuana treatment centers in Florida by October and lower the threshold for adding additional treatment centers in the future. The Senate Health Policy Committee is scheduled to discuss and vote on a bill (SB 406), sponsored by Sen. Rob […]

Jim RosicaApril 2, 2017

Ed. Note: A version of this story ran previously in Saturday’s “Takeaways from Tallahassee” email. It’s long been a Capitol cliché, but there are few pronouncements on a piece of legislation as inauspicious as calling something “a heavy lift.” Saying a bill is “a heavy, heavy lift” sounds even more portending of defeat. Yet that’s how […]

Jim RosicaMarch 30, 2017

As expected, the Senate on Thursday passed its gambling overhaul for this year, including a renewal of exclusive rights to blackjack games for the Seminole Tribe. Sen. Bill Galvano, the chamber’s shepherd of this year’s legislation, told fellow lawmakers he couldn’t promise that “we’ll reach a state of resolution” this session. That said, he expects the […]

Tag: Bill Galvano

Gambling deal may come down to slots question

Of course, Frank Artiles should resign. Does the Senate have the steel to make that happen?

Senate gives full support to pollution notification rules change

Dorothy Hukill ‘College Competitiveness’ bill moves to conference

Bill Galvano’s ‘spill bill’ advances toward Senate floor vote

Legislature still hasn’t begun conferencing on gambling legislation

Bill Galvano adds $500K in committee cash during March

Senate amendment quickens pace for medical marijuana treatment center growth

Black clouds loom over this year’s gambling bills

Senate passes 2017 gambling bill