Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2015

The chairmen of the Florida Legislature’s redistricting panels agreed to draw multiple “base maps” and record all meetings of map-drawers as they prepare for next month’s Special Session to redraw Florida’s state Senate districts. The agreement was spelled out in letters between state Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, and state Rep. Jose Oliva, a Miami Lakes Republican, that […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2015

“Sure I eat what I advertise. Sure, I eat Wheaties for breakfast. A good bowl of Wheaties with bourbon can’t be beat.” – Hall of Fame pro-baseball pitcher Dizzy Dean. Supporters are hoping the third time’s the charm in repealing the state’s Prohibition-era law that requires retailers to sell hard liquor in a separate store from […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 22, 2015

Two prominent Republican state senators are on the witness list for Thursday’s wrap-up hearing in the congressional redistricting court fight. Sen. Tom Lee, the chamber’s budget chief, and Sen. Bill Galvano, head of its redistricting panel, are set to testify. The witness list refers them as “will calls,” meaning they will definitely take the stand. […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 14, 2015

Political committees for top Senate Republicans have started to bring in cash again after the trio of sessions kept a lock on fundraising for most of the past five months. Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala’s political committee, Florida Leadership Committee, brought in the most money last month with a $251,000 performance, though there was still plenty […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 11, 2015

Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has given parties in the ongoing congressional redistricting case until Monday to submit their final versions of how to draw boundary lines for those districts. At a brief hearing on Friday, Lewis set the date for all competing maps to be submitted. A final hearing on the matter still is set for Sept. 24, court […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 11, 2015

Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano characterizes the redistricting situation he’s engrossed in as the most challenging and difficult experience yet of his 13-year legislative career in Tallahassee. The Bradenton Republican chairs the Senate Reapportionment Committee, and has been intricately involved with trying to work with House counterpart Jose Oliva in coming up with a newly redrawn […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Jeb Bush may be struggling in the polls, but there was nothing but unadulterated love for him shown Thursday afternoon in Tampa, where a bevy of local and state Republicans – highlighted by an appearance by Jeb Bush Jr. – gathered to officially open the former Florida governor’s statewide headquarters. Located in the Town ‘n’ […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 8, 2015

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli says his chamber won’t back down from its version of a redrawn congressional map and thus won’t agree to convene in another Special Session. In a memo to members on Tuesday, Crisafulli – a Merritt Island Republican – did say he’d be OK with the Florida Senate coming back and approving the House […]

Jim RosicaAugust 28, 2015

State Rep. Jose Oliva has told House colleagues he’s unswayed by the latest Senate attempt to bring lawmakers back to the Capitol to agree on a new congressional district map. In a memo released Friday, Oliva – the Miami Lakes Republican who chairs the House redistricting panel – thanked his counterpart, state Sen. Bill Galvano, […]

Jim RosicaAugust 27, 2015

State Sen. Bill Galvano isn’t giving up on a legislative fix to the state’s congressional map mess, proposing yet another compromise he hopes will bring the House back to the table. On Thursday, the chairman of the Senate’s redistricting panel released a version of Florida’s 27 congressional districts that notably puts the southern flank of […]

Tag: Bill Galvano
Donald Trump. Image via AP.

House, Senate agree on next redistricting procedures

Fight over “whiskey and Wheaties” returns to Capitol

Redistricting witness lists roll in before trial

Top Senate Republicans bring in committee cash for August

Judge gives redistricting parties extra time for maps

Bill Galvano calls redistricting issue his most difficult legislative experience

Bay area Republicans gather to open Jeb Bush’s statewide HQ in Tampa

Steve Crisafulli refuses another Special Session to redraw congressional districts

House lukewarm on latest Senate congressional map

Bill Galvano proposes another congressional map