Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 8, 2016

There’s less than two months until Floridians start casting votes, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — including the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce — issued endorsements this week. — Florida Parents Against […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

You might want to call them instant winners. As of 5 p.m. Friday, a dozen Florida Senate candidates appeared to win their elections when the qualifying period ended without them drawing opposition. Newcomers Lauren Book and George Gainer were among those candidates who did not draw an opponent. Gainer, a Bay County Republican, ran unopposed […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2016

They might be running unopposed, but that isn’t stopping Florida Senate candidates from raking in the campaign cash. Campaign finance reports were due Monday. And while there’re several hotly contested races this election cycle, candidates in 19 of the state’s 40 Senate districts are running unopposed. But that isn’t stopping them building up their campaign […]

Ryan RayMarch 9, 2016

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that critics say would curtail women’s access to safe and legal abortions, while supporters say it simply “gets Florida out of the abortion business.” The measure to increase medical requirements on abortion clinics, sponsored by Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel, passed 25-15 after nearly half an hour of debate. […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Senate a bill that would classify computer coding as a “foreign language” for purposes of high school credit. Sen. Jeremy Ring‘s SB 468 passed the upper chamber by a vote of 35-5 after half an hour of heated debate, mostly among Ring’s fellow Democrats. Sen. Dwight Bullard said he agreed coding is an important skill for students to learn, […]

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

A group of international business leaders heard the Florida gospel from a cadre of state officials as part of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Annual International Days on Tuesday. Among the top talking points business professionals from around the world heard: Gov. Rick Scott‘s aggressive economic development efforts, Florida’s easygoing tax and regulatory regime, and, of […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2016

Appearing somewhat sheepish about his proposal, Tallahassee Democrat Bill Montford stopped his own bill (SB 1148) in a Senate committee on Monday that would have required self-service gas station pumps to have printers in working order to produce receipts. “From hearing from my constituents in the 11 counties that I serve, this is not just a now-and-then […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 22, 2016

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It’s Week 7 of the 2016 Legislative Session, and Monday brings yet another assortment of policy bills, including those dealing with gas pumps, self-storage units and even declarations of war. First, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee takes up SB 1148, sponsored by Tallahassee Democrat Bill Montford, requiring “self-service gas station pumps to have a receipt printer […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

The Florida Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Jon Steverson to be the state’s Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The full Senate confirmed Steverson by 29-8 after a handful of Democratic senators raised concerns. Steverson has raised hackles for suggesting that the state allow timber harvesting and cattle grazing to help state parks […]

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

Endorsement watch: Florida Parents Against Common Core, Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, Florida Retail Federation and others issue endorsements

Instant winners aplenty in Florida Senate races

Senate candidates boost campaign coffers despite running unopposed

Legislature passes new strictures on abortion clinics

Senate passes measure categorizing computer coding as foreign language

Jax Pension Tax bill clears final Senate committee

Foreign business leaders hear from lawmakers at Florida Chamber’s International Days

Bill Montford pulls bill requiring gas stations to have receipt printers

Monday in the Legislature: Gas receipts, self-storage, Islamic State

Jon Steverson wins full Senate confirmation as DEP head