Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Hours after the House moved its own legislation reining in the state’s oversight body for high school athletics, the Senate on Thursday heard its own versions, moving forward two competing reforms. The PreK-12 Education Committee, chaired by GOP state Sen. John Legg, approved both SB 1026 and SB 684, both aimed at changing the way the Florida High School Athletic Association […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A Senate panel has cleared a bill that would classify computer coding as a “foreign language” for purposes of getting high school credit. The PreK-12 Education Committee approved the legislation (SB 468) on Thursday. The measure is sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy Ring, a former Yahoo! executive. Ring, a Margate Democrat, made clear his bill would not force […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2015

State Sen. Tom Lee has emerged a lone voice of Republican dissent over the ongoing effort to redraw the Senate’s district map. Lee, a Brandon Republican and former Senate president, sits on the chamber’s redistricting panel that is meeting Wednesday. The morning part of the meeting was slowed down with technical and legal explanations. Essentially, however, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 7, 2015

The head of an athletic oversight body on Wednesday told lawmakers he needs a change in state law to better combat recruiting in high school sports. The Senate’s PreK-12 Education Committee held a workshop on high school athletics issues but considered no legislation. Dr. Roger Dearing, CEO of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), told the […]

Ryan RaySeptember 21, 2015

A new report released Monday by online financial services firm WalletHub says Florida ranks near the bottom nationally when it comes to the fairness of its state and local taxes. The survey evaluated the taxes levied by all 50 states – broken down by income, property, sales & excise and “other” taxes – and how they are levied […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 30, 2015

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli sent a memo to representatives Thursday telling them he had no intention of calling them back to Tallahassee because of a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court by Senate Democrats. “We strongly disagree with the arguments that were filed by 13 Democrat members of the Senate and believe that the House’s […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 30, 2015

Senate Democrats have filed an emergency petition with the Florida Supreme Court asking the justices to deliver an expedited ruling on whether the House of Representatives violated the state Constitution when they abruptly adjourned Tuesday. Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner and members of the Democratic Caucus walked from the Senate Office Building at the Capitol to […]

Julie DelegalApril 19, 2015

On April 9, the Florida Legislature quickly and quietly passed an educational testing reform bill that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law on Tuesday – a significant victory for advocates and educators. But – except for the Duval County PTA – advocates don’t appear to be taking credit for its passage. House Bill 7069 reduces […]

Julie DelegalApril 19, 2015

On April 9, the Florida Legislature quickly and quietly passed an educational testing reform bill that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law this past Tuesday, a significant victory for advocates and educators. However, except for the Duval County PTA, advocates don’t appear to be taking credit for its passage. House Bill 7069 reduces duplicative testing, […]

Tag: Bill Montford

Jon Steverson wins full Senate confirmation as DEP head

Competing high-school athletics bills moving in Senate

Senate panel OKs classifying computer coding as “foreign language”

Tom Lee’s dissent grows over Senate redistricting effort

Senate panel hears high school sports concerns

Reliance on property, sales taxes holds Florida back in new tax-fairness report

Steve Crisafulli sends memo to members advising them to stay put

Senate Democrats sue House in state Supreme Court for early sine die

Julie Delegal: Silent victory for Florida's education activists

Julie Delegal: Silent victory for Florida’s education advocates