Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2018

Five days ago, a White House report gave a dire warning: Climate change would cost America billions of dollars annually. On Wednesday, three Florida U.S. House members, two Democrats and a Republican, introduced a bill to set up a growing carbon tax that aims to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. Led by Democratic U.S. Rep. […]

Scott PowersNovember 26, 2018

The nine insurgent Democrats of the congressional Problem Solvers Caucus including U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto are down to pushing Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for three key concessions before agreeing to support her for House Speaker. The three concessions call for two changes that would require debates and votes on bills that get […]

Scott PowersJune 1, 2018

Democratic state Sen. Linda Stewart said Friday there will be a big push in the next Legislative Session to pass a bill ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution now that Illinois has approved it, leaving just one more state needed for adoption. “We only need one more state. There’s 13,” that have […]

Scott PowersMarch 5, 2018

When someone fails a background check while attempting to purchase a gun, that should be reported to state law enforcement as a possible precursor to criminal gun activity, under a bill being pushed by Florida’s U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson and a bipartisan group of several other key U.S. senators. Republican Rubio, Democrat […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2018

The Senate made some big moves Friday in the annual legislative dance that is the negotiation for an omnibus gambling bill. The biggest move: The chamber now includes a renewed 20-year deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida for $3 billion in revenue over seven years in return for exclusive rights to blackjack and slot […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2018

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As owners of the state’s dog and horse tracks fret over a legislative deal this year, House Speaker Richard Corcoran on Thursday didn’t back down from his position that there be “an absolute contraction” of gambling in the state. But he also didn’t make clear what a “contraction” actually looks like, and whether that could […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2018

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed into law the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, a bill pushed in part by U.S. Rep. Val Demings to help address issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by law enforcement officers. Demings, a Democrat who formerly served as Orlando police chief, introduced the bipartisan measure […]

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2017

President Donald Trump‘s decision to move America’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem has a congressional sponsor, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who’s been pushing the issue for several years. DeSantis, the Republican from Ponte Vedra Beach, introduced a bill Thursday to have Congress declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to seek to move the […]

Scott PowersDecember 20, 2017

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz filed legislation Wednesday that would require congressional sexual harassment cases to automatically be referred to the House Ethics Committee. The “Me Too Congressional Ethics Act,” co-sponsored by Wasserman Schultz’s fellow Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, is aimed at lifting the shroud of secrecy cloaking sexual harassment lawsuit settlements involving […]

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2017

Contending that too much sexual abuse, assault, and harassment in Congress may be hidden forever by secret settlements with non-disclosure agreements, Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is leading a bipartisan effort to end such practices. “What does it say about the sincerity of Congress in combating harassment when members and staff can have taxpayers cover […]

Tag: bill

Ted Deutch, Charlie Crist, Francis Rooney introduce climate change carbon bill

Stephanie Murphy, Darren Soto, ‘Problem Solvers’ pushing Nancy Pelosi for three concessions

With one state to go, Linda Stewart calls on Florida to pass ERA

Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson push bipartisan bill to tighten reporting on gun background checks

Ante up: Senate files new 90-page gambling bill

On Richard Corcoran, gambling and third-graders

Val Demings bill addressing law enforcement mental health becomes law

Ron DeSantis introduces Jerusalem bill

Debbie Wasserman Schultz files ‘#MeToo’ sexual misconduct ethics bill

Ron DeSantis seeks to end secret sex suit settlements in Congress