Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 24, 2017

FanDuel, the national fantasy sports website, has sent a “call to action” email to its Florida users, asking them to contact lawmakers in support of their hobby. “With the Big Game just around the corner, we have an important message to share with every Florida fantasy sports player,” the email says. “A new bill has […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 8, 2016

It’s been overlooked for years, but criminal justice reform could be coming down the pike. Sen. Jeff Brandes said he hopes to make reforming the system a top priority, but told the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists it could take years before reforms are achieved. Calls for reform aren’t new, but they are growing louder. […]

Jim RosicaAugust 10, 2016

Incoming House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz of Tampa has let go two top staffers as she remakes the chamber’s Minority Office. Its staff director, 17-year House veteran Durward Brewer, and communications director Paul Flemming have been released, Cruz said Wednesday. Taking Brewer’s place will be Joe McCann, a lobbyist and former senior VP at the Ballard Partners lobbying firm and a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 4, 2016

A legislative leader ultimately backed down Friday on his attempt to tack language legalizing fantasy sports play in Florida on a regulatory-related bill. State Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Fort Walton Beach Republican who chairs the Finance and Tax Committee, tried to amend a House bill (HB 1187) making changes to the state’s Department of Business […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

Pete Antonacci, the new head of the South Florida Water Management District, doesn’t have a conflict of interest just because his lawyer wife has clients with matters before the district. That’s the opinion of Florida Commission on Ethics staff, which will be considered for approval by commission members at their meeting Friday morning, according to […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 25, 2015

Miami Herald political editor Sergio Bustos provided the most fascinating tidbit at Tuesday’s Media Panel sponsored by TaxWatch and held at Gunster law firm in Fort Lauderdale. The topic was gambling in Florida. Will the state reach a new compact with the Seminoles? Will the interests pushing for Las Vegas-style resort casinos finally get clearance […]

Guest AuthorAugust 14, 2014

Not a word has been uttered. Not a campaign ad has been created. Not a single news story has been written. Yet, this will be one of the most important decisions the next Florida governor will make – and it only happens every 20 years. And Democrats, in particular, should be very worried. Either Republican […]

Guest AuthorAugust 12, 2014

George Sheldon is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for Florida Attorney General. If he wins, he will face Pam Bondi, the current attorney general, in November. Here are his answers to questions I posed to him: What does the Florida Attorney General do? The attorney general is the chief legal officer for the state, responsible […]

Tag: Bob Butterworth

FanDuel calls on Florida fans to support fantasy sports

Jeff Brandes turns attention to criminal justice reform

Janet Cruz shakes up House Dems office, hires Joe McCann

Fantasy sports bill fumbles in Florida House

Board will consider Pete Antonacci ethics opinion

Jac VerSteeg: Why casinos might be out of luck in Florida

Brian E. Crowley: Makeup of next Constitutional Revision Commission should worry Democrats

Stephen Goldstein: A Q&A with George Sheldon, Democratic candidate for AG