Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJanuary 26, 2018

Welcome to the United States of America, otherwise known as the world’s largest free speech zone. Unfortunately, too many college administrators don’t see it that way. On campuses across Florida and the rest of the nation, people in charge of higher education have established euphemistically named “free speech zones” that limit the places where students […]

Phil AmmannNovember 7, 2017

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Aisha Bien-Aime is the new legislative assistant for Ocoee Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy. On: Amelia Johnson Smith is district secretary for Melbourne Republican Sen. Debbie Mayfield. On and off: Staz Guntek has replaced Joseph […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2017

Last week a second Democrat decided to test the waters in HD 89, which is being vacated by termed-out Republican Rep. Bill Hager next year. James Bonfiglio, an Ocean Ridge resident, filed paperwork to run for the Palm Beach County district on Sept. 18. He joins Ryan Rossi, who filed May 1, in the Democratic […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2017

Bob Rommel picked up a challenger in his re-election bid for House District 106, but the Naples Republican has little to worry about in 2018. Kristopher Knudson, a resident of Marco Island, filed for the seat in late July with no party affiliation, and through the end of August, he had raised $150 for his […]

Drew WilsonAugust 17, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner candidate and Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell rolled out a string of endorsements from his Republican colleagues in the state house. Caldwell earned the support of five Republican representatives: Byron Donalds, Dane Eagle, Heather Fitzenhagen, Bob Rommel and Ray Rodrigues. “I am proud to have unanimous support from House members in Southwest […]

Phil AmmannJuly 25, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Amber Moody is a new support analyst for the House Office of Information Technology. Off: Michael Ellis is no longer a journal writer/editor for the Legislative Process Division. Off and on: Natasha Sutherland has […]

Associated PressJune 26, 2017

Half of Florida’s legislators failed or nearly failed in a review of their support for public records and meetings given by Florida newspapers and an open-government group after this year’s legislative sessions. In a “scorecard” produced by the Florida Society of News Editors and based on information provided by Florida’s First Amendment Foundation — which tracked a priority list of […]

Peter SchorschApril 12, 2017

It’s no secret that the United States is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid abuse, overdoses and deaths, with Florida emerging as an epicenter. Nevertheless, several Tallahassee lawmakers, albeit unwittingly, may soon contribute to this wildfire of a crisis, a casualty of the latest battle in Florida’s Eyeball Wars. Few can argue the […]

Scott PowersJanuary 23, 2017

A new bill introduced by state Rep. Bob Rommel would keep secret the identities of candidates for the presidencies and other top executive positions at Florida’s state colleges and universities through most of the selection process. House Bill 351, introduced by the Naples Republican Monday, would create exemptions in Florida’s open records and open meetings […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 17, 2017

A bill codifying statewide standards for the reporting of drug overdoses was filed in the Florida House Tuesday, a response to the opioid epidemic. House Bill 249, filed by Southwest Florida Republican Bob Rommel, requires certain people to report overdoses to authorities in their respective counties. Failure to report is not an option, according to the […]

Tag: Bob Rommel
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Demetrius Minor: The only free speech zone in Florida ought to be Florida

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Second Democrat files to take over for Bill Hager

Bob Rommel draws NPA challenger in District 106

Matt Caldwell endorsed by five Southwest Florida representatives

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

On open records, half Florida’s legislators rate F or D

A dangerous consequence of Florida’s Eyeball Wars; throwing gasoline on the state’s wildfire opioid crisis

Bob Rommel files bill to shield college presidential searches from Sunshine Laws

Mandatory overdose reporting bill filed in Florida House