Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonMarch 22, 2017

Depending on your point of view, red-light cameras in Florida are either: A) Of great benefit to public safety by making drivers think twice when approaching a changing traffic light; or B) a cash grab by communities that amounts to a backdoor tax. Just we’re clear, I’m on the side of Option B. While several […]

Jim RosicaMarch 22, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-01-26-at-1.25.54-PM.png

In another squeaker, the House version of a bill to allow retailers to sell liquor in their main stores cleared its last committee by just two votes. The House Commerce Committee on Wednesday OK’d the legislation (HB 81) on a 15-13 vote. It’s now ready to be considered by the full House. It previously cleared the Government Operations and Technology […]

Michael MolineMarch 15, 2017

A bill that would ban professional sports teams from building or refurbishing stadiums on public land passed the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday on a 21-8 vote. CS/HB 77, by Bryan Avila, says “a sports franchise may not construct, reconstruct, renovate, or improve a facility on public land leased from the state or a political subdivision thereof.” […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

The House “whiskey & Wheaties” bill has limped out of another committee with a one-vote margin. And that was after its sponsor fixed a problem that could have cost the Department of Business and Professional Regulation more than $250,000 in lost liquor license revenue. The legislation (HB 81) cleared the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday by a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

After the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill nearly whiffed in the House, a new twist was filed Monday evening. A proposed amendment on the bill (HB 81) would create dual “liquor package store licenses,” with “Type A” licenses going to stores keeping a wall of separation between booze and other retail items, and “Type B” licenses going […]

Guest AuthorMarch 10, 2017

We have all seen the recent stories about Florida’s job boom and our strengthening economy. It is undeniable that we are headed in the right direction. As my colleagues and I prepare for the coming legislative session, it is essential that we focus on the future of our economy. Recently, my colleagues in the House […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2017

On Wednesday, a Florida House panel took the baton from a Senate committee, addressing a problem-riddled Auditor General’s IT audit of the Agency for State Technology. The House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee discussed a January Auditor General report about the Agency for State Technology and State Data Center operations. Despite the findings of that […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

House members served up a sour version of the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill Wednesday as it barely cleared its first committee. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee cleared the legislation (HB 81) by a vote of 8-7, with the panel’s chair, Monticello Republican Halsey Beshears, voting against it. This is the fourth year a version of […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 28, 2017

The House is now on board with Senate President Joe Negron‘s higher education priorities. On Friday, state Rep. Bryan Avila filed companion bills (HB 3, HB 5) to Senate measures (SB 2, SB 4) filed by Bill Galvano. The bills touch on modifying performance-based incentives, boost funding to hire and keep top faculty, and create […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2017

Even though the bill sailed through its first committee, state Sen. Anitere Flores Thursday said she would tweak her “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation to make sure it wouldn’t apply to gas station convenience stores. The Senate Regulated Industries committee cleared the bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box […]

Tag: Bryan Avila
Image via AP.

Joe Henderson: Time to get rid of red-light cameras, but turn up heat on texting

By two votes, House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill cleared for floor

House budget panel votes to get tougher on public contributions to pro teams

House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill clears another panel — barely

Is House splitting the difference over the whiskey & Wheaties bill?

Bryan Avila: Paving the way for Florida’s 5G future

Agency for State Technology audit scrutinized by Florida House panel

‘Whiskey and Wheaties’ bill squeaks out of House panel

House joins Joe Negron’s higher ed program

Anitere Flores: Gas stations will be carved out of ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill