Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 25, 2017

This year’s effort to ban red-light cameras in Florida was approved by the Florida House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee after testimony that the records shows the cameras don’t appear to be reducing traffic accidents and their primary purpose seems to be revenue that’s not doing much to improve highway safety. House Bill 6007 is the […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2017

For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers will try to tear down the wall that separates tequila from tangelos. Senate President pro tem Anitere Flores has a bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores to sell liquor. State Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican, filed a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 13, 2017

More lawmakers are gearing up for a re-election bid. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Greg Steube is one of those lawmakers who is starting to think about his next race. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 3, 2017

Less than three years after Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation providing for state revenues to go toward constructing or improving professional sports franchise facilities, state Sen. Tom Lee wants to eliminate the program created to distribute those funds. “The Sports Development Program was ill-conceived and based on the false premise that these capital improvements are a boon for economic development,” the Brandon Republican said […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

A new House bill would prohibit sports teams in Florida from building or refurbishing stadiums on public land. State Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican, filed the bill (HB 77) Tuesday. The House website shows it does not yet have a Senate companion. The legislation says “sports franchise(s) may not construct, reconstruct, renovate, or improve […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers will try to tear down the wall that separates tequila from tangelos. Senate President pro tem Anitere Flores on Monday filed a bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores to sell liquor. Beer and […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 9, 2016

Saturday, Sept. 10 State Rep. Dana Young, running for Senate District 18, will celebrate the opening of her Carrollwood campaign office with some Super Saturday canvassing. Starting at 9:15 a.m., Young will be on hand for a meet-and-greet with supporters, the campaign team, and volunteers, followed by a neighborhood walk. Joining Young for the event […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

More than a dozen members of the Florida House are heading back Tallahassee. As of 5 p.m., state records show nearly a dozen South Florida lawmakers appeared to win their elections Friday when they failed to draw an opponent by the time qualifying period. All of the candidates are incumbents. In House District 94, Bobby […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 15, 2015

A key difference between the Senate campaigns of Rep. Ron DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera: the endorsements they roll out. DeSantis has been heavy on big national names, whereas Lopez-Cantera’s list has been heavy on local and state Republicans, as seen with Tuesday morning’s rollout of endorsements from people who arguably know him best: Republicans […]

Tag: Bryan Avila
Melania and Donald Trump with Pope Francis. Image via AP.

Red-light camera ban passes House subcommittee

Why I have second thoughts about tearing down the wall between the whiskey and the Wheaties

Legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020

Tom Lee wants to eliminate program designed to use taxpayers funds on sports facilities

Bryan Avila files stadium funding bill

It’s “whiskey and Wheaties” all over again

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Florida campaign weekender for Sept. 10-11

Nearly a dozen South Florida House members appear to be re-elected without opposition

Carlos Lopez-Cantera rolls out big South Florida/Miami-Dade endorsements