Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 9, 2017

We’re just going to rip this line right from Thursday’s press release: “To get a head start on the next round of reapportionment in 2021, Florida House Democrats have formed a Working Group on Redistricting that will allow them to be fully prepared to present the citizens of our state with the fair maps they […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 8, 2017

A freshman House Democrat wants the Legislature to have zero involvement in investigations into Sen. Jack Latvala‘s alleged sexual harassment of six women at the Capitol. Rep. Amy Mercado of Orlando on Wednesday said the only “equitable” investigation for both the accused and the alleged victims excludes any involvement from each chamber. She took part in a […]

Staff ReportsOctober 27, 2017

A bill to ban the use of steroids in racing dogs has again been filed in the Legislature. Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat, is behind the House bill (HB 463), and Sen. Dana Young, a Tampa Republican, has the measure in the Senate (SB 674). The legislation, which died in the Senate in the 2017 […]

Scott PowersOctober 20, 2017

After reflecting saying that Florida needs someone who can stop divisive, hateful sentiments and bring people together, Adam Putnam got his chance to try out his skills at Tiger Bay Friday defending gun-owners and then sitting down with a Pulse survivor who disagrees. Putnam came to the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida Friday to […]

Scott PowersOctober 16, 2017

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State Sen. Linda Stewart and state Rep. Bruce Antone announced Monday they are pushing legislation that would require day care centers to install sensor alarms on their transport vans and other vehicles that would alert workers if a child was left inside. Joined by other Democratic members of the Orange County Legislative Caucus, many of […]

Mitch PerryOctober 10, 2017

A Florida House committee advanced legislation Tuesday that would replace a statue of Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith with one of Mary McLeod Bethune in the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. The House Government Accountability Committee passed the proposal offered by Daytona Beach Democrat Patrick Henry (HB 139) with just one dissenting vote (from Jacksonville Rep. Jay […]

Mitch PerryOctober 5, 2017

Following the worst mass shooting in U.S. history earlier this week in Las Vegas, two Florida lawmakers announced legislation designed to temporarily prevent access to firearms for individuals at a high risk of harming themselves or others. The bill (HB 231), filed Thursday by Jacksonville Sen. Audrey Gibson and Lantana Rep. Lori Berman – both Democrats – […]

Scott PowersOctober 4, 2017

Casting aside any criticism politicizing tragedy, Orlando state Sen. Linda Stewart, Orlando state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and a statewide coalition demanded talks Wednesday on gun law reforms, particularly on their bills banning sales of semi-automatic weapon and high-capacity magazines in Florida. Democrats Stewart and Smith filed such bills last session, in the memory of […]

Scott PowersSeptember 30, 2017

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While joining a relief effort in Orlando that included U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy and several Florida lawmakers and local leaders, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham blasted President Donald Trump‘s response to Puerto Rico as “appalling” Saturday. Graham said that the world was witnessing “a failure of planning” for a deadly hurricane that was seen coming […]

Scott PowersSeptember 26, 2017

State Reps. Rene Plasencia and Bob Cortes announced the creation of a bipartisan legislative team starting with two dozen Florida lawmakers seeking ways to assist Puerto Rico in its recovery from Hurricane Maria. Besides Cortes and Plasencia, Central Florida Republicans who both have Puerto Rico heritage, the “FL2PR Response Team” also includes Republican David Santiago […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith
Tom Homan has a stern warning for states that are uncooperative with deportation orders.

Talk about working ahead: Dems readying for 2021 redistricting

Amy Mercado: Legislature should recuse from harassment investigations

Greyhound steroid ban filed for 2018 Session

Adam Putnam, Carlos Smith clash on guns, then sit, talk, listen

Linda Stewart, Bruce Antone push for day care van alarms

House committee advances bill to replace statue of Confederate general with that of Mary McLeod Bethune

Democratic lawmakers file bill restricting guns for ‘at-risk’ individuals

Linda Stewart: ‘It’s not too early’ to talk about gun reform, ‘It’s too late’

Joining relief effort, Gwen Graham blasts Donald Trump’s Puerto Rico response as ‘appalling’

Bipartisan Florida for Puerto Rico legislative effort assembled