Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsSeptember 26, 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: Jonathan Capps became a legislative analyst for the Senate Majority Office. Off and on: Staff director Jennifer Hrdlicka has moved from the Senate Criminal Justice to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development. Lauren Jones replaces Hrdlicka on […]

Terry RoenSeptember 21, 2017

Politicians released statements Thursday urging support for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Caribbean countries following the devastation left by Hurricane Maria. Gov. Rick Scott said he called the governors of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands offering support and anything they need. “Our hearts go out to them and they are in our […]

Scott PowersSeptember 18, 2017

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Seminole County Florida lawmakers have sent a protest letter to Duke Energy for not meeting its electricity restoration goals and state Rep. Bob Cortes has asked Duke officials to attend a county delegation meeting Tuesday to look into delays. “Eight days after Hurricane Irma blew through our districts, the struggle for residents and businesses to […]

Scott PowersSeptember 5, 2017

With DACA recipients pleading, sometimes in tears, for the right to stay in the United States where they grew up, a coalition of pro-immigration groups and Democratic lawmakers gathered on Orlando City Hall’s front steps Tuesday to denounce President Donald Trump‘s phased-out repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. At the same time, the […]

Scott PowersAugust 24, 2017

Dinners are being planned throughout Florida this month featuring Democratic lawmakers and young, undocumented immigrants to draw attention to the federal Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals program that is at risk of being ended by the administration of President Donald Trump. The meals, which include events that occurred in the past week featuring Tallahassee Mayor Andrew […]

Scott PowersJuly 17, 2017

Democratic candidate Anna Eskamani announced the endorsements Monday of 10 Democratic members of the Florida House of Representatives in her bid for Florida’s House District 47. In addition to the endorsements from Democratic state Reps. Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando, announced earlier, the backing comes from Democratic state Reps. John Cortes of […]

Scott PowersJuly 5, 2017

Democrat Anna Eskamani kicked off her 2018 campaign for House District 47 with a Wednesday rally at Orlando City Hall, several major endorsements, thousands of social media hits and $6,000 in donations, all gathered, she said, in the less than two days since she filed to run on Monday. Eskamani, the first in from any […]

Mitch PerryJune 21, 2017

Equality Florida is accusing Gov. Rick Scott of breaking a promise made last year to the organization that he would issue an executive order protecting LGBTQ state employees from discrimination in hiring and contracting. Now the Florida Democratic Party is piling on. On June 28, 2016, just 16 days after the deadly attack on Orlando’s Pulse nightclub […]

Scott PowersJune 7, 2017

While expressing curiosity at a forum held in Washington Wednesday over whether Gov. Rick Scott might attend next Monday’s Pulse memorial services, Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith slammed the governor, saying “he has done nothing” for the gay community since the June 12, 2016, massacre at Orlando’s popular gay nightclub. Smith was speaking at a […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2017

(Originally published Tuesday, June 6, 2017) At least eight House members and one senator won’t be attending some or all of this week’s Special Session, set for Wednesday-Friday. The June meeting is conflicting with some lawmakers’ plans, including one whose brother is getting married out of state. Below is a list, as of Tuesday afternoon, […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Politicians offer support after Hurricane Maria

Seminole County lawmakers want response from Duke Energy

Pro-DACA rally in Orlando seeks full immigration reform

Democratic lawmakers planning dinners with DREAMer immigrants

Anna Eskamani draws 10 Democratic lawmakers’ endorsements in HD 47

Anna Eskamani hits trail with quick start in HD 47 race

Fla. Dems, Equality Florida say Rick Scott ‘broke promise’ to protect LGBTQ employees

Carlos Smith: Since Pulse, Rick Scott has done nothing for LGBTQ community

Some lawmakers bowing out of Special Session