Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Saying that the current limbo of law is bad for doctors and patients, Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado pleaded with Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Legislature leaders to call a special session to deal with medical marijuana. “We are here because 71 percent of Florida voters approved the constitutional right to […]

Scott PowersMay 15, 2017

Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto said Monday he intends to sponsor legislation to protect the Kissimmee River with a designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Such a move, if it were to be approved, would enact broad protections for the river, which starts in Osceola County’s Little Lake Tohopekaliga and, at least in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 2, 2017

The House overwhelming approved its version of a medical marijuana implementing bill, setting the bill up for final negotiations with the Senate later this week. The House voted 105-9 to approve a bill (HB 1397) that would implement the 2016 medical marijuana constitutional amendment. “Understanding the level of pain and the level of need patients […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2017

A bipartisan bill banning the use of steroids on greyhound racing dogs is likely dead for the 2017 Legislative Session. The last committee of reference for the Senate bill (SB 512) had been Appropriations, which did not hear it Monday at its last meeting. The House version (HB 743) passed earlier this month on an […]

Jim RosicaApril 26, 2017

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The Florida Legislature has voted to tear down the booze ‘wall.’ The House, on a by-a-nose vote of 58-57, Wednesday passed the Senate’s bill (SB 106) to allow retailers, at least those who choose to do so, to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. The legislation now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. […]

Scott PowersApril 24, 2017

More than a dozen Democratic Florida House members have formed the Progressive Legislative Caucus, with firebrand state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando elected as its first chair. The caucus held its organization meeting last week with Smith becoming chair, state Rep. Amy Mercado of Orlando vice chair, and state Rep. Joseph Abruzzo of Boca […]

Scott PowersApril 20, 2017

A bipartisan bill banning the use of steroids on greyhound racing dogs was approved Thursday by the Florida House of Representatives. House Bill 743, cosponsored by Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando and Republican state Rep. Alex Miller of Sarasota, was approved in the house by a vote of 84 to 32, despite strong […]

Mitch PerryMarch 29, 2017

Under a new bill passed Wednesday by the House Government Accountability Committee, Tampa would need to change the dates of municipal elections every four years. Changes to when local municipalities hold election days was one of a series of proposals included in a committee-written bill passed by the House Government Accountability Committee, approved easily by a 22-1 […]

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

A bill that would ban injecting racing greyhounds in Florida with anabolic steroids is heading to the House floor. The House’s Commerce Committee approved the bill (HB 743) on Tuesday. Florida is home to 12 of 19 tracks in the United States and one of the few places where the use of steroids is permitted. […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2017

Legislation banning sanctuary city policies moved through another Florida House committee Tuesday. Yalaha Republican Rep. Larry Metz‘s bill (HB 697) would force any “sanctuary city” or county in Florida to remove all formal or informal policies shielding undocumented immigrants from federal custody. It passed the House Subcommittee on Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs on a 9-5 vote on Tuesday. The […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith

Carlos Guillermo Smith, Amy Mercado say special session needed to end cannabis legal limbo

Darren Soto to push bill to declare Kissimmee River ‘Wild and Scenic’

House passes medical marijuana implementing bill, sends to Senate

Greyhound steroid ban dies in Senate

Legislature votes to tear down the ‘liquor wall’

House forms first-ever Legislative Progressive Caucus

Ban on steroids for greyhound racing dogs passes House

House advances bill to change Tampa municipal election dates

Bill banning steroids for greyhounds headed to House

Bill to eliminate sanctuary cities in Florida moves through another House committee