Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 19, 2017

With the scheduled end coming for a federal emergency housing voucher program being used by Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria, state Sen. Victor Torres and several other Democratic lawmakers are urging Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello to ask the federal government for an extension. The program provides temporary housing vouchers for people who’ve fled […]

Scott PowersDecember 6, 2017

Stories of first responders to the 2016 massacre at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub who have developed post-traumatic stress disorder, including a police officer dismissed Tuesday night, spurred several Orlando lawmakers Wednesday to renew their call for Florida’s Workers Compensation to provide mental health coverage for them. Democratic state Sen. Victor Torres of Orlando and Democratic state […]

Scott PowersDecember 5, 2017

Note: An earlier version of this story inaccurately reported the vote of state Rep. Chris Latvala. After facing down Democrats’ harsh questioning of the bill’s intentions, a Florida House committee voted nearly along party lines Tuesday to approve a measure to require most public employees’ unions to meet a dues-paying threshold or face recertification. The […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2017

Last week, more than 25 Democratic legislative leaders from Palm Beach County and the state announced endorsing state Rep. Lori Berman in her bid for Senate District 31. Among those lining up behind Berman, a Lantana Democrat who represents HD 90, are Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, former Congressmen Patrick Murphy and […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 9, 2017

Darryl Rouson reintroduced the Competitive Workforce Act in the Senate Thursday, a bill that seeks to ban discrimination statewide based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The St. Petersburg Democrat said the legislation makes clear that LGBTQ discrimination will no longer be tolerated in Florida housing, employment, and accommodation decisions. The bill, SB 66, and its House companion, […]

Jim RosicaNovember 9, 2017

A draft of a bill is circulating in the Capitol that would, among other things, expressly legalize steroids and trace amounts of cocaine in racing greyhounds, critics say. One lawmaker made aware of the language on Thursday jokingly asked if it was “written by The Onion.” But an industry representative said the legislation, backed by […]

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 […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith
Jay Collins. Image via Newsmax.

With program set to end, Victor Torres, other Democrats seek extension to Puerto Rican housing

Pulse first responder with PTSD spurs call for mental health coverage

Public union dues-or-recertification bill passes House panel

Lori Berman nabs two dozen endorsements in SD 31 bid

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising

Darryl Rouson reintroduces LGBTQ anti-discrimination bill

Bill would permit trace cocaine amounts in racing dogs

Talk about working ahead: Dems readying for 2021 redistricting

Amy Mercado: Legislature should recuse from harassment investigations

Greyhound steroid ban filed for 2018 Session