Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith

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

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Politicians offer support after Hurricane Maria

Seminole County lawmakers want response from Duke Energy