Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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, […]

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 […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith

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

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