Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Larry GriffinJanuary 25, 2017

Carlos Guillermo Smith, a UCF graduate himself, wants you to have more access to higher education – that’s why his new bill, HB 489, introduces sweeping expansions to the Bright Futures scholarship. The bill, called the “Restore Our Bright Futures” act, will return the scholarship to the levels of the 2010-11 school year and make […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 17, 2017

In front of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio‘s office Tuesday morning, Sen. Victor Torres and Reps. Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith called on Rubio to protect the state’s immigrant population – especially those not here legally. Their message was that time is of the essence – now that the Donald Trump administration is just days away […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 5, 2017

Senator Linda Stewart and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith announced Thursday that they had filed a bill in both the Senate and the House that would ban the sale of military-grade assault weapons in Florida. The bill, SB 254, would prevent the sale or transfer of assault weapons as well as owning them in general. Speaking at […]

Scott PowersJanuary 2, 2017

A before-and-after time line now exists for Orlando – June 12, 2016 – and on this side of the Pulse massacre the city may be seen by the world and through its own citizens’ eyes as a very different place, with a new political perspective. Before June 12, Orlando was a city without an an […]

Scott PowersDecember 12, 2016

While no one from Central Florida will be chairing full committees in the Florida House of Representatives this spring, several local representatives will be chairing key subcommittees, Health Care Appropriations, Tourism & Gaming Control, and Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs. The committee appointments came down Monday from House Speaker Richard Corcoran. State Rep. Mike La […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 7, 2016

Count them in for 2018. Dozens of state lawmakers have already filed to run for the state House and Senate in 2018. For some, their decision comes before their first bills get a hearing. Others have their eye on the higher office as they embark on their final term in the House. State elections records […]

Scott PowersNovember 21, 2016

As they prepare for the 2017 Legislative Session, Central Florida lawmakers are looking out for help for the emerging Advanced Manufacturing Research Center in Osceola County, the demise of the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in Lake Nona, and I-4 throughout the region. Those are things almost everyone in Central Florida’s delegation is examining. […]

Larry GriffinNovember 14, 2016

The City of Orlando’s plans to purchase the Pulse nightclub and turn it into a memorial were originally scheduled for Monday’s City Council meeting, but have now been delayed until the Dec. 5 meeting. The reason given by Mayor Buddy Dyer is that the city wants more time to formulate a plan moving forward to […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith — two former chairs of the Orange County Democrats — will be entering the Florida House of Representatives after easy victories over independent candidates Tuesday. Mercado replaces her father, Victor Torres, in representing Florida House District 48. Torres was elected to the Florida Senate Tuesday in Senate District 15. Smith wins Florida […]

Peter SchorschNovember 6, 2016

Democrats are still in a strong position for Orlando’s three Senate seats, with Republican Realtor Dean Asher still the only candidate standing in the way of a clean sweep. Asher raised another $25,775 for his campaign account and $5,000 for his committee, “Allegiant Friends For Florida,” during the Oct. 22 through Nov. 3 reporting period, […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith

Carlos Guillermo Smith’s ‘Restore Our Bright Futures’ act aims to help more students go to college

Central Florida House members call on Marco Rubio to protect illegal immigrants

Linda Stewart and Carlos Guillermo Smith introduce bill to ban assault weapons in Florida

Politics in Orlando now takes place in a post-Pulse city

Central Florida reps pleased with tourism, health care subcommittee chairs

Dana Young, Randy Fine, others file to run for re-election in 2018

Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, I-4, Sanford Burnham, water quality, Pulse, on Central Florida lawmakers’ minds

City of Orlando delays decision on buying Pulse nightclub until Dec. 5

Amy Mercado, Carlos Guillermo Smith win Florida House seats

Final round-up of the money race in Central Florida’s legislative races