Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 2, 2016

Both the Florida House and Senate are off to a great start in the 2016 session, having passed significant legislation expanding job and education opportunities for people with disabilities and approving a historic water bill. Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott, both of these bills are now law. The comprehensive water bill has been the subject […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

The Florida Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Jon Steverson to be the state’s Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The full Senate confirmed Steverson by 29-8 after a handful of Democratic senators raised concerns. Steverson has raised hackles for suggesting that the state allow timber harvesting and cattle grazing to help state parks […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

Tuesday, the Community Affairs Committee of the Florida Senate approved Senate Bill 1652, the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill introduced by Rob Bradley and co-sponsored by Aaron Bean. The bill has its first House committee stop scheduled for Wednesday; it still has two Senate committees to go. As the meeting soldiered toward the presentation, Jax Mayor Lenny Curry could be […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2016

A major trio of political players at the Florida Capitol are happy with the progress made Thursday on big-ticket priorities in the Legislature. The H2O Coalition, a water policy consortium affiliated with Associated Industries of Florida, applauded the further progress of what it calls comprehensive water reform in the Legislature. The praise comes after the […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 13, 2016

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a major water bill, a major priority of House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and the object of much interest on the part of environmentalist community as well. Reactions from significant groups and individuals will continue to flow in as the debate goes forward, but for now here’s a look at what some of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

The sausage-making began in earnest Wednesday morning, as the Florida Senate teed up nine bills for final approval and passed a sweeping $95 million educational policy bill and a water protection measure desired by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. The education bill (SB 672) was sponsored by GOP state Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville, a former schools superintendent. Among other […]

Ryan RayJanuary 6, 2016

In a show of force behind Sen. Wilton Simpson‘s bid for the newly-redrawn SD 10, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, and CFO Jeff Atwater all came out with endorsements of Simpson on Wednesday. “We need Wilton Simpson back in the State Senate, and that is why I am enthusiastically endorsing his 2016 re-election campaign,” said Bondi. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 31, 2015

Early committee finance numbers for Republican Sens. Jack Latvala and Joe Negron show the two rivals for Senate President are as close as ever in fundraising. Latvala’s outfit, Florida Leadership Committee, entered October with a little more than $1.6 million on-hand, and the committee should get a little boost above that mark once final reports […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 24, 2015

Associated Industries of Florida, the state’s premier business lobby, will hold its sixth annual Florida Water Forum today. The forum begins 9 a.m. at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. “This meeting will provide participants with the most current information from Florida’s policy leaders in the Legislature and state government on issues relating to water […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 14, 2015

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With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Luke Strickland is a new legislative assistant in the Senate Majority Office. Off: Christine DonFrancesco is no longer a legislative assistant for Wellington Democrat Sen. Joseph Abruzzo. Off: Katie Martin is no longer […]

Tag: Charlie Dean

Charlie Dean, Matt Caldwell: New water legislation is effective

Jon Steverson wins full Senate confirmation as DEP head

Jax pension tax bill clears Senate Community Affairs Committee

Big-name groups, leaders trumpet progress on legislative priorities

Major players react to Senate passage of water legislation

Senate passes education, water bills

3 Florida Cabinet members among big-name pols endorsing Wilton Simpson in SD 10

Fundraising reports show Senate rivals Jack Latvala, Joe Negron close as ever

Associated Industries of Florida to hold water forum Friday

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round