Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJuly 20, 2015

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With a hat-tip to LobbyTools, here is latest on who is on and who is off the legislative staffing merry-go-round. Off: Jay Ferrin has left his position as legislative analyst for the Senate Majority Office. Off: Chase Daniels has left his position as legislative assistant for state Sen. Charlie Dean. On: Drew Aldikacti is the […]

Mitch PerryJuly 14, 2015

Associated Industries of Florida, considered a powerhouse lobbyist group for the business establishment in Tallahassee, has produced their annual scorecard on how often state lawmakers have maintained the AFI line, and the discrepancy isn’t that large between Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate, at least. AIF’s 2015 Voting Records contains each of the state’s 120 legislators voting […]

Phil AmmannJune 22, 2015

Ocala Republican state Rep. Dennis Baxley announced the endorsement of Levy County Superintendent Robert Hastings in the Senate District 5 race. Baxley, the representative from House District 23, which covers much of Marion County, is known as the “Father of Stand Your Ground” for his support of the state’s controversial self-defense law. The staunch conservative is running for […]

Drew WilsonJune 21, 2015

As of June, none of the 12 Florida Senators running for reelection is facing much of a challenge — Democratic Sen. Jeff Clemens is the only incumbent to draw an opponent so far, but it won’t derail him from another term. District 29 looks set as well, with Democratic Rep. Jim Waldman having a clear path to take over for outgoing Sen. Jeremy […]

Drew WilsonJune 10, 2015

Campaign finance numbers released Wednesday show Ocala Republican Rep. Dennis Baxley raised $42,665 for his District 5 Senate campaign in May, bringing his contribution total to $143,825. Expenditures for the month totaled $4,906, leaving the Baxley campaign with $123,000 cash on hand. The representative had a banner month in February, bringing in $79,500, but campaign rules […]

Bruce RitchieApril 29, 2015

A House bill establishing comprehensive water policy was amended and passed by the Senate on Wednesday, but was dead because the House had adjourned on Tuesday. House bills dealing with hydraulic fracturing were not voted on in the Senate because their Senate sponsor said they lacked the two-thirds vote needed. The 2015 Legislative Session continued […]

Ryan RayApril 28, 2015

Former Senate Democratic leader Sen. Chris Smith debated on the Senate floor against SB 284, a private property rights enhancement bill telling his colleagues — coyly at first — “It’s hard to argue against a bill with so many House co-sponsors,” and later, more directly, “I mean, if we want to send a message …” […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

A Senate water bill passed its final committee stop on Tuesday despite continuing concerns raised by counties and environmentalists. SB 918 replaces a Lake Okeechobee pollution permitting program with more reliance on water cleanup plans, sets deadlines for establishing minimum flow levels for springs, sets timelines for springs cleanup plans and creates a statewide advisory […]

Bruce RitchieApril 17, 2015

Last year a comprehensive water bill that passed the Senate included a major focus on Florida’s springs and reducing threats from groundwater pollution and over-pumping. Florida’s springs during the past 30 years have turned green with algae because of nitrogen in groundwater from various sources including septic tanks, fertilizer and sewage treatment plants. Fixing the […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

A Senate comprehensive water bill was rewritten Wednesday with changes requested from business and environmental groups, but neither side is yet supporting the bill. SB 918 would establish springs protection zones, provide consistency in pollution regulations dealing with Lake Okeechobee, and incorporate Central Florida water supply planning in state law. The bill passed its second […]

Tag: Charlie Dean
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The latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Florida Democratic state Senators score high in AIF’s 2015 voting scorecard

Levy County Superintendent Robert Hastings endorses conservative Dennis Baxley in SD 5 race

Keep your eyes on these 8 state Senate campaigns

Dennis Baxley Senate campaign gets $42,000 in May; Jimmie Smith lags

Water, fracking bills die as Senate meets without House

Bills dying en masse as House adjourns Sine Die

Senate bill clears final committee stop despite concerns from counties, environmentalists

Springs bill in Senate disappoints some environmentalists

Industry, environmentalists say rewritten Senate water bill better, could be improved