Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMay 7, 2015

Included in the package of bills sent to Gov. Rick Scott Thursday is SB 248, which would make a body camera recording by police exempt from public record disclosure when the recording is taken: Within the interior of a private residence; The interior of a mental health care or social service facility, or; In a […]

Ryan RayApril 30, 2015

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy has been racking up major Democratic endorsements at a rapid clip since he launched his bid for the U.S. Senate in late March. On Thursday he continued that trend, announcing via news release that he has secured the support of 25 sitting Florida state legislators. “From South Florida to Tampa, from Orlando […]

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 …” […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

A bill that would make it much easier for doctors to test patients for the HIV virus made its way through a Florida Senate Committee on Wednesday. The measure (SB 512) is sponsored by Orlando Democrat Geraldine Thompson. She said it would eliminate paperwork that “burdens doctors” when they test in a health screening, such […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

As she portrayed her SB 840 as a mostly technical bill that simply clears up a legal conflict currently circulating in the courts, Sen. Eleanor Sobel probably was not prepared for the maelstrom of criticism from both parties that befell her effort. Following an easy and perfunctory confirmation process for a score of various agency officials — a process that […]

Guest AuthorApril 6, 2015

If there was any doubt that House Appropriations Chairman and Speaker-In-Waiting Richard Corcoran is a conservative crusader whose commitment to his principles leaves him indifferent to comity, convention and the nuances of legislative diplomacy, that doubt was laid to rest last week when he went on a rampage through the legislative china shop. It began […]

Guest AuthorApril 6, 2015

If there was any doubt that House Appropriations Chairman and Speaker-In-Waiting Richard Corcoran is a conservative crusader whose commitment to his principles leaves him indifferent to comity, convention and the nuances of legislative diplomacy, that doubt was laid to rest last week when he went on a rampage through the legislative china shop. It began […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 18, 2015

A Senate committee on Wednesday voted to restore funding for affordable housing, as a way to offset the loss of revenue because of Amendment 1. Approved overwhelmingly by voters in November, Amendment 1 assigns 33% of documentary stamp tax revenue to water and land conservation. SB 586 seeks to redistribute the remaining $1.3 billion in documentary […]

Staff ReportsMarch 12, 2015

A Mason-Dixon poll publicized by the Florida Greyhound Association finds that nearly seven out of 10 Floridians are opposed to turning increasingly out-of-fashion dog racing tracks into casinos — at least without a referendum. “Floridians are sending a loud message to the Legislature: Don’t turn greyhound tracks into casinos on your own,” said Jim Blanchard, president […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 6, 2015

Chris Smith, a Democratic state senator from Fort Lauderdale, has introduced a bill that may go a long way toward ensuring that Jacksonville’s police department looks more like Jacksonville itself. If SB 772 becomes law, historically black Edward Waters College would be merged with a police academy, with the goal of conferring criminal justice degrees and training […]

Tag: Chris Smith
Florida state workers get an extra day off to whip up an awesome Key Lime Pie.

Body camera public record exemption sent to Governor

Patrick Murphy announces endorsements by almost half of Democratic state lawmakers

Bills dying en masse as House adjourns Sine Die

Bill aimed to make HIV testing easier passes Florida Senate committee

Write-in residency requirements bill goes down in bipartisan flames

Jack Stevenson: House will pay for Richard Corcoran’s Medicaid rant

Jack Stevenson: House will pay for Richard Corcoran's Medicaid rant

Senate panel restores affordable housing funds shifted by Amendment 1

Poll: Floridians oppose converting dog tracks into casinos

New mission for Edward Waters College: A police academy?