Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 22, 2015

The 28-year-old Berny Jacques is an assistant state attorney for Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit, but is a pure political animal, also chairman of the Young Floridians for Opportunity PAC. A native of Haiti who immigrated to the states when he was 7, he got his first opportunity when U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart brought him on […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

Although she’s been thwarted in the past few years, Plantation Democratic state Rep. Katie Edwards is back again to propose a needle exchange program that would help prevent transmission of HIV and hepatitis among intravenous drug users. HB 81 would create a five-year pilot program with the University of Miami to offer free, clean and unused needles and syringes […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2015

Get your checkbooks ready: The Republican Party of Florida’s House Majority 2016 effort is highlighting a bevy of fundraisers this week in Tallahassee. The party sent an email listing all the events, coinciding with the October committee week. In chronological order, here are the events, subject to change and cancellation: State Rep. Elizabeth Porter of Lake […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Jeb Bush may be struggling in the polls, but there was nothing but unadulterated love for him shown Thursday afternoon in Tampa, where a bevy of local and state Republicans – highlighted by an appearance by Jeb Bush Jr. – gathered to officially open the former Florida governor’s statewide headquarters. Located in the Town ‘n’ […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 10, 2015

A Tampa Bay-area lawmaker wants to “streamline” the process for minors to expunge or seal their criminal records. State Rep. Chris Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, filed his bill (HB 147) on Thursday for the 2016 legislative session. And fellow state Rep. Chris Sprowls, a Palm Harbor Republican and assistant state prosecutor, agreed to co-sponsor the measure. […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 7, 2015

Rep. Eric Eisnaugle put pen to paper this weekend and wrote a scathing op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel calling for an end to “autocracy” in the state House’s internal affairs. Citing a regime of strictly enforced loyalty and near-universal deference to leadership – which he described as a “pyramid of power” – Eisnaugle blasted the House’s prevailing culture in his hometown paper’s Sunday […]

Ryan RayAugust 28, 2015

Republican state Rep. Ray Pilon has found an unlikely ally in his 2016 House re-election campaign in Sarasota-based District 72: leading Democratic strategist Steve Schale. Schale appears on the host committee for an upcoming fundraiser for the third-term Republican lawmaker, according to an invitation obtained by FloridaPolitics.com. Schale cited Pilon’s stance this year in a major battle over Medicaid […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

The Florida House of Representatives has released committee assignments for the 2016 Legislative Session, including a brand new “Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access” created Wednesday. “I am directing the Select Committee to explore policy options to reduce the cost of health care for consumers and improve the transparency of health care information, make recommendations for […]

Mitch PerryAugust 24, 2015

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The Florida Legislature’s failure last week to come to an agreement on redrawing the state’s congressional maps was just the latest example of state Republicans unable to come together. A battle over Medicaid expansion roiled the Legislature for most of its Regular Session this spring. Nearly everyone in the state Senate supported proposals that would have […]

Drew WilsonAugust 12, 2015

State Sen. Jack Latvala will hold a fundraiser luncheon co-sponsored by several current and former Pinellas politicians in St. Petersburg on Sept. 1. The list features two dozen co-chairs, including current state Reps. Larry Ahern, Kathleen Peters, Chris Sprowls and state Sen. Latvala’s son, freshman Rep. Chris Latvala. Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano will also be in attendance. Latvala has his sights set on becoming the […]

Tag: Chris Sprowls

Meet Berny Jacques, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Katie Edwards hopes this year her needle exchange bill advances in Tallahassee

Email Insights: House GOP fundraisers continue

Bay area Republicans gather to open Jeb Bush’s statewide HQ in Tampa

Chris Latvala’s bill would “streamline” sealing of juvenile records

Eric Eisnaugle pens op-ed blasting “pyramid of power” in the state House

Democratic strategist Steve Schale reaches across the aisle to support Ray Pilon’s re-election

House committee assignments released; new healthcare panel added

AFP airs ads thanking GOP lawmakers for refusing to expand health care in Florida

Pro-Jack Latvala political committee to hold luncheon Sept. 1