Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorMarch 26, 2015

While attending a college information program with my high school son recently, I heard an admissions officer say something that every Florida legislator ought to hear. “The three most important letters in the college selection process aren’t S-A-T or A-C-T,” the admissions officer observed. “The three most important letters are F-I-T.” The admission officer’s point […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 24, 2015

A bill aimed at ensuring condo-owners aren’t forced to sell their homes for pennies on the dollar unanimously passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Tuesday. Senate Bill 1172 sponsored by Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala is a direct answer to an oversight in 2007 legislation that allowed investors buying condo units in bulk to scoop up […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2015

Whip out those checkbooks, Tallahassee lobbyists and PAC chairs, as the clock ticks down on pre-session legislative fundraisers. Florida law prohibits legislators from raising money during session, so the final hours before the 2015 Legislative Session – which starts Tuesday – means a last-minute whirl of fundraising receptions, many of which in the shadow of […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Mike Fasano represented Pasco County in the Florida Legislature 19 years before being appointed tax collector in 2013 by Gov. Rick Scott. Having spent almost an equal amount of time between both chambers, he says there’s a vast gulf of difference between the two GOP-controlled bodies in Tallahassee as far as independence, philosophy, and temperament. “In […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Whip out the checkbooks, Tallahassee lobbyists and PAC chairs, as a new week begins with a handful of legislators’ re-election fundraisers. State law prohibits legislators from raising money during session, so every week leading up to the 2015 Session will offer a number of fundraising receptions. Many of them are mere steps from the Florida Capitol. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 4, 2015

Attempts by the craft brewing industry to finally repeal the ban on 64-ounce beer growlers looked promising going into this year’s legislative session in Florida. But a provision added to what was considered a “clean” growler bill proved contentious at a hearing in the Senate Regulated Industries committee hearing on Wednesday afternoon in Tallahassee. In […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2015

The legislative war between the craft brewing industry and “Big Beer” over the past couple of years appeared to be fading out going into the 2015 legislative session. But it might be back on, now that the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Independent Spirits Association have filed petitions to intervene in an administrative lawsuit against the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2015

Last fall in Largo they promised such legislation, and today in Tallahassee that same group of Pinellas County Republicans – state Senator Jack Latvala and Representatives Kathleen Peters, Chris Latvala and Chris Sprowls -followed through with an official bill that would establish tougher regulations for investor-owned electric utility companies in the state and more accountability for the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2015

Last fall in Largo they promised such legislation, and today in Tallahassee that same group of Pinellas County Republicans – state Senator Jack Latvala and Representatives Kathleen Peters, Chris Latvala and Chris Sprowls -followed through with an official bill that would establish tougher regulations for investor-owned electric utility companies in the state and more accountability for the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2014

In 2013, Clearwater state Senator Jack Latvala introduced a succinctly written bill that would have brought Florida into compliance with nearly every other state in the country in allowing for the sale of 64-ounce growlers to be sold in Florida craft breweries. The straight forward legislation amounted to only two-lines on a piece of paper. […]

Tag: Chris Sprowls

William Mattox: Legislature should empower parents to enroll child in school that best fits

Jack Latvala bill protecting condo-owners clears Senate panel

Get your checkbooks ready this week for pre-session political fundraisers

At Tampa Tiger Bay, Mike Fasano says GOP leadership’s rein too tight on state House

Get your checkbooks ready this week for several political fundraisers

Big beer distributors object to growler bill in Florida Senate committee

Craft breweries fear lawsuit could threaten tasting rooms

Pinellas Republicans vow to crack down on Duke & the PSC

Pinellas Republicans vow to crack down on Duke & the PSC

Jack Latvala to introduce new growler legislation