Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 16, 2018

A four-volume, plain-spoken treatise on criminal justice reform is available to the public and it’s already caught the eyes of some legislators looking to reform Florida’s criminal justice system. “Reforming Criminal Justice” recently was published by the Academy for Justice, a group of 120 leading criminal justice scholars representing some of the best higher education […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

A bill to repeal the state’s tobacco bond cap is moving in the Florida House. Whether it’s fair is another story. The measure (HB 6017), carried by GOP Rep. Cord Byrd of Neptune Beach, cleared its first committee last week by a unanimous 14-0 vote and moves to Appropriations. A companion bill (SB 124) is in the Senate. The […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2018

In Northeast Florida December fundraising for State House races, unopposed incumbents kept trucking, while the race for HD 15 remained competitive in fundraising. HD 11: Incumbent Cord Byrd, a Jacksonville Beach Republican, brought in $12,400 to push him to $29,700 cash on hand. Among the donors backing the unopposed lawyer: the Geo Group. HD 12: […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2018

In 2016, Cord Byrd, Clay Yarborough and Jason Fischer overcame competitive GOP primaries to win nominations — despite powerful interests and strong candidates going against each of them in the process. The general elections, in each of their districts, lacked drama: all three beat write-in candidates, garnering over 90 percent of the vote. We asked the […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 12, 2017

Some Northeast Florida state House candidates and incumbents posted stronger fundraising than others in November. Below, the tally in each district. The highlights: strong months for Republican incumbents Clay Yarborough, Jason Fischer and Cyndi Stevenson. Meanwhile, in the most interesting race in the region, Democrat Tracye Polson continues to keep pace with Republican Wyman Duggan in House District 15. ____ In […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2017

A new bill proposed in the Florida House would offer people with “legal disabilities” a road to restoration of civil rights. HB 903, filed by Jacksonville Beach state Rep. Cord Byrd, would offer remedies for those whose civil rights were suspended after felony convictions. Currently, a pardon or a restoration of civil rights is possible. Byrd’s bill […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 17, 2017

A select group of lawmakers will be focused on specific, hurricane-related policy recommendations over the next two weeks. Each member of the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness on Friday was assigned a specific area of focus. Chair Jeanette Nuñez, a Miami Republican, grouped the issues into categories following the five educational meetings held […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 13, 2017

October brought big scores to some Northeast Florida campaigns and committees. Here’s the seat-by-seat rundown. State Senate Senate District 4’s Republican incumbent Aaron Bean brought home the bucks. October saw $36,000 come into Bean’s coffers: $24,000 to his campaign account, and another $12,000 to his committee, “Florida Conservative Alliance.” All told, Bean has roughly $78,000 […]

Ana CeballosNovember 7, 2017

A controversial piece of legislation that seeks to ban communities that act as “sanctuaries” for undocumented immigrants passed its only legislative committee hearing on Tuesday, and could head to the House floor as soon as Session starts. The proposal — a House leadership priority — would allow local officials who vote for “sanctuary city” policies, […]

Phil AmmannNovember 7, 2017

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Aisha Bien-Aime is the new legislative assistant for Ocoee Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy. On: Amelia Johnson Smith is district secretary for Melbourne Republican Sen. Debbie Mayfield. On and off: Staz Guntek has replaced Joseph […]

Tag: Cord Byrd

Criminal justice report given to legislators will guide reform

Tobacco bond cap bill clears House panel—but is it fair?

Few surprises in Northeast Florida House fundraising for December

Northeast Florida lawmakers preview 2018 Legislative Session

Northeast Florida state House fundraising paced by Republican incumbents

Cord Byrd bill addresses ‘broken system’ of civil rights restoration

Focus areas doled out for hurricane committee

NE Florida fundraising round-up: Paul Renner shines; HD 15 is competitive

Controversial ‘sanctuary city’ ban bill clears lone committee stop

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round