Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

[Ed. Note — This story, first posted Thursday, was updated Friday.] Lawmakers on Thursday included a provision to withhold more than $1.9 million in Department of Health salaries and benefits in the final 2018-19 state budget until regulators fully implement medical marijuana. The proviso language, which “qualifies or restricts a specific appropriation,” means certain Health officials will get […]

Drew WilsonMarch 3, 2018

Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young got slammed by her Democratic re-election opponent in a Saturday email for not voting on an amendment that would ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Tampa attorney Bob Buesing said the move was “not surprising” given Young’s “A” rating from the National Rifle Association, but still said the lack of […]

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2018

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A win turned into a loss Saturday, as the Republican-controlled Senate first approved—then killed—an amendment on a school safety bill that would have mandated a moratorium on assault rifle sales in the state. The legislation, called the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act” (SB 7026), is in response to the Valentine’s Day shooting […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

Dana Young, a Tampa Republican, says she won’t be pursuing the presidency of the Florida Senate. “As I’m completing my second session in the Senate, I’ve realized the commitment of pursuing and ultimately serving as presiding officer requires more time than I am willing to spend away from my family and my constituents,” she said […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 28, 2018

Americans For Prosperity-Florida on Tuesday thanked lawmakers who voted against film industry incentives bills sponsored Miami Democratic Sen. Annette Taddeo. SB 1606 would set up a “Florida Motion Picture Capital Corporation” to “encourage the use of this state as a site for scripted productions by providing financing to such productions,” but does not immediately fund […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2018

The politics of guns in Florida has rapidly changed since the Valentine’s Day shooting in Parkland. Two Senate Republicans up for re-election this fall were hammered by their Democratic opponents Monday night following a Senate committee vote defeating a Democratic amendment to ban semi-automatic rifles. Tampa attorney Bob Buesing has vowed to be more aggressive in taking […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2018

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On Monday, a House committee advanced Hillsborough County’s proposal to create a special district for funding some features of the $3 billion Water Street Tampa development in the city’s Channelside neighborhood. The House Government Accountability Committee unanimously approved HB 1393 that creates the Water Street Tampa Improvement District. Advancing the proposal are Strategic Property Partners and […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2018

A bill that would create a financing program to bring TV and film production back to the Sunshine State cleared a Senate panel Tuesday. But with less than three weeks left in the 2018 Legislative Session, the effort could be for naught: A House companion measure has not yet been heard. The Commerce and Tourism […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 14, 2018

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A proposal that would provide $25 million both to the Tampa Bay area and Miami-Dade County for alternative transportation projects advanced in a Senate committee Wednesday, but not before there was considerable debate and criticism from Democrats who considered it unfair that their communities were being left out. Tampa Republican Dana Young‘s bill (SB 1200) […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 7, 2018

A Senate bill to bar the use of steroids in racing greyhounds cleared another committee Wednesday, as a poison-pill amendment was withdrawn at the last minute. The measure (SB 674) was approved by the Agriculture Committee on a 8-1 vote, with only Delray Beach Democrat Kevin Rader opposed. Rader filed and withdrew an amendment that would have allowed […]

Tag: Dana Young
Melania and Donald Trump with Pope Francis. Image via AP.

Legislature slashing Health Dep’t pay because of medical marijuana delays

Email Insights: Dana Young a no-show on assault weapons vote

GOP blocks Democratic attempts to change school safety bill

Dana Young withdraws from race for Senate President

AFP-FL praises Senators who voted against film incentives

Campaigning: Democrats blast GOP after assault weapons ban fails

House advances proposed Water Street Tampa special district

Cut, print: Film financing proposal moves in Senate, stalled in House

Proposal on alternative transportation advances in Legislature

Greyhound steroids ban clears another committee