Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 29, 2017

Sen. Dana Young has again filed a bill to exempt fantasy sports play from regulation under the state’s gambling laws. Young, a Tampa Republican, filed her measure (SB 374) Friday afternoon. She introduced similar legislation this past session. The bill for the 2018 Legislative Session would prohibit a fantasy contest operator from offering “contests based on the performances of […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 5, 2017

Former House Speaker Will Weatherford is backing Ed Hooper for the state senate seat being vacated by Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, who terms out in 2018. “Ed Hooper was an important member of my leadership team when I was Speaker of the Florida House, I could always rely on him for good counsel,” Weatherford said, […]

Peter SchorschAugust 28, 2017

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Florida’s top Republican lawmakers are lending a helping hand to the GOP nominees in three special elections going down this fall, according to fundraising invitations sent out Friday. A fundraiser benefitting Republican Rep. Jose Felix Diaz’s Senate bid is set for Sept. 14. Senate President Joe Negron and the two Senators in line to succeed […]

Peter SchorschJuly 26, 2017

When the history of the 2025-26 Legislative Sessions is written — undoubtedly Tallahassee Democrat reporter Bill Cottrell will be on his sixth retirement by then — what transpired July 25, 2017, may play a definitive role.

Staff ReportsJuly 7, 2017

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Republican state Sens. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Dana Young of Tampa on Friday endorsed former state Rep. Ed Hooper in his quest to replace Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala, who is term-limited in 2018. Brandes called Hooper “a true advocate for his community … thoughtful, collaborative, and trusted.” “These are some of the best qualities […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott on Friday approved the Legislature’s “Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act,” which gives the state authority to regulate “personal delivery devices (PDDs) and unmanned aircraft systems.” A “personal delivery device” is a machine for use on sidewalks, usually not traveling more than 10 miles per hour. Photo credit: Starship Technologies London-based Starship Technologies, for instance, makes a six-wheeled “self-driving delivery […]

Staff ReportsJune 23, 2017

As expected, Gov. Rick Scott‘s office on Friday announced he had signed into law two closely-watched medical marijuana bills. Scott approved both the bill (SB 8-A) that implements the state’s medical marijuana constitutional amendment, passed by voters last year, and a companion measure (SB 6-A) that exempts caregivers’ personal information from public disclosure. With Scott’s signature, the […]

Phil AmmannJune 16, 2017

Republican state Rep. Shawn Harrison is holding a campaign kickoff party later this month to launch his re-election bid in House District 63. The event, hosted by House Majority 2016 and featuring special guest Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, is Thursday, June 29, beginning 5 p.m. at the historic Tampa Theater, 711 N. Franklin St. Included […]

Mitch PerryJune 15, 2017

Incoming Senate Minority Leader Jeff Clemens announced Thursday the creation of a new campaign to help get more Democrats elected to the Florida Senate in 2018 and beyond. “Flip Florida Blue” will set out initially to invest resources to win the special election in Miami-Dade’s Senate District 40 seat formerly held by Hialeah Republican Frank Artiles, […]

Staff ReportsJune 6, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Hope Holt, formerly calendar coordinator in the House Clerk’s Office, is now serving as a program specialist for the Office of Professional Development. Off: Tina White stepped down as policy chief for the House Criminal Justice […]

Tag: Dana Young
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Dana Young files ‘fantasy contests’ bill

Will Weatherford endorses Ed Hooper for state Senate

Fundraisers set for three GOP special election candidates

Tuesday could be one of the important days of the 2025 Legislative Session

Jeff Brandes, Dana Young endorse Ed Hooper

Governor signs drone regulation bill

Medical marijuana implementation bill signed into law

Shawn Harrison kicks off HD 63 re-election bid at Tampa Theater June 29

Florida Democrats announce new vehicle to try to get more of them elected to state Senate

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round