Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 27, 2017

It’s time for the Leggs to enjoy it being “Quiet Uptown.” Former state Sen. John Legg said Monday he will not run for Senate in 2018, quashing rumors he might considering a comeback in the coming years. “After 12 years my family and I need a break,” he said. “Also, I am enjoying working on […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2017

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Craft brewers can thank Chance the Rapper for getting this year’s beer bill over its first legislative hurdle. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Wednesday cleared the measure (SB 554) on a 6-3 vote. Democrats Perry Thurston and Randolph Bracy joined Republican Lizbeth Benacquisto in opposing the bill. But Oscar Braynon, the chamber’s Democratic […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 19, 2017

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Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper is assembling an impressive number of high-profile state lawmakers for a Tallahassee reception next month. Hooper, a former state representative, is seeking the open Senate District 16 seat currently held by Jack Latvala. Hooper’s campaign fundraiser will be Monday, March 6, from 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Governors Club, 202 South Adams […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2017

Saying that he is “shocked” that a committee in the Florida House voted to kill funding for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida last week, Governor Rick Scott came to Tampa on Monday to urge the public to urge their state legislators to maintain the funding for those two besieged agencies. “This is an important issue to me personally,” […]

Scott PowersFebruary 10, 2017

Decrying that racing dog owners are “doping greyhounds,” state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith joined state Rep. Alexandra Miller and Dana Young Friday in another effort to tighten regulation of dog racing in Florida, with a bill explicitly banning the use of steroids. Smith, the Orlando Democrat, and Miller, the Sarasota Republican, introduced House Bill 743 […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 7, 2017

On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed legislation to reduce the number of driver’s licenses suspended annually in Florida. The bipartisan bill (SB 302), sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes and Democrat Darryl Rouson, would end the suspension of licenses for non-driving-related offenses. If passed, it could dramatically reduce a large number of suspensions taking place […]

Rosanne DunkelbergerFebruary 7, 2017

With former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden sick at home, wife Cindy Gruden stepped in to stump for Moffitt Cancer Center‘s request for increased funding at the Capitol. Gruden was one of more than 75 representatives of the Moffitt Cancer Center, who came by bus and bicycle — doctors, patients, caregivers, community leaders, and researchers — […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 3, 2017

The clash between Rick Scott and the leaders of the Florida House and Senate have dominated the front pages of several Florida newspapers this week, and Dana Young doesn’t like it one bit. “There is this angry, shrill tone coming out of Tallahassee, and I truly don’t understand why,” the GOP District 18 state Senator told a crowd of over 50 people at the Oxford […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 2, 2017

Dana Young is introducing new legislation to give small craft breweries the ability to move product through other craft breweries. But the “Big Beer” industry in Tallahassee is already expressing concerns about SB 554, the Senate proposal filed Thursday by the Republican from Tampa. The bill allows craft breweries producing under 7,000 kegs a year, and does not […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2017

While some Republicans in Tallahassee were startled last week when Democrats walked out of a committee hearing in reaction to a speaker who made controversial comments, Janet Cruz says her caucus won’t be “mainstreaming hate speech as a legitimate part of political debate” anytime soon. The Democrat House Minority Leader was referring to Thursday, when five Democrats in the House’s […]

Tag: Dana Young

It’s official: John Legg not running in 2018

Craft beer debate includes … Chance the Rapper?

Impressive roster of GOP leaders line up for Ed Hooper fundraiser

At Tampa rally for Enterprise Florida funding, Rick Scott repeatedly calls out Shawn Harrison

Carlos Smith, Alexandra Miller, Dana Young push new greyhound bill, banning steroids

Drivers license suspension bill sponsored by St. Pete’s Darryl Rouson and Jeff Brandes advances in state Senate

Cindy Gruden at Capitol to support boosting cigarette tax for Moffitt Cancer funding

Dana Young decries the ‘shrill tone’ coming out of Tallahassee

Dana Young files bill allowing craft breweries to distribute limited amounts of their own product

Janet Cruz says Florida Dems won’t ‘mainstream hate speech’ in 2017