Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ben PollaraDecember 20, 2016

At last week’s Senate Health Policy Committee workshop on medical marijuana, much of the conversation centered on the question of whether the passage of Amendment 2 necessitated an expansion of the number of licenses to cultivate and sell medical marijuana in Florida. I participated in the workshop at the invitation of Chair Dana Young, and […]

Peter SchorschDecember 19, 2016

State Sen. Dana Young of Tampa and state Rep. Chris Sprowls of Palm Harbor have been named to GOPAC‘s 2017 Legislative Leaders Advisory Board. “With Republican dominance at the federal and state levels of government, we must deliver solutions to Americans’ top concerns for economic and personal security,” GOPAC Chairman David Avella said in a statement […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2016

The troubled Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission received a terminal diagnosis Friday after members of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation voted unanimously for a local bill that would eliminate the agency on December 31, 2017. After that, the County Commission would pick up its regulatory duties. “The public has lost complete faith in the ability of this […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2016

Federal law requires drivers license suspensions for non-payment of child support and drug offenses. However, according to a new report, the majority of states have used a provision in that law that allows them to “opt-out” of these automatic license suspensions while still keeping their highway funding. Twelve states – including Florida – have not. A report released this week […]

Jim RosicaDecember 13, 2016

The right way to put the new constitutional amendment on medical marijuana into effect is to “treat (it) like medicine,” supporters said Tuesday. The Senate Health Policy committee held its first workshop for the 2017 Legislative Session on medical cannabis implementation. “The states that have done it poorly, with a lack of regulation, allowed folks to market […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

With establishment lobbyists now representing it, the medical marijuana cause appears to have become—grab your pearls—respectable. Florida for Care, the nonprofit organization that is advocating for “well-regulated” medicinal pot in the state, has hired Brecht Heuchan and The Mayernick Group to advocate for its interests. Heuchan, who says he voted against the medical marijuana constitutional amendment this November, has […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 7, 2016

Count them in for 2018. Dozens of state lawmakers have already filed to run for the state House and Senate in 2018. For some, their decision comes before their first bills get a hearing. Others have their eye on the higher office as they embark on their final term in the House. State elections records […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

Sydney Ridley, former right-hand woman to lawmaker Dana Young, is joining Southern Strategy Group‘s Tampa office. The top-tier lobbying firm announced the move Monday. “Sydney represents the future of the lobbying business,” said Seth McKeel, managing partner of SSG’s Tampa Bay office and a former House member. “She’s sharp, respected, energetic, and she’s very excited about […]

Mitch PerryDecember 1, 2016

With Tallahassee a four-hour drive away, the annual meeting of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation to be held in two weeks in Tampa could very possibly be the only time local residents can address their state representative(s). That meeting will take place on Friday, December 16 at the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water […]

Mitch PerryNovember 29, 2016

Dana Young has been named as chair of Health Care policy in the Florida state Senate. The South Tampa Republican, who was elected to the Legislature’s upper chamber earlier this month in SD 18, will also serve as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education Senate President Joe Negron handed out such assignments to his charges in the […]

Tag: Dana Young
Aleksandar Vucic Image via AP

Ben Pollara: Expansion of medical marijuana business is necessary and prudent

Dana Young, Chris Sprowls named to GOPAC advisory board

Hillsborough County PTC may be on way out after local delegation approves bill to kill it

Report says 24,000 citizens in Florida have suspended drivers license because of drug offenses

Treat medical marijuana “like medicine,” advocates say

Implementation of medical marijuana amendment brings together unlikely allies

Dana Young, Randy Fine, others file to run for re-election in 2018

Personnel note: Sydney Ridley joins Southern Strategy Group

Hillsborough legislative delegation to meet December 16

Dana Young to chair Health Care policy committee