Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 8, 2017

Vito Sheeley, who has filed to oppose Wengay Newton in 2018 for House District 70, blasted the St. Petersburg Democrat Friday for proposing legislation that would criminally charge car theft victims. “This is one of the worst ideas I’ve ever heard out of Wengay Newton,” Sheeley said. “And that’s saying a lot.” Making his first run […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 7, 2017

Legislation providing for a review of efficiency in government procurement is making its way through the Legislature. St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes’ SB 368 cleared the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government Thursday with a unanimous and undebated yes vote. Brandes’ bill — which is accompanied in the House by Wauchula Republican Rep. Ben Albritton’s […]

Mitch PerryDecember 5, 2017

Legislation calling for a memorial honoring those who suffered from slavery in Florida advanced unanimously through a Senate committee Tuesday. But first, Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee chair Dennis Baxley explained why he was always for the bill, even though he voted against it last Session. The bill (SB 286) will recognize the fundamental injustice, […]

Drew WilsonNovember 25, 2017

A coalition of Florida businesses touted a poll Wednesday that shows broad support among Florida small business owners for laws protecting LGBTQ workers and customers from discrimination. “Small business owners recognize that to find the most talented employees, they need to ensure their workplace has non-discrimination policies in place,” said Florida Competes spokesperson Christina Johnson. […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 9, 2017

Darryl Rouson reintroduced the Competitive Workforce Act in the Senate Thursday, a bill that seeks to ban discrimination statewide based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The St. Petersburg Democrat said the legislation makes clear that LGBTQ discrimination will no longer be tolerated in Florida housing, employment, and accommodation decisions. The bill, SB 66, and its House companion, […]

Mitch PerryNovember 7, 2017

Legislation creating a slavery memorial on the grounds of Florida’s Capitol easily advanced in a House committee Tuesday. The monument would “honor the nameless and forgotten men and women and children who have gone unrecognized, for their weighty contributions to our great states and United States,” Miami-Dade Democratic Rep. Kionne McGhee told the House Government Accountability Committee. McGhee […]

Mitch PerryNovember 6, 2017

A local bill that would make the Jeff Vinik-led Water Street Tampa development a “stewardship district” was passed by the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation at its meeting Friday in Plant City. But first, state Sen. Tom Lee said the bill needed additional vetting before becoming law. Such special districts aren’t out of the ordinary; the Legislature […]

Mitch PerryOctober 24, 2017

In the history of St. Petersburg, C. Bette Wimbish was a true trailblazer. As the first black person to hold elected office in the Tampa Bay region, Wimbish was also the first black female lawyer in Pinellas County AND the first black resident to serve on the St. Petersburg City Council. This weekend, both the city and the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 19, 2017

State Sen. and Constitution Revision Commissioner Darryl Rouson has filed a proposed constitutional amendment extending the state’s lobbying ban on former lawmakers and other elected officials from two to six years. The amendment language was posted late Wednesday on the commission’s website. The extended ban, however, would apply only “to those individuals who were members of […]

Jim RosicaOctober 10, 2017

Democrats and Republicans from both sides of the Capitol rotunda came together Tuesday to back Sen. Dana Young‘s latest try to ban fracking in Florida. Also known as hydraulic fracturing, the drilling technique involves shooting water and chemicals deep underground, breaking up rock to get at oil and natural gas that’s unreachable by conventional drilling. “Advocates […]

Tag: Darryl Rouson

Wengay Newton shrugs off Vito Sheeley criticism of car theft measure

Bill to review government efficiency sails through committee

Senate advances slavery memorial, but not before committee chair defends initial opposition

Florida’s small businesses support LGBTQ workers, customers

Darryl Rouson reintroduces LGBTQ anti-discrimination bill

Slavery memorial bill advances easily in House committee

Tom Lee wants to know more about local bill for Water Street Tampa

City to honor C. Bette Wimbish, St. Pete’s first black City Council member

Darryl Rouson files constitutional amendment extending lobbying ban

Dana Young will try for fracking ban again