Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

William PatrickJanuary 23, 2017

It’s a vicious circle: Poor people who can’t afford their court-related costs and penalties incur escalating costs for not paying, further indebting them to the state. “It’s a circle that some people get stuck in and they can’t get out,” Christopher Torres, a Tallahassee defense attorney and former Florida assistant attorney general, told Watchdog.org. Compounding the problem is […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2017

Although Friday has been a tough and day for Democrats around the country, former Florida state representative Ed Narain says he chooses to be happy as he celebrates the end of Barack Obama’s eight year administration. That’s because he writes in a statement that after Jesse Jackson failed to win the White House during his two tries in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 13, 2017

More lawmakers are gearing up for a re-election bid. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Greg Steube is one of those lawmakers who is starting to think about his next race. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2017

Republican state Senator Jeff Brandes is once again filing a bill that would prevent Floridians from having their driver’s licenses suspended for a reason unrelated to a driving violation. The legislation would reduce the number of offenses for which license suspension is prescribed and prohibit suspensions for those who show in court an inability to pay fines and fees. St. […]

Staff ReportsDecember 29, 2016

The Pinellas County Republican Party chair is castigating Democratic state Sen. Darryl Rouson over his proposal to change the Electoral College. Rouson, of St. Petersburg, told the Tampa Bay Times Wednesday that he plans to file a bill to “require the state’s presidential electors to vote for the winner of the national popular vote.” The bill, which […]

Mitch PerryDecember 20, 2016

At a town-hall meeting in Tampa’s Ybor City, newly-elected Senate District 19 Democrat Darryl Rouson said he feels that, finally, a serious attempt at criminal justice reform is going to take place in the Florida Legislature in 2017. “It’s my intention to change the Black Caucus this year so that all 28 members … really stand up […]

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 […]

Mitch PerryDecember 13, 2016

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold told a Senate Committee Tuesday that it’s time to hit the reset button on the controversial Tampa Bay Express Project. “We have had some challenges with getting that project to a point where the local communities that are affected are pleased with where it is, and so we have the benefit of […]

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: Darryl Rouson

Proposed legislation could break the cycle of debt for many caught in Florida’s legal system

On his last morning in office, Ed Narain gives thanks to the Obama presidency

Legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020

Jeff Brandes’ legislation would reform why state suspends driver’s licenses

Nick DiCeglie blasts Darryl Rouson’s Electoral College reform bill

At town hall in Ybor City, Darryl Rouson says climate is good for “true” criminal justice reform

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

FDOT Secretary says it’s time to hit reset button on TBX project

Hillsborough legislative delegation to meet December 16

Dana Young to chair Health Care policy committee