Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 17, 2017

A recent poll shows an overwhelming number of Floridians believe conversion therapy should be illegal, leading LGBT advocates to renew their call for a statewide ban. According to a recent Orlando Political Observer-Gravis Marketing poll, 71 percent of Florida voters think conversion therapy should be illegal for minors in Florida. The poll found 18 percent […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2017

Legislation to regulate transportation network companies (TNC) in Florida advanced Tuesday on its second reading through the Florida House. The bill sponsored by Palm Harbor Republican Chris Sprowls and Tampa Republican Jamie Grant (HB 221) requires ride-sharing companies to have third-parties conduct local and national criminal background checks on drivers. “That includes a multistage, multi-jurisdictional background check, a […]

Les NeuhausMarch 29, 2017

Legislation intended as a “what if’ scenario for potential snags in future political redistricting received a fair amount of blowback from several House committee members. Nevertheless, the House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee passed the bill Wednesday. HB 953, sponsored by Rep. Larry Ahern, received a thorough level of skepticism and interrogation due to a […]

Les NeuhausMarch 21, 2017

A bill approved by a Florida House committee Tuesday would increase penalties for Floridians receiving food stamps and cash aid that have not met obligations to find work. HB 23 would return those penalties to levels before the 2008 Great Recession. Cape Coral Republican Rep. Dane Eagle, who introduced the same measure in the 2016 […]

Les NeuhausMarch 16, 2017

Florida lawmakers advanced two key pieces of legislation through the House Thursday, including one to lengthen the period before elected officials could begin lobbying after their time in office. The other bill would make state attorneys and public defenders in each judicial district eligible for impeachment under the governor’s power. In an overwhelming vote, the […]

William PatrickMarch 2, 2017

Democratic lawmaker David Richardson appears to be getting his Enterprise Florida wish from his conservative House colleagues. The Miami Beach state rep won’t be getting a grant from the taxpayer-supported economic incentive organization; rather he’ll soon have a chance to help abolish it. House leadership, headed by Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, will be splitting […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 21, 2017

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A House bill that would abolish the Enterprise Florida economic development organization, eliminate a throng of business incentive programs, and strip the VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency down to a barebones $25 million budget cleared its second and final panel Tuesday. That means the measure (HB 7005), OK’d by the House Appropriations Committee on an 18-12 vote, is ready to […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2017

A bipartisan bill that would prevent animals from being sold to or adopted by people who have been convicted of animal abuse has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives. The bill (HB 871) is sponsored by South Florida Democrat Jared Moskowitz and David Richardson and Spring Hill Republican Blaise Ingoglia. It would create a publicly accessible […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 14, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On and off: Tiffany Harrington has replaced Heather Williamson as House staff director of the Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining. On: Teri Cariota, formerly an aide to former Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 24, 2017

A new House ethics panel on Tuesday unanimously approved two measures as part of Speaker Richard Corcoran’s new “culture of transparency.” One (PIE 17-01) would increase the ban on former lawmakers and statewide elected officers lobbying their colleagues after leaving office from two years to six years by way of a constitutional amendment. The other […]

Tag: David Richardson
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

71% of Floridians think conversion therapy for minors should be illegal, bills to prohibit it stalled in Legislature

House gets one step closer to passing statewide regs on Uber, Lyft

2015 redux? House committee hotly debates, passes redistricting reform

Some lawmakers worry children will suffer under new Florida work-for-welfare bill

House committee advances lobbying ban; impeachment power for attorneys, public defenders

Does splitting bill in two edge Enterprise Florida closer to chopping block?

Bill to kill business incentives, Enterprise Florida cleared for House floor

Lawmakers push to create registry of those convicted of animal cruelty

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

House panel OK’s lobbying ban extensions, won’t impeach judge