Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 8, 2015

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Another South Florida lawmaker is trying again to establish pilot programs in coastal communities to outlaw plastic shopping bags. State Rep. David Richardson, a Miami Beach Democrat, filed his bill (HB 143) on Tuesday. Last session, state Sen. Dwight Bullard, a Cutler Bay Democrat, filed similar legislation that died in committee. Richardson’s bill would let […]

Phil AmmannAugust 31, 2015

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With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Kama Monroe has become senior attorney on the House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee. On: Jessi McDonald is now district secretary for Pensacola Republican Rep. Clay Ingram. On: Santino Andrews is now legislative assistant […]

Ryan RayJuly 6, 2015

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Rep. David Richardson ruffled more than a few Democratic feathers in Miami when he filed paperwork to replace Sen. Gwen Margolis in Miami’s SD 35 before it was clear she wanted to leave it. Richardson’s new solution? Run for both. As first reported by Ladra in the Political Cortadito, Richardson has backed off his initial plans to run for the Senate in […]

Drew WilsonJune 21, 2015

As of June, none of the 12 Florida Senators running for reelection is facing much of a challenge — Democratic Sen. Jeff Clemens is the only incumbent to draw an opponent so far, but it won’t derail him from another term. District 29 looks set as well, with Democratic Rep. Jim Waldman having a clear path to take over for outgoing Sen. Jeremy […]

Drew WilsonJune 18, 2015

The crash landing that ended the 2015 Regular Legislative Session in the Republican-led Florida House would be a gift to Democrats in any other state, but few seats are in any real danger of flipping come Election Day 2016. With 25 term-limited seats, District 114 is one of the few with a real chance to flip though Democrats […]

Mitch PerryJune 11, 2015

It took him awhile, but Florida Governor Rick Scott today signed HB 7013, an adoption bill that offers financial incentives for qualifying employees of state agencies who adopt a child from the child welfare system. The measure would provide $5,000 payments to government workers who adopt foster children, with the payments increasing to $10,000 for adopting children […]

Ryan RayJune 7, 2015

Two $10 million line items were at issue in Sunday’s meeting of Transportation & Economic Development budget conference panel, the third this weekend as lawmakers from both chambers of the Legislature sit down to hash out their considerable budget differences. The controversial public-private “All Aboard Florida” rail plan favored by Gov. Rick Scott made progress in […]

Mitch PerryMay 7, 2015

Social conservatives in Florida are urging Gov. Rick Scott to veto an adoption bill because it lacks a “conscience protection” provision for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies. CS-HB 7013 was a bill strongly supported by Senate President Andy Gardiner when the session began. It re-creates a program to provide a financial benefit of $5,000 or $10,000 […]

Ryan RayApril 27, 2015

Former Democratic Rep. Joe Saunders is “talking to family and friends about what the future may hold” now that Rep. Rene Plasencia – who narrowly defeated Saunders in a razor-thin contest in District 49 last November – has opted to run in a more Republican-leaning adjacent district in 2016. Saunders took to social media on Sunday and later caught up with Florida […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

Language from a comprehensive House water bill was added on Thursday to other environmental legislation in the House over objections from Democrats. The water bill language lacks key components of the Senate bill that are important to that chamber’s leadership, raising questions about whether the move represents gamesmanship between the two chambers. Some environmentalists say […]

Tag: David Richardson

Ban the bag, South Florida lawmaker says

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

David Richardson makes way for Gwen Margolis, will seek House seat in 2016

Keep your eyes on these 8 state Senate campaigns

Florida House races continue to take shape in central, south Florida

Rick Scott signs bill that repeals gay-adoption ban in Florida

Heat, lightning in air as economic development funding flies

Florida Family Action urges Rick Scott to veto adoption bill

Democrat Joe Saunders considers comeback in House District 49

House water bill language finds new home as Session winds down