Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2015

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On Thursday, the Florida House passed Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur‘s controversial “conscience protection” bill. The legislation would allow private adoption agencies whose “written religious or moral convictions” do not permit children in their care to be adopted by gays or lesbians to refuse to make such placements. The agencies would not face the possibility of losing their […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

The Florida House on Thursday passed a measure that would let private agencies who cite religious or moral grounds to turn away gay couples seeking to adopt children. By a 75-38 vote, HB 7111, sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur, was passed. Brodeur proposed the legislation only after the House voted last month to repeal the […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday advanced a controversial bill that its sponsor says would protect the religious rights of private adoption agencies. However, Democrats, LGBT activists and others say it would give those agencies carte blanche to discriminate against same-sex couples. Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur‘s bill emerged in the past month, immediately after […]

Ryan RayMarch 27, 2015

In what is shaping up to be an expensive battle to succeed former Senate President Gwen Margolis in District 35, Andrew Korge is starting his campaign with a fundraiser with an impressive roster of supporters. They include major Democratic contributors and elected officials from across Miami-Dade. Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell, South Miami Mayor Phillip […]

Mitch PerryMarch 23, 2015

Last week the House Health & Human Services Committee approved a proposal that would allow private adoption agencies to object to “performing, assisting in, recommending, consenting to, or participating in the placement of a child if a placement violates the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.” The measure, sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur, […]

Ryan RayMarch 18, 2015

The rumors have flown about Senate District 35 for almost a year now — will former Senate President Gwen Margolis of Miami Beach call it quits before she terms out? Does she have a deal with Andrew Korge? Is Miami Beach Democratic Rep. David Richardson trying to push the dean of the Senate out of her seat by talking up […]

Tag: David Richardson

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

Jason Brodeur says it’s time for truce on gay adoption controversy

Florida House approves law to allow private agencies to turn away gay couples from adopting

House moves adoption agency “conscience protection” bill forward

Andrew Korge starting state Senate campaign with pol-studded fundraiser

ACLU attorney says new House bill to prevent gay adoptions in Florida is unconstitutional

Andrew Korge files for 2020 state Senate run; South Florida dominos set to fall