Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayApril 24, 2015

As is the case with so many other issues – not least of which is the $4 million budget chasm stemming from inter-cameral differences on hospital funding for indigent services – the House and Senate still seem to be quite a ways off from passing anything resembling a unified ride sharing bill to govern firms […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

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A public records bill oil and natural gas hydraulic fracturing passed its final committee stop with the bill sponsor indicating it is in trouble as it heads to the Senate floor. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as high-pressure well stimulation or fracking, involves the use of water, sand and chemicals to extract oil and gas from […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

With a newfound emphasis on a ridesharing scourge sponsor Sen. David Simmons called “rogue drivers,” a bill to require greater insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft continued along its road to this afternoon in the Senate. Simmons’ SB 1298 – which also deals with short-term property rental companies like Airbnb, another facet of the emerging “sharing economy” – […]

Mitch PerryApril 20, 2015

In Tallahassee on Monday, a state Senate committee postponed a vote on a controversial bill that would allow private adoption agencies in Florida to turn away same-sex couples based on religious and moral beliefs. The fate of the legislation is now in question. Senate Rules Committee Chairman David Simmons said he would confer with Senate President […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 7, 2015

Less than a week after House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Corcoran complained that the Senate wouldn’t consider any of his chamber’s health care proposals the Senate Health Policy Committee will take up a bill on “direct primary care” when it meets Tuesday. The proposed bill — SB 7084 — incorporates the substance of HB […]

Peter SchorschApril 1, 2015

Who would have guessed on primary night 2014 that the Florida Justice Association would look so formidable at halftime of this year’s Legislative Session? After playing and losing in a handful of Republican primaries that night, the FJA continued to take a political battering last cycle. They doubled down on Charlie Crist‘s close-but-no-cigar challenge to Rick […]

Ryan RayApril 1, 2015

Florida’s so-called “dreamers”- undocumented youth who were brought to this country as children – received a rude April Fools joke from the Senate majority this afternoon. Sen. Darren Soto introduced an amendment to SB 2500, better known as the Senate budget proposal, that would have prevented Attorney General Pam Bondi from pursuing a lawsuit against the Obama […]

Ryan RayApril 1, 2015

Though ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are getting most of the ink these days, you’d be a fool to sleep on the short-term rental aspect of the new so-called sharing economy. Companies like industry leader Airbnb are challenging zoning rules, raising the ire of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and raising questions about fundamental property rights. Such a complex issue […]

Peter SchorschApril 1, 2015

Who would have guessed on primary night 2014 that the Florida Justice Association would look so formidable at halftime of this year’s Legislative Session? After playing and losing in a handful of Republican primaries that night, the FJA continued to take a political battering last cycle. They doubled down on Charlie Crist‘s close-but-no-cigar challenge to Rick Scott, Amendment 2 […]

James CallMarch 23, 2015

One Monday in Florida politics the Senate had the Capitol to itself while the House traveled back to Tallahassee. As Senate committees considered three separate tax-cut proposals, Gov. Rick Scott started a “Cut My Taxes Week” by setting up a booth in the state Capitol where an average Florida family can calculate its savings from different […]

Tag: David Simmons

House Uber bill TP’d, resolution with Senate still uncertain

Hydraulic fracturing public records bill passes Senate panel as opposition mounts

Senate Uber insurance bill advances with new tweaks amid debate

Senate panel postpones vote on gay adoption ban

Senate unveils health care train that includes a priority of House health care bill

Takeaway from Tallahassee — Midway through 2015 session, Florida Justice Association emerging as early winner

Senate passes language preventing Pam Bondi suit against feds, takes it back

Southern Strategy Group lands short-term rentals giant Airbnb

Midway through 2015 Session, Florida Justice Association emerging as early winner

The day that was in the Florida politics — March 23