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Staff ReportsJanuary 5, 2017

Legislation filed in the Florida Senate would allow Ruth Eckert Hall and similar auditoriums to benefit from taxes raised to promote tourism. SB 68 by Sen. Denise Grimsley would clarify that tourist development tax dollars may flow to facilities, like Clearwater’s Eckerd Hall, that are publicly owned but managed by nonprofit organizations. Existing law allows […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 22, 2016

Senate President Joe Negron can drop the “designate” from his title. Florida senators voted unanimously to elect Negron as the 87th president of the Florida Senate during its organizational meeting. “There’s one thing about Joe Negron, he’s always respectful and kind. He truly cares about those that he represents. While Joe is thoughtful and considerate, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 29, 2016

With nearly $3.5 million in the bank and no races to spend it on, some Florida lawmakers are left figuring out what to do with the last of their campaign cash. While their colleagues are sweating out contested races, 42 members of the House and Senate are looking for ways to spend down the war […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 27, 2016

The political committee formed to help Republican state Senate candidates raised more than $5 million since April. State records show the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee raised nearly $5.2 million between April 1 and Aug. 25. The committee is led by Senate President Designate Joe Negron, and was set up by Senate leaders to raise money for […]

Bill RuftyJuly 12, 2016

Health care — and expanded Medicaid funds offered by the federal government — are still on the minds of many Floridians if a barrage of questions from Tuesday’s Tiger Bay of Polk County luncheon is any indication. State Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, came to the lunch prepared to discuss the accomplishments of the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 1, 2016

Lizbeth Benacquisto raised more than $50,000 in June, bring her total fundraising haul to more than $300,000. State records show Benacquisto raised $52,600 between June 1 and June 24. The three-week haul brings the Fort Myers Republican’s fundraising total to $306,571. Benacquisto received $1,000 donations from “Working for Florida’s Families,” the political committee backing Sen. Ron […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

You might want to call them instant winners. As of 5 p.m. Friday, a dozen Florida Senate candidates appeared to win their elections when the qualifying period ended without them drawing opposition. Newcomers Lauren Book and George Gainer were among those candidates who did not draw an opponent. Gainer, a Bay County Republican, ran unopposed […]

Bill RuftyMay 24, 2016

A fundraiser for Sam Killebrew, Republican primary candidate for Florida House District 41, is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday at the home of Harriet and Dean Boring, 2112 Hawthorne Trail, in Lakeland. Killebrew, retired contractor and a GOP fundraiser and activist, is competing with retired appellate Judge Charles Davis for the party’s nomination. The winner […]

Drew WilsonMay 12, 2016

A Polk County Democrat announced this week that she will run against Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel in the newly redrawn Senate District 22. Former Polk County School Board member Debra Wright made the announcement Monday during the Open House at the Democratic Headquarters in Haines City, During the same meeting she earned the support […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 9, 2016

HD 16 Republican Dick Kravitz promised, early on in his campaign to succeed term-limited Charles McBurney, that the money would come through when he needed it. And April gives proof to that claim. $13,250 of new money brought Kravitz’s total raised up to $91,275. The veteran Jacksonville politico has only spent $9,490 thus far, leaving him […]

Tag: denise grimsley

Bill would qualify Ruth Eckerd Hall for tourism tax dollars

Joe Negron formally elected as Senate president

Elected unopposed, Florida lawmakers must decide what to do with leftover campaign cash

Florida Republicans state Senate campaign arm raises more than $5M ahead of primaries

Denise Grimsley: Health care top issue for 2017 Legislature

Lizbeth Benacquisto raises more than $50K in SD 27 race

Instant winners aplenty in Florida Senate races

HD 41 candidate Sam Killebrew to hold Lakeland fundraiser Thursday

Kelli Stargel draws Polk County Democrat challenger in SD 22 race

HD 16 Republican Dick Kravitz posts strong April, still trails Jason Fischer