Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2018

A bill that would allow write-in candidates to run for districts they do not live in cleared the Legislature in the closing days of Session and is now ready for a signature from Gov. Rick Scott. HB 6009, sponsored by Dania Beach Democratic Rep. Joe Geller, fixes some inconsistencies in the law when it comes […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 8, 2018

The state is one step closer to removing a barrier for a black farmer to receive a medical marijuana growing license. The Senate on Thursday passed a bill (HB 6049) that would delete a provision from statutes requiring a black farmer to be a member of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association Florida Chapter to […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 7, 2018

Without hesitation, the state Senate temporarily postponed on Wednesday two bills that would’ve expanded gun rights in Florida. This late in the Legislative Session, the move is a sign that the chamber does not intend to vote on the two pieces of legislation. One bill, SB 1048, had been postponed by Senate President Joe Negron […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 21, 2018

A Senate bill that would allow guns in churches with schools attached was temporarily postponed on Wednesday, but it could still come back later in the legislative session. As Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors filled the seats in the Senate gallery, Senate President Joe Negron said the gun bill by Republican Sen. Dennis […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 21, 2018

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Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Matt Caldwell on Wednesday said he believes making schools gun-free zones is the main reason on why tragedies like last week’s mass shooting at a Broward County high school happen. “I believe that these … shootings happen because (schools) are soft targets—they happen because we designate them gun-free zones,” said Caldwell, a […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 20, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly avoided killing a campus “free speech” bill, opting to instead temporarily postpone it after the roll had been called despite objections the move was not procedurally sound. SB 1234, sponsored by Ocala Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley, would erase dedicated “free speech zones” on college campuses, instead opening entire campuses to […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2018

Republican state Sen. Dennis Baxley recently withdrew a bill to allow designated people to carry concealed firearms on school grounds. Nevertheless, it didn’t slow down a Democratic congressman from California from tearing into the idea Saturday during a national radio program. Baxley sponsored SB 1236, a proposal to allow school principals or superintendents to designate individuals who could carry […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 16, 2018

A day after 17 people were gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Republican Sen. Greg Steube scheduled a hearing for a gun bill he is co-sponsoring that would allow school officials to designate certain people to carry concealed weapons on campus. School principals and school district superintendents would be able to choose one […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 6, 2018

The Senate version of the “Campus Free Expression Act” cleared its first panel on a party-line vote Tuesday over the opposition of the state’s American Civil Liberties Union chapter. The ACLU of Florida says the bill (SB 1234) “would make Florida public colleges and universities legally liable for disruptions caused by student protesters.” Democrats on the […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 26, 2018

Welcome to the United States of America, otherwise known as the world’s largest free speech zone. Unfortunately, too many college administrators don’t see it that way. On campuses across Florida and the rest of the nation, people in charge of higher education have established euphemistically named “free speech zones” that limit the places where students […]

Tag: Dennis Baxley

Bill changing write-in rules clears Legislature

Legislature backs bill removing black farmer medical marijuana requirement

Pro-gun bills look doomed in Senate

With Parkland students present, Senate postpones gun bill vote

Matt Caldwell: Gun-free zones led to Parkland shooting

Senate panel postpones ‘campus free speech’ bill

California lawmaker calls out Dennis Baxley over his guns in schools proposal

Day after school shooting, Senate panel sets hearing for gun bill

ACLU objects but ‘free expression’ bill clears Senate committee

Demetrius Minor: The only free speech zone in Florida ought to be Florida