Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonMarch 7, 2017

The Hillsborough County public school district has straightforward rules in its student handbook about religion. It says students can talk about religion, practice their religion, can be excused to observe a religious holiday, and – most important for the context of our discussion today – decide for themselves whether they want to participate in things […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 3, 2017

A priority for Jacksonville Rep. Kim Daniels this term: a bill she’s sponsoring in the Florida House to protect “religious expression in public schools.” Her House Bill 303, a measure intended to give religious and secular expression equal weight in public schools, has a Senate companion being carried by Ocala Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley. Senate Bill 436 — the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

It’s never too early in the day to start fundraising. Sen. Denise Grimsley is scheduled to hold a fundraising reception for her 2018 bid for Agriculture Commissioner at 7:30 a.m. on March 7 at Florida Finance Strategies, 111-B East College Avenue in Tallahassee. The reception, according to a copy of the invitation, is hosted by […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 21, 2017

On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee heard from the Agency for State Technology. The AST, legislated into existence in 2014, appears on the outside to be in flux. A recent audit of the AST hammered it for a lack of internal controls. Meanwhile, CIO Jason Allison is on his way out the […]

Florence SnyderFebruary 20, 2017

In 10 years as head of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), Stephen Auger didn’t do much to solve the chronic, critical problems of people who work hard, play by the rules, and still can’t afford a decent place to live. But he won the hearts and minds of millionaire senators like Dennis Baxley and […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 19, 2017

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Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper is assembling an impressive number of high-profile state lawmakers for a Tallahassee reception next month. Hooper, a former state representative, is seeking the open Senate District 16 seat currently held by Jack Latvala. Hooper’s campaign fundraiser will be Monday, March 6, from 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Governors Club, 202 South Adams […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

Republican lawmakers came to the defense of the state’s beleaguered affordable housing organization during a presentation of audit findings critical of the agency. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee formally heard the report Thursday; the audit of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. (FHFC), steward of both state and federal affordable housing money, was released in December. Lawmakers focused on lavish […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2017

If the people of Florida want to make their voices heard in Tallahassee, they may have to speak a bit more emphatically going forward. Senate Joint Resolution 866, filed by Ocala Republican Dennis Baxley, would require a 2/3 majority to amend the Florida Constitution. The current threshold is 60 percent. Recent high-profile ballot measures have cleared the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 7, 2017

Florida lawmakers are once again debating this year whether the state should stop using red light cameras — but the conversation may not be long. On a 2-2 tie, state Sen. Frank Artiles’ bill (SB 178), to repeal the use of such cameras statewide, died Tuesday in the Senate Transportation Committee. A House companion (HB 6007), however, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 23, 2017

Last week, Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kim Daniels filed House Bill 303, a measure intended to give religious and secular expression equal weight in public schools. This week, the bill found a Senate companion. Senate Bill 436 — the “Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act” — would ban school districts “from discriminating against students, parents, & school […]

Tag: Dennis Baxley

Just imagine huge can of worms opened by religious liberty bill

Kim Daniels compels fasting in support of religious expression in schools

Bring on the orange juice: Denise Grimsley schedules breakfast fundraiser for March 7

Agency for State Technology gets softballs in Senate committee

Dan Raulerson and Dennis Baxley say ‘Let them eat steak’

Impressive roster of GOP leaders line up for Ed Hooper fundraiser

GOP lawmakers defend Florida Housing Finance Corp.’s expenses

Lawmakers would require two-thirds vote to amend Florida constitution

Bill to kill red-light cameras doesn’t get the votes in Senate

Florida Senate to consider public school ‘religious liberties’ bill