Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2016

Although the Senate bill to remove the statue of a Confederate general from one of Florida’s two places in the National Statuary Hall Collection advanced in committee Wednesday, it was hardly smooth sailing. Momentum for such legislation began last summer, after the South Carolina Legislature removed the Confederate battle flag from its statehouse grounds after a racist […]

Ryan RayJanuary 20, 2016

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will speak to reporters and the public about a pair of controversial gun bills circulating in the Legislature at her old state Capitol stamping grounds Thursday. Broward Sen. Chris Smith will join the Democratic National Committee chairwoman in Tallahassee to oppose legislative proposals to allow Floridians to openly carry firearms and to strike […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2016

Florida Department of Environmental Protection head Jon Steverson was formally confirmed in his position by members of the Senate’s Ethics and Elections Committee on Wednesday. That affirmation, though, came only after he was grilled by the panel about controversial decisions or statements made under his watch the past year. The Senate refused to confirm him in last year’s regular […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 19, 2016

Sen. Don Gaetz used his appearance before the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding to outline several health care proposals before the state Legislature during the 2016 Session. The Niceville Republican, also used his appearance to remind members of Gov. Rick Scott’s commission that all recommendations are subject to an objective, nonpolitical analysis. “When it comes […]

Associated PressJanuary 17, 2016

A major ethics and anti-corruption bill that advocates say is long overdue – but critics say may go too far – faces a rocky path in the Legislature. The legislation seeks to end what a 2010 grand jury called a “corruption tax” on Florida citizens amounting to millions a year in extra taxes, government fees […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Hours after the House moved its own legislation reining in the state’s oversight body for high school athletics, the Senate on Thursday heard its own versions, moving forward two competing reforms. The PreK-12 Education Committee, chaired by GOP state Sen. John Legg, approved both SB 1026 and SB 684, both aimed at changing the way the Florida High School Athletic Association […]

Ryan RayJanuary 14, 2016

A controversial new ethics proposal backed by the Gannett chain of newspapers has just scored an advancement in its quest to become law. The so-called “anti-corruption” bill that would hold government contractors to standards now applied to many elected officials has just been adopted as part of Sen. Don Gaetz‘s SB 686, an omnibus ethics reform […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

The sausage-making began in earnest Wednesday morning, as the Florida Senate teed up nine bills for final approval and passed a sweeping $95 million educational policy bill and a water protection measure desired by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. The education bill (SB 672) was sponsored by GOP state Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville, a former schools superintendent. Among other […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 12, 2016

High-profile lawyer-lobbyist Sean Pittman, who formerly represented the Florida Limousine Association, is switching sides to Uber, the ride-sharing service. Pittman, one of INFLUENCE magazine’s “Top 100 Influencers,” is a big get for Uber, based in San Francisco. Pittman’s reach is statewide, with a presence in Tallahassee, Palm Beach County, and Miami. Expect Pittman and Uber to push lawmakers […]

Ryan RayJanuary 11, 2016

An anti-corruption bill with roots in the editorial department of a newspaper hit a snag in a Senate panel Monday, after a protracted debate over specific provisions and about the proper role of the news media momentarily killed it. Former Senate President Don Gaetz is carrying SB 582, a bill which began as a proposal by the Florida-based Gannett […]

Tag: Don Gaetz

Proposal to remove Confederate statue passes through Senate panel after debate

Chris Smith to appear with Debbie Wasserman Schultz to address state gun measures

Jon Steverson grilled on fracking, timber harvesting, hunting in state parks by Senate panel

Don Gaetz outlines Senate health care proposals for governor’s health care panel

Anti-corruption bill faces rocky path in Legislature

Competing high-school athletics bills moving in Senate

Gannett public corruption bill now attached to broader Senate ethics package

Senate passes education, water bills

Lobbyist Sean Pittman switches sides in ride-sharing wars

Public corruption bill hits snag amid senators’ furor