Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 28, 2015

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed its redrawn district map by a close vote of 22-18, with all 14 Democrats and four Republicans opposed. It’s now up to the House of Representatives to OK the map as is or change it and send it back as the Special Session clock ticks to an end. “We now have […]

Ryan RayOctober 22, 2015

State lawmakers are in Tallahassee for the fourth time this year to amend Senate maps found by courts to contain improper political bias. With little committee action on the calendar Thursday, several majority-party legislators got to work on their priorities ahead of the 2016 Legislative Session, which begins in January. Here’s a quick look at […]

Diane RobertsOctober 22, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – Another Special Session! Why, it’s just like Christmas – minus the joy. Minus the presents, too. While the members of the Florida Legislature rake in lobbyist largesse during committee weeks and every other hour that God sends, trawling for dollars during a Session is verboten. This makes them surly. Surlier. They aren’t […]

Diane RobertsOctober 20, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – Another Special Session! Why, it’s just like Christmas – minus the joy. Minus the presents, too. While the members of the Florida Legislature rake in lobbyist largesse during committee weeks and every other hour that God sends, trawling for dollars during a Session is verboten. This makes them surly. Surlier. They aren’t […]

Ryan RayOctober 20, 2015

Members of the Senate Health Policy Committee discussed a 2011 law designed to crack down on illicit painkiller prescriptions through “pill mills,” which Chairman Aaron Bean said has sent “the pendulum from one direction to the other.” The law, HB 7095, was spearheaded by a newly elected Attorney General Pam Bondi and then-Sen. Mike Fasano in the midst […]

Ryan RayOctober 20, 2015

Tuesday saw a rapid fire morning for gun legislation in Tallahassee, with pro-Second Amendment groups getting the better of the shoot-out. A pair of bills to expand where and how Floridians can carry firearms – on college campuses and without concealment, respectively – advanced in Senate committees, as did one that strengthens the state’s “Stand Your […]

Peter SchorschOctober 20, 2015

Politicians frequently humble-brag about campaign contributions, invoking “grassroots support” or furiously beating chests over the lack of special interest cash. Republican state Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is seeking the Northwest Florida Senate district held by his term-limited father, Don Gaetz, took in two donations earlier this year that certainly could be seen as “interesting.” Both are raising questions, […]

Phil AmmannOctober 8, 2015

Republican candidate Neal Dunn nabbed the endorsement today of three state GOP lawmakers in his bid for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. Florida House Reps. Dennis Baxley of Ocala, Jay Trumbull from Panama City and Elizabeth Porter of Lake City announced their support of the Dunn for Congress campaign. Dunn, a Panama City urologist, faces Mary […]

Brendan FarringtonOctober 7, 2015

A bill that would allow churches to refuse to marry gay couples won its first approval Wednesday even though its sponsor said churches already have that right and he knows of no cases in which a church has been forced to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony. After listening to dozens of pastors, most of whom […]

Associated PressOctober 7, 2015

Jeb Bush‘s signature achievement in education policy as Florida governor may be at risk of coming apart. A champion of what became known as Common Core education standards, Bush pushed a set of high-stakes tests for students and a system of grading schools as the centerpiece of an education agenda that defines much of his […]

Tag: Don Gaetz

Senate passes new district map, sends to House

Legislative roundup: Slew of Republican bills introduced Thursday

Diane Roberts: Charm and grace again flow downhill from Capitol

Diane Roberts: Charm and grace again flow downhill from Capitol

Senators say anti-pill mill law has seen patients’ pain go untreated

Controversial gun bills advance in Senate

After calling for sin tax, Matt Gaetz nabs checks from South Florida strip clubs

Neal Dunn nabs endorsement of three state GOP lawmakers

Bill would allow Florida churches to say no to gay marriages

As Jeb Bush campaigns, Florida struggles with his schools legacy