Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2017

A review panel has killed a proposed constitutional amendment that would have added financial oversight duties to the state’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The proposal (P68), filed by Commissioner Tom Lee, died on a tie vote in the Constitution Revision Commission‘s Executive Committee on Tuesday as some panel members raised fiscal and legal questions. A parliamentary […]

Guest AuthorNovember 25, 2017

Right now, Floridians have a chance to finally put a stop to one of the cruelest “sports” left in America – greyhound racing. Two past Florida Senate Presidents, Tom Lee and Don Gaetz, have introduced an amendment that would phase out greyhound racing in the Sunshine State to the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission, the 37-member […]

Drew WilsonNovember 16, 2017

October campaign finance reports show Republican Rebekah Bydlak holding onto her lead in the three-way race for House District 1, currently held by term-limited Rep. Clay Ingram. The Cantonment Republican added $7,240 to her campaign account last month for a to-date total of $71,512. Bydlak also spent $8,387, leaving her with $63,125 in the bank […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerOctober 23, 2017

Sen. Bill Galvano, a 51-year-old lawyer from Bradenton, will be designated Tuesday by Senate Republicans as the next president of the Florida Senate. The Republican lawmaker will lead the 40-member Senate for two years after the November 2018 general elections, assuming the Republicans hold their majority — now at a 24-16 margin — in the […]

Drew WilsonAugust 7, 2017

Former state Sen. Jeremy Ring headed into August with about $130,000 on hand after spending more than he raised in July for his Chief Financial Officer bid. The Margate Democrat brought in a total of $45,396 between his campaign account and his political committee, “Florida Action Fund PC.” Combined, the two entities spent $60,515, including […]

Scott PowersJune 6, 2017

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission now has a set of rules for how it might go about writing major changes to Florida’s Constitution. Those rules — addressing such matters as who will appoint committees, how proposals will move through committees, whether Florida’s Sunshine laws will cover everything — emerged from a sometimes chaotic debate in Orlando […]

Joe HendersonJune 1, 2017

The irony of the state Constitutional Revision Commission trying to avoid sunshine laws is almost too rich to describe. If allowed to happen, that would be a dark day indeed. But that’s exactly what CRC Chair Carlos Beruff is proposing, even as the commission continues a series of town hall meetings designed to take public input […]

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

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The Constitution Revision Commission met on Wednesday for the first time to go over their controversial rules while meeting in Tampa. A rules committee first met before a public hearing, scheduled for tonight, starting with a lengthy discussion kicked off by GOP former state Sen. Don Gaetz. The 37-member board should abide by budget language pending before Gov. Rick […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

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Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz and former Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith are among those tapped by current Senate President Joe Negron to sit on the state’s Constitution Revision Commission. Negron, a Stuart Republican, announced his list Wednesday in a press release. Gaetz, a Niceville Republican in the Senate 2006-16, and Smith, a Fort Lauderdale […]

Jim RosicaDecember 22, 2016

Former Senate President Don Gaetz said he respects Will Weatherford’s decision not to run for governor in 2018, but is “disappointed for Florida.” “I spoke with Will about his decision,” said Gaetz, who presided over the Senate in 2012-14 when Weatherford, a Wesley Chapel Republican, was House Speaker. “One of the attributes of Will Weatherford […]

Tag: Don Gaetz

Tom Lee’s proposal to augment CFO duties dies in committee

Kate MacFall: CRC should pass amendment on greyhound racing

Rebekah Bydlak maintains fundraising lead in HD 1 race

Bill Galvano brings policy skills to top Senate post

Jeremy Ring raised $45K in July for CFO bid, spent $60K

After a seemingly rule-less meeting, constitution panel adopts rules

Joe Henderson: Sunshine law should remind leaders that people of Florida are citizens, not serfs

Constitutional panel agrees to follow state budget language

Don Gaetz, Chris Smith among Joe Negron’s constitutional review panel picks

Don Gaetz is ‘saving his Rolodex’ for Will Weatherford