Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 14, 2016

We liked this lead so much from last week, we’re recycling it: With halftime in the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, “the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: ‘… so close/And yet so far.’ “ With budget votes in each chamber and conference ready to begin, about $1 billion still separates […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

As the Florida Senate began considering its proposed $80.9 billion budget, state Sen. Don Gaetz on Wednesday defended his recommendation for a $30 million competitive grants program for after-school mentoring instead of direct funding. Gaetz, who chairs the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said he wanted to save nonprofits on “expensive lobbying and the anguish of the Legislative Session.” […]

Ryan RayFebruary 1, 2016

The Senate Health Policy committee narrowly approved pair of closely watched health care bills Monday afternoon, auguring much more debate still to come about the proposals. Bills to weaken the state’s “certificates of need” regime for hospital licensing, and to shield patients from a medical collections practice known as “balance billing” passed by votes of […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2016

The Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, chaired by Hollywood Democratic Sen. Eleanor Sobel, on Thursday unanimously passed Senate Bill 12, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, sponsored by Hialeah Republican Sen. Rene Garcia to improve the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services. “Our current system of behavioral health services is fragmented […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2015

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – the legislative merry-go-round. On: Caitlin Butler, formerly Florida field director for Turning Point USA, is now district secretary for Altamonte Springs Republican State Rep. Bob Cortes. Off: Jonathon Little is no longer Cortes’ legislative assistant. He […]

Ryan RayDecember 4, 2015

Broward Sen. Eleanor Sobel announced Friday she will run for mayor of Hollywood, confirming speculation that began shortly after Mayor Peter Bober announced he would not seek re-election. Sobel said in September she was “forestalling any decision until after the Legislative Session is completed in March” of next year, but has had a change of heart. The Democratic […]

Mitch PerryDecember 1, 2015

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Florida is one of only three states that still has a law on the books prohibiting men and women from living together if they are not married. Attempts in 2011 and again in this year’s regular Legislative Session to repeal it failed, but Hollywood Democratic state Sen. Eleanor Sobel hopes it finally will happen in 2016. […]

Phil AmmannNovember 24, 2015

With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off and On: Nancy Bernier is no longer a legislative assistant for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. She is now the district secretary for Melbourne Republican state Rep. Ritch Workman. Off: […]

Drew WilsonOctober 13, 2015

It’s been a six weeks since Lauren Book began her run for termed-out Sen. Eleanor Sobel’s Senate District 33 seat, and her first campaign finance report showed quite the haul. The author and advocate entered the race Sept. 1 with more than $660,000 in committee money on-hand. September saw a $42,000 gain in committee money, […]

Ryan RayOctober 5, 2015

Hollywood Sen. Eleanor Sobel filed the “Victoria Q. Gaetz Racing Greyhound Protection Act” for the second time in as many years Friday. The bill, whose title honors the animal-loving wife of former Senate president Sen. Don Gaetz, would mandate that greyhound racetrack operators report all injuries to the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation. While many tracks […]

Tag: Eleanor Sobel
Image via DFS

Takeaways from Tallahassee: A good week for lobbyists, a tough one for oranges, Ed Narain

Senate budget: Don Gaetz questioned over mentoring funding

Senate health care panel narrowly advances CON, balance billing changes

Senate committee passes legislation to improve delivery of mental health, substance abuse services

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Eleanor Sobel running for mayor of Hollywood

Bill to repeal shacking up ban unanimously passes in committee

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Lauren Book posts blockbuster fundraising numbers in Senate race

Greyhound injury reporting bill again circulates for 2016 Session