Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

Sponsors of a measure that would make texting and driving a primary offense in Florida on Wednesday continued their fight for the bill’s passage, even though it appears dead in the Senate. The House bill (HB 33), which has the support of House Speaker Richard Corcoran, was heard on the House floor. The measure is sponsored by […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 26, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Andrea Jahna is no longer legislative assistant to Lake Placid Republican Sen. Denise Grimsley. Off: Karen Riggien is no longer legislative assistant for Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels. Off: Daniel Martinez is no longer legislative assistant for […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 6, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Austin Kernan is a new legislative analyst in the Senate Majority Office. Off: Cathy Boyett is no longer a committee administrative assistant for the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee. Off: Administrative support staffer Lindsey Locke is no longer with […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2018

If you are reading this and driving, stop. It can wait. More than 5 crashes occur every hour because of someone texting behind the wheel. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 500,000 distracted driving crashes in Florida, resulting in more than 200 fatalities in 2016. As […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 23, 2018

Florida police may finally be able to pull over and ticket drivers caught texting while driving—without first seeing another infraction—under a bill advanced by a Senate committee Tuesday. But first, several black lawmakers registered concerns over how the bill could lead to potential police abuses. Sponsored by Gainesville Republican Keith Perry, the bill (SB 90) […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 18, 2018

david-richardson-10.12-e1509567403955.jpg

State Rep. David Richardson announced a wave of endorsements for his congressional campaign Wednesday from his Democratic colleagues in the Florida Legislature. The Miami Beach Democrat picked up nods from Sen. Linda Stewart and Reps. Bruce Antone, John Cortes, Katie Edwards-Walpole, Patrick Henry, Kristin Jacobs, Amy Mercado, Wengay Newton, David Silvers, Emily Slosberg, Cynthia Stafford, […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 10, 2018

Members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday advanced bills that would have different outcomes on Florida’s felon population, which prompted one Democrat to call arguments on one of the bills “flat out stupid.” The bills before the House panel would create third-degree felonies for inmates who bring cellphones into county jails, a separate […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 10, 2018

A bill that would allow police to pull over and ticket drivers who are texting cleared its second Senate panel Wednesday, with a unanimous vote from the Senate Committee on Transportation. Texting while driving is currently a ‘secondary offense’ in Florida, meaning law enforcement can tack on an additional charge for texting motorists who are […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2018

A bill that would change texting-while-driving to a ‘primary’ offense unanimously cleared a House committee on Tuesday, the first day of the 2018 Legislative Session. The bill (HB 33), sponsored by Tampa Republican Jackie Toledo and Boca Raton Democrat Emily Slosberg, was considered by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Florida was one of the last states in […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2018

Emily Slosberg, a Democratic state Representative from Boca Raton, announced this past weekend she is stepping down from the board of the Florida Young Democrats. “It has been an honor serving on the board of Fl Young Dems! I already miss it! I will always be a FYD at heart,” Slosberg posted on Facebook Sunday. […]

Tag: Emily Slosberg

Primary texting-while-driving ban teed up in House

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Jackie Toledo: Texting-while-driving bill will make Florida streets safer

Senate advances tougher texting-while-driving penalties

14 Florida lawmakers endorse David Richardson for CD 27

In criminal justice debate, House member calls cell phone bill ‘flat out stupid’

Texting while driving ban clears second Senate panel

House panel moves texting-while-driving bill

Emily Slosberg leaves board of Florida Young Democrats

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.