Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 8, 2016

FloridaΓÇÖs_Historic_Capitol_and_Florida_State_Capitol_2-1024x1024.jpg

A bill that would ban discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has one more chance of passage. The Senate judiciary committee on Monday temporarily postponed the measure (SB 120). The measure, which prohibits gender- and sexuality-based workforce discrimination, will be taken up again Tuesday. Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida, said in […]

Ryan RayFebruary 8, 2016

A bill to prohibit gender- and sexuality-based workplace discrimination died momentarily in a Senate panel, before being revived by legislative maneuvering. Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee was likely the most controversial of the 2016, in both form and in substance. Senators took up SB 120, a bill supporters are calling the “Competitive Workforce Act,” […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 8, 2016

When it comes to LGBT issues, Florida’s Republican lawmakers are known more for trying to keep transgender people out of bathrooms, protect pastors from marrying same-sex couples and seek exemptions for private adoption agencies who don’t want to place children with gay and lesbian couples. But this year, some Republican lawmakers are backing a bill […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 27, 2016

State lawmakers on Wednesday OK’d two bills aimed at improving literacy rates. Among other things, the House measure (HB 7021) requires teachers who teach retained third graders to hold a reading certificate and calls on the Department of Education to review certification. Included in the Senate proposal (SB 1068) are provisions that call on districts […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 10, 2015

On Wednesday evening, former Jacksonville mayoral candidate and current Jax Chamber Chairwoman-elect Audrey Moran, at Intuition Ale Works in North Riverside, made the case for expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance. Moran, who has been unstinting in this case for years, spoke at a Jacksonville Coalition for Equality “Happy Hour” event, opening her remarks with […]

Melissa RossNovember 30, 2015

Back in 2012, he was one of a chorus of evangelical pastors in North Florida speaking out against updating Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance to cover LGBT citizens from discrimination in jobs, housing and public accommodations. But now, the Reverend R.L. Gundy has changed his mind. “There’s no conflict between your Biblical stance and the issue. […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2015

Lisa Montelione said it was “excruciatingly hard” to decide to give up her Tampa City Council seat next year, but that’s what will happen now that she’s decided to run for the Florida Legislature in 2016. She’ll take on fellow Democrat Mike Reedy in the House District 63 primary next August, with the winner to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 25, 2015

Last week, Jupiter U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy joined 46 other House Democrats in voting for the SAFE Act, which requires new screening requirements for refugees from Syria and Iraq before they can enter the United States. That vote came despite a vow by President Barack Obama to veto the legislation should it […]

Ryan RayOctober 21, 2015

Rep. Julio Gonzalez filed his first bill of the 2016 legislative year on Wednesday, and it was a doozy: a proposal to give immunity to certain businesses that don’t want to render certain services on grounds of “religious freedom,” including private child-placement agencies. Specifically, the bill amends the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1998” to read that […]

Associated PressOctober 21, 2015

Orange County’s government is ending domestic-partner benefits for unmarried same sex couples now that gay marriage is legal. County commissioners on Tuesday repealed the domestic partner benefits program for Orange County employees who are in unmarried gay relationships. The repeal takes effect at the start of next year. Eleven county employees use the program, and […]

Tag: Equality Florida
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Capitol Reax: Changes to municipal elections, LGBT discrimination bans

Anti-LGBT discrimination bill on life support after contentious vote

Legislature considers anti-discrimination bill for LGBT rights

Capitol reax: Literacy initiatives, the Pastor Protection Act, Uber

Audrey Moran issues Jax HRO “call to action”

Jax pastor R.L. Gundy on HRO switch: “we cannot discriminate”

Lisa Montelione feels confident in HD 63 Democratic primary versus Mike Reedy

Patrick Murphy’s defense of Syrian refugee vote pummeled on Facebook

“Religious freedom” bill to prevent gay adoptions refiled for 2016

Orange County repeals benefits for unmarried gay couples