Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJuly 4, 2018

As the July 4 midweek holiday arrives, Sachs Media Group’s Breakthrough Research Division wanted to look on the brighter side of our independence-declaring holiday — and by that, we mean fireworks, of course! Specifically, we consulted the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to look at the volume of recorded injuries involving fireworks in the […]

Staff ReportsJuly 3, 2018

It’s almost Independence Day, which in Florida means: Time to scare some birds. Although you can buy fireworks in the state, they’re not actually legal here. Indeed, The Tampa Tribune in 2014 called fireworks sales in Florida an “institutionalized charade,” leading one lawmaker to call for “more freedom (and) less fraud.” Retail sales are allowed only […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 27, 2017

Fireworks are fun, but at what cost? According to the National Fire Protection Association, the explosive displays cause an annual average of three deaths and cost $43 million in damage. Since 2014 in Florida alone, firefighters have responded to more than 50 fireworks-related incidents, which caused more than $1.5 million in property damage. That’s likely […]

Mitch PerryOctober 11, 2017

The latest attempt to end a decades-old prohibition on fireworks sales in Florida received its first hearing in the state Senate Wednesday, and it was a bit bumpy. The bill cleared the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on a 8-2 vote, but bill sponsor Greg Steube admits it still needs some work. For more than half a […]

Guest AuthorJuly 4, 2017

As the long July 4 holiday weekend continues, Sachs Media Group’s Breakthrough Research Division wanted to look on the brighter side of our independence-declaring holiday — and by that, we mean fireworks, of course! Specifically, we consulted the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to look at the volume of recorded injuries involving fireworks since […]

Jim RosicaJuly 3, 2017

It’s almost Independence Day, which in Florida means: Time to scare some birds. Although you can buy fireworks in the state, they’re not actually legal here. Indeed, The Tampa Tribune in 2014 called fireworks sales in Florida an “institutionalized charade,” leading one lawmaker to call for “more freedom (and) less fraud.” Retail sales are allowed only […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

Sis-boom-bah: state Sen. Greg Steube has filed legislation to legalize consumer fireworks in Florida. Steube, the Sarasota Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, filed his bill (SB 324) Tuesday. The legislation appears to be identical to a bill (HB 4005) filed for the 2014 Legislative Session by then-state Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach […]

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2016

It’s almost Independence Day, which in Florida means: Time to scare some birds. Although you can buy fireworks in the state, they’re not actually legal here. Indeed, The Tampa Tribune in 2014 called fireworks sales in Florida an “institutionalized charade,” leading one lawmaker to call for “more freedom (and) less fraud.” Retail sales are allowed only […]

Guest AuthorJuly 4, 2015

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday formally called Independence Day but more commonly known as the Fourth of July, visions of fireworks, barbecue and red, white and blue come to mind. But, taking a step back, I think a more apropos name, albeit less patriotic sounding would be to call it Symbols Day. Most […]

Phil AmmannJuly 3, 2015

Fireworks and Florida’s beach wildlife just don’t mix. Independence Day is Saturday, and the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asks the public to protect beach-nesting shorebirds statewide by being careful with celebratory fireworks and to avoid using personal pyrotechnics at the beach. Shorebirds are nesting on beaches along Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts; many […]

Tag: fireworks
Matt Gaetz. Image via AP.

Hold my beer and watch this! July 4th fireworks light up ER

Florida’s bizarre fireworks law still in place

Jimmy Patronis offers 6 safety tips ahead of New Year’s Eve

Fireworks bill clears first Senate panel

Hold my beer and watch this! July Fourth fireworks light up ER

Florida’s bizarre fireworks law still in place

Greg Steube files fireworks legalization bill

Florida’s bizarre fireworks law still in place

Gary Stein: Symbols and cymbals light up Fourth of July

Florida FWC: Fireworks and nesting shorebirds don’t mix