Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

The city of Jacksonville spends over $200,000 a year for association memberships, such as the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, National Association of Counties and U.S. Conference of Mayors. But some council members contend that the money isn’t being optimally spent, because restricted travel budgets don’t allow Jacksonville to represent its own […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 26, 2016

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Lisa Hurley, legislative director for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), has turned in a resignation letter and is heading to Tallahassee’s Smith, Bryan & Myers influence shop. Her last day will be Oct. 21. FAC Executive Director Scott Shalley shared the news with his board of directors in a Monday morning memo. “In my 30 […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2016

In the last Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting before the full council passes the budget Sept. 27, a packed agenda was considered. Among the more compelling bills: a controversial measure to appropriate $5,000 to each of the fourteen district council members for “special events” in public parks; a bill tightening up regulations on burglar […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 9, 2016

A bill intended to end the fight over juvenile detention costs is headed to the governor. The Florida House voted 117-0 to approve the measure (SB 1322). The approval came just days after the Senate voted 38-0 to approve the bill. The proposal requires counties that aren’t considered fiscally constrained, usually more affluent, urban areas, […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

A bill intended to end a fight between the state and several counties over juvenile detention costs passed the Florida Senate on Monday. The measure (SB 1322), sponsored by state Sen. Jack Latvala, was approved on a 38-0 vote. It requires “non-fiscally constrained counties,” generally more affluent, urban areas, to pay a total of $42.5 million for all detention […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

A series of rewrites to Florida’s economic-incentive programs, a chief priority of Gov. Rick Scott, passed its first House panel Tuesday afternoon. Lobby Tools reports that HB 1325, from Bradenton Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, seeks to establish a new Florida Enterprise Fund, as well as changes in the process of administering economic incentives for businesses […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 11, 2016

The abrupt end to the 2015 Florida legislative session left an important piece of legislation in limbo: the regulation of the onshore oil and gas industry. Fortunately, Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, are again championing this good legislation during this year’s session, and we are nearing the finish line. HB 191 […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 4, 2016

First and foremost, I have serious concerns about fracking, especially in Florida. However, there are many misconceptions about HB 191 and what it actually does. It does not authorize fracking as the practice is currently allowed in Florida. Under current law it’s unregulated. This bill places serious restrictions on fracking in the state, including a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 27, 2016

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The Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties have withdrawn their opposition to a bill prohibiting local governments from banning hydraulic fracturing. Rebecca O’Hara, a lobbyist with the Florida League of Cities, said the decision to drop its opposition came after working with sponsors of the bill (HB 191/SB 318) to reach […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 21, 2016

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A bill that aims to regulate hydraulic fracturing and other forms of high-pressure well stimulation is headed to the House floor, where bill sponsors said it will likely be amended to address local government concerns. The House state affairs committee on Wednesday voted to approve a measure (HB 191) that, supporters say, creates a regulatory […]

Tag: Florida Association of Counties

Jacksonville council members hammer out travel budget details

Personnel note: Lisa Hurley moves to Smith, Bryan & Myers

Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee addresses packed agenda

House votes 117-0 to approve juvenile detention cost sharing bill

Juvenile detention cost-sharing measure passes Senate

House committee OK’s rewrite of state economic incentive program

Brewster Bevis: The Legislature should pass legislation regulating oil and gas industry

Danny Burgess: The truth about HB 191

Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities drop opposition to fracking bill

Hydraulic fracturing bill headed to House floor