Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

AFP-FL, the Florida branch of the pro-industry group Americans for Prosperity, has taken to Florida television to make its case against a Senate plan to draw down federal Medicaid funding to expand coverage through the state under the program. “At some point, the Senate is going to have to recognize that Floridians do not want more […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

A Senate water bill passed its final committee stop on Tuesday despite continuing concerns raised by counties and environmentalists. SB 918 replaces a Lake Okeechobee pollution permitting program with more reliance on water cleanup plans, sets deadlines for establishing minimum flow levels for springs, sets timelines for springs cleanup plans and creates a statewide advisory […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

Florida’s schools are supposed to prepare our students for success in life. Whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce, we expect that students are ready for the real world based on what they learn in the classroom. But there is one area where we are perpetually failing the next generation: financial literacy and managing […]

Bob SparksApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Bruce RitchieApril 14, 2015

A controversial House growth management bill passed its final committee stop on the way to the House floor on Tuesday. HB 933, which originally combined seven separate House growth management bills, includes provisions eliminating the “development of regional impact” review process for larger developments and requiring a property rights element in local government comprehensive land […]

Drew WilsonApril 14, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott signed HB 7069 Tuesday, reducing the number of tests Florida public school students take as well as making changes to teacher evaluations and school year start dates. “This legislation reduces the number of tests our students take, including the 11th grade English Language Arts test that we eliminated this year through an […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

A pilot program is a small step — but it is a step forward nonetheless, critics of disposable plastic shopping bags said Wednesday. A Senate committee on Wednesday approved a bill that allows coastal communities to create a 2-1/2-year pilot program to regulate or ban plastic bags. Critics say plastic bags become litter that choke […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

Critics of a wide-ranging House growth management bill say that a section would undermine local development planning by requiring approval of agricultural lands that are nearly surrounded by development. HB 933, by Rep. Mike La Rosa, a Republican from St. Cloud, is scheduled to be heard Tuesday by the House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations […]

Peter SchorschMarch 31, 2015

Continuing this occasional series, we update you on who’s in the Departure Lounge. In the DL today are David Christian and Brad Swanson, formerly two of the top players at the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Christian, previously the Vice President of Government Affairs, has accepted a position with Florida Hospital. After serving seven years with […]

Tag: Florida Chamber of Commerce

Americans for Prosperity airs ads opposing Medicaid expansion

Senate bill clears final committee stop despite concerns from counties, environmentalists

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Sen. Jeremy Ring: Money matters for Florida’s high school students

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Growth bill headed to House floor with opposition from cities, counties

Rick Scott signs bill to cut school testing

Bill doesn’t lift prohibition on plastic bag bans but allows pilot programs

Growth bill critics target “constrained” agricultural parcels language

In the Departure Lounge: The Florida Chamber’s David Christian and Brad Swanson