Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2017

A debate on traditional public schools vs. charter schools took front and center Friday at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. For 68 minutes, a group of education leaders of various backgrounds discussed the issue at the Ferguson Law Center. Speaking out most prominently for charters was Doug Tuthill, the president of Step Up For Students, the nonprofit group […]

Staff ReportsOctober 19, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott ordered flags at half-staff to honor former state Rep. James F. “Jim” Tullis, who died Saturday. Tullis represented District 17, which included Jacksonville, in the Florida House of Representatives for one term between 1999 and 2000. He graduated with a degree in business and economics from Jacksonville University in 1965, and he was an […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2017

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Legislation filed in the Florida House would add violence against an individual based on “gender or gender identity” to the state’s list of hate crimes. Rep. Joseph Geller, an Aventura Democrat, filed the bill (HB 211) Tuesday. “Florida has recently seen an increase in hate-crimes, from 73 committed in 2014 to 102 in 2015,” according to […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2017

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A House member has filed proposed legislation to add violence based on “political affiliation or beliefs” to the state’s list of hate crimes. Rep. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, first filed his 1-page bill Thursday. The bill is being redrafted to correct some technical errors and will be re-filed shortly, he said. The measure as filed (HB […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 27, 2017

The Florida House of Representatives graphics team has done it again, putting together an uplifting 5-minute clip about the state’s recovery after Hurricane Irma. The video opens with ominous music and titles that read “They said we were divided … That we were hopelessly at odds … That in an hour of need … Americans […]

Scott PowersSeptember 15, 2017

State Rep. Bob Cortes has introduced a measure that would urge Congress to take steps to expand citizenship rights for people of Puerto Rico and improve the commonwealth’s opportunity for statehood, without actually dealing directly with the statehood issue. House Memorial 147 calls on Congress to address inequalities Puerto Rico and its residents face that […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 5, 2017

The Florida Lottery and the House of Representatives are seeking an extension in which to settle a pending lawsuit over a $700 million contract for new equipment, court records show. Lottery outside counsel Barry Richard and House general counsel Adam Tanenbaum asked the 1st District Court of Appeal that they “be permitted to provide another status […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 5, 2017

The approach of Hurricane Irma may affect the upcoming legislative committee week, currently set for Sept. 12-15. “We are closely monitoring the developments of Hurricane Irma as the storm approaches our state,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran wrote in a Tuesday memo to members. “As the path of the storm becomes more clearly defined, we will, […]

Terry RoenSeptember 1, 2017

A former state lawmaker was convicted Thursday of misusing campaign funds. Dwayne L. Taylor, 49, was found guilty in federal court on all nine counts of wire fraud for using campaign contributions to pay for personal items that ranged from a wedding at the Waldorf Astoria in New York to a meal at McDonald’s, the […]

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2017

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The Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, the state’s public records and open meetings watchdog, says it is supporting House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s “efforts on (tourism money) transparency and accountability.” In a letter to Corcoran sent Tuesday by foundation President Barbara Petersen, the group responded to Corcoran’s recent “comments in the Orlando Sentinel regarding the need for […]

Tag: Florida House of Representatives

Tampa Tiger Bay Club debates charter schools

Flags at half-staff for former Jax Rep. Jim Tullis

Bill would add ‘gender identity’ to hate crimes

Joe Gruters files ‘political’ hate crimes bill

Florida House goes Michael Bay with Irma recovery video

Bob Cortes measure seeks full citizenship, short of statehood, for Puerto Rico

Sides seek more time in $700M Lottery lawsuit

Hurricane could affect legislative committee week

Former lawmaker Dwayne Taylor guilty of misusing campaign contributions

First Amendment Foundation backing Richard Corcoran on transparency