Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 27, 2017

A limit on how many trauma centers can open in Florida would be erased under legislation that cleared its first committee Monday. The bill (HB 1077), sponsored by state Rep. Jay Trumbull, was OK’d on a 10-5 vote. Among other things, it also does away with the system of trauma service areas and regions, relieves […]

Staff ReportsMarch 24, 2017

State Rep. Cary Pigman faces a misdemeanor drunk-driving charge in St. Lucie County after a traffic stop late Thursday, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. The FHP charged the Avon Park Republican as he was driving on Florida’s Turnpike. Pigman, first elected in 2012, is an emergency medicine physician and U.S. Army Reserve doctor who […]

Scott PowersMarch 23, 2017

Republican State Rep. Bob Cortes has decided he likes what he’s doing in the Florida House too much to want to run against Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy in the next congressional election. Cortes, of Altamonte Springs, had been seen as a leading potential GOP candidate in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, which the GOP has […]

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

A bill that would ban injecting racing greyhounds in Florida with anabolic steroids is heading to the House floor. The House’s Commerce Committee approved the bill (HB 743) on Tuesday. Florida is home to 12 of 19 tracks in the United States and one of the few places where the use of steroids is permitted. […]

Scott PowersMarch 22, 2017

A bill that would require elected city officials to file detailed financial disclosures got thumbs up Wednesday morning from the Florida House Government Accountability Committee. House Bill 7021, introduced by Republican state Rep. Larry Metz of Groveland, would require mayors, city council members and other municipal elected officials in perhaps half of Florida’s cities to […]

Jim RosicaMarch 22, 2017

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In another squeaker, the House version of a bill to allow retailers to sell liquor in their main stores cleared its last committee by just two votes. The House Commerce Committee on Wednesday OK’d the legislation (HB 81) on a 15-13 vote. It’s now ready to be considered by the full House. It previously cleared the Government Operations and Technology […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

In addition to the Sunshine State, Pennsylvania lawmakers have now filed legislation to break down the wall of separation between liquor and other goods. On Saturday, the Philadelphia-based Billy Penn news site reported that bills in that state’s “House and Senate would create a new category of license that would allow grocery and convenience stores […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

With VISIT FLORIDA chief Ken Lawson acting as hype man, Gov. Rick Scott held a Tuesday rally inside the Florida Capitol to “save” the embattled tourism organization. Scott, not normally a high-energy performer, worked up the crowd of hundreds in the building’s rotunda with the help of CFO Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. In the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

The House “whiskey & Wheaties” bill has limped out of another committee with a one-vote margin. And that was after its sponsor fixed a problem that could have cost the Department of Business and Professional Regulation more than $250,000 in lost liquor license revenue. The legislation (HB 81) cleared the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday by a […]

Les NeuhausMarch 10, 2017

When the Florida House of Representatives voted Friday to do away with the much-embattled Florida Enterprise – the program Gov. Rick Scott loyally supported and, oppositely, Speaker Richard Corcoran virulently chided – special interest groups who had worked tirelessly for its eradication jumped for joy. None celebrated more than the Florida branch of Americans for […]

Tag: Florida House of Representatives
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House trauma center bill clears first hurdle

Cary Pigman charged with early morning DUI

Bob Cortes: I’m not running for Congress (yet)

Bill banning steroids for greyhounds headed to House

Bill would require city officials to file state financial disclosures

By two votes, House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill cleared for floor

Pennsylvania joins Florida in considering ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

Rick Scott rallies allies for VISIT FLORIDA

House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill clears another panel — barely

Special-interest groups rejoice Enterprise Florida House vote; call for Senate death knell