Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

State Rep. Matt Gaetz has introduced his own amendment to a judicial term-limits bill that will be before the House Tuesday, inspired by the debate over naming a successor to the late U.S. Supreme Court Antonin Scalia. That amendment reads in part: “… if a justice of the (state) supreme court dies within one year […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

State Rep. Jared Moskowitz on Monday began filing last-minute amendments to the House’s judicial term-limits bill. The measure (HB 197) likely will be dead on arrival when it gets to the Senate. Indeed, the Senate version of the (SB 322) has yet to be heard with three weeks left in the 2016 Legislative Session. Under the legislation, pushed […]

Scott PowersFebruary 18, 2016

In an unusual occurrence, four of the state’s best-known university-based political scientists have been brought together to express opposition to House Bill 7059, which aims to unify Florida’s election dates for national, state and local elections. The Florida League of Cities gathered opposition statements from Aubrey Jewett of the University of Central Florida, Susan MacManus from […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2016

Florida’s top elections official intends to appeal a federal judge’s decision to keep him in U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown‘s lawsuit concerning the recent congressional redistricting plan. Secretary of State Ken Detzner filed a notice of appeal on Thursday, court records show. Detzner wants the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overrule a decision to deny his motion […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

A measure that would impose term limits on Florida’s appellate judges has cleared its last House committee, despite critics’ warnings that it will cause a brain drain on the bench. The bill (HB 197) cleared the Judiciary Committee Thursday by a vote of 11-6, sending it to the full Florida House of Representatives. To take effect, it must […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 4, 2016

Want your state senator to support ride-booking legislation? Don’t worry, there’s a petition for that. On Thursday, Uber launched a statewide petition drive to urge Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and the Florida Senate to pass ride-booking legislation. The push comes about a week after the Florida House passed a bill (HB 509) that creates […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 3, 2016

Saying Florida cities and counties must “follow the rule of law,” the Florida House passed a sweeping immigration measure Wednesday that would penalize those who don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Florida is one of several states considering a crackdown on so-called “sanctuary cities.” The House voted 80-38 for the bill that could lead to […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 3, 2016

The Florida House passed bills Wednesday that would let people with concealed weapons permits openly carry their guns and bring them onto state college campuses, as well as allow lawmakers to carry concealed weapons on their chamber’s floor. House members debated the measures for three hours combined, with most Democrats strongly opposing both bills and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 3, 2016

If a campaign’s probability of winning can be measured by the fundraising advantage it holds over its opponent, state Rep. Larry Ahern is well on his way to another term in the Florida Legislature. At the close of 2015, the Pinellas Republican had raised nearly $75,000 compared to his opponent’s paltry $305. Ahern is seeking re-election in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 2, 2016

Mandated play time could be coming to Florida schools. The state House Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday voted 13-0 to approve a House Bill 833, which would require public schools to provide 100 minutes of recess each week to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The measure also applies to sixth-grade students enrolled in a […]

Tag: Florida House of Representatives
Elizabeth Martinez Strauss. Image via campaign.

Matt Gaetz and the “Scalia amendment”

Jared Moskowitz still trying to amend judicial term limits bill

Top Florida political scientists come out against unified elections

Ken Detzner files notice of appeal in Corrine Brown lawsuit

Judicial term limits OK’d by final House committee

Uber launches petition drive to urge Senate to pass ride-booking legislation

House passes sweeping immigration measure

House passes open carry, campus gun carry bills

Larry Ahern faces broke challenger in re-election bid

Mandatory recess bill moving through state House