Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 21, 2016

The chamber of the Florida Senate is reopening after a $6 million upgrade. Outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner showed off the renovated chamber on Monday. Workers spent the last eight months tearing out carpet, replacing desks and installing a new stained glass dome and new wood columns. The state motto of “In God We Trust” […]

Associated PressNovember 21, 2016

Despite a never-ending flow of presidential ads during the election, nearly $20 million was also spent in Florida on ads targeting legislative races. Final data shows that $19.4 million was spent over the last two years to air more than 33,000 commercials in races for the Florida Senate and Florida House. The vast majority of […]

Michael MolineNovember 15, 2016

Darryl Rouson went and said it. He referred to the Florida Senate as the Legislature’s “upper house.” He did it Tuesday while introducing himself to new colleagues during an orientation session for freshman senators. Members of the Florida House of Representatives, where Rouson served before winning the Senate seat for District 19, have been known to […]

Jim RosicaNovember 10, 2016

The new rules of the Florida House of Representatives, among other things, will increase the ban on former members lobbying their colleagues from two years to six years, and prohibit state representatives from flying in aircraft owned, leased, or otherwise paid for by lobbyists. That’s according to a final copy of the rules, released Thursday […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 8, 2016

Amber Mariano is heading to Tallahassee. Mariano, the 21-year-old daughter of Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano, defeated Rep. Amanda Murphy in House District 36. The Hudson Republican received 51 percent of the vote, or 34,337 votes, according to unofficial election results. Murphy, a New Port Richey Democrat, received 49 percent of the vote, or 33,589 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 7, 2016

Change is coming, but the state’s lobbying association wants to offer some input before new House rules are finalized. David Mica, the chairman of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists, sent a letter Monday to House Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran asking weigh in on the House rules before they are released. “There have been several […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 19, 2016

The Florida Chamber has a message for its members: Go vote. The statewide business advocacy organization’s employer-to-employee news and information program launched its “Let’s Get Local” campaign this week. The get-out-the-vote program is meant to encourage employees to vote in the general election. “There’s more to this election than just the top of the ticket,” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 30, 2016

House Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran is making changes to the committee structure in his chamber. The Land O’Lakes Republican released a proposed committee structure Friday. As proposed, there would be nine full committees, seven budget subcommittees, 17 policy subcommittees, and five joint committees. Among the changes, Corcoran is proposing a Public Integrity and Ethics Committee, […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 19, 2016

The calendars are set. House and Senate leadership announced Monday the schedule for interim committee meetings. Both chambers will head to Tallahassee for committee meetings in December, before meeting for two weeks in January and three weeks in February. According to memos to members, the Florida House will hold committee meetings from Dec. 5 through […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 15, 2016

A Gainesville man has withdrawn his complaint against Rep. Keith Perry. Norman Leppla withdrew his complaint against Perry on Thursday, according to the Gainesville Police Department. The notice of withdrawal comes one day after the police department released surveillance video showing Perry striking Leppla after a disagreement over a yard sign. But Leppla’s decision to withdraw his […]

Tag: Florida House

Florida Senate reopens chamber after $6 million upgrade

Nearly $20 million spent on ads in Florida legislative races

Darryl Rouson arrives in the Legislature’s ‘upper house’

Richard Corcoran rolls out new rules, says House will ‘set the standard for others’

Republican Amber Mariano defeats Amanda Murphy in HD 36

Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists asks for seat at the table to talk about changes to House rules

Florida Chamber: ‘Every vote counts and makes a difference’

Florida House announces proposed committee structure

Florida House, Senate set interim 2017 committee meeting schedule

Gainesville PD: Complaint withdrawn in Keith Perry case