Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 29, 2016

A push for mandatory play time at Florida’s elementary schools will once again be on the agenda during the 2017 legislative session. Sen. Anitere Flores filed legislation Tuesday that would require school to provide “at least 100 minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free play recess” each week. The mandatory recess would apply to students […]

Michael MolineNovember 28, 2016

The Capitol Press Corps got its first scolding, albeit a gentle one, from Richard Corcoran last week. The new House Speaker was repeatedly asked during a news conference about how Senate President Joe Negron‘s priorities during the coming legislative session might conflict with his own. “You people are so conditioned and trained. But so are we — I don’t […]

Michael MolineNovember 22, 2016

Richard Corcoran assumed the speakership of the Florida House during its organizational session Tuesday, promising a new era of good government enforced by unprecedentedly stringent ethics rules and controls on lobbyists. “Good government isn’t a process; it’s a struggle for its leaders to do the right thing,” Corcoran said. “We have to put aside the rhetorical devices […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 21, 2016

Former state Rep. Dave Murzin has joined Liberty Partners of Tallahassee as the firm’s Northwest Florida Director. “We are honored to have Dave join forces with the Liberty Partners team.” said firm owner and President Jennifer Green in a statement. “This strategic partnership gives us the opportunity to continue to work with a longtime friend and […]

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 […]

Tag: Florida House

Anitere Flores to push for mandatory recess during 2017 session

Richard Corcoran: In the House, “We are very, very conservative”

Richard Corcoran installed as House speaker promising ‘struggle’ to do right

Personnel note: Dave Murzin joins Liberty Partners of Tallahassee as NW Florida director

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