Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 8, 2016

A state House panel approved an expansion of the state’s Right to Try Act, but stripped a provision from the bill (HB 307) that would have increased the number of medical marijuana dispensing organizations. The state House health care appropriations subcommittee voted 9-2 to approve the measure, sponsored by Reps. Matt Gaetz and Katie Edwards. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 8, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott is making a pitch for hospital transparency legislation in a new digital advertisement. The 15-second ad is paid for by Let’s Get to Work, the political committee supporting Scott. In the spot, Scott says he’s asking every Florida hospital to be upfront about costs. “Let’s reform our hospitals and make costs transparent,” […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2016

Both the Florida House and Senate are off to a great start in the 2016 Session, having passed significant legislation expanding job and education opportunities for people with disabilities and approving a historic water bill. Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott, both of those bills are now law. The comprehensive water bill has been the subject […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 28, 2016

Florida’s House Education Appropriations Subcommittee released a preliminary budget plan Thursday, two days after the Senate released its version. LobbyTools reports the House is endorsing a higher education budget of $7.26 billion; the Senate spending plan for higher education is slightly less, coming in at $7.25 billion. The House offers $1.205 billion for Florida colleges; the Senate is […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 27, 2016

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The Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties have withdrawn their opposition to a bill prohibiting local governments from banning hydraulic fracturing. Rebecca O’Hara, a lobbyist with the Florida League of Cities, said the decision to drop its opposition came after working with sponsors of the bill (HB 191/SB 318) to reach […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 26, 2016

With Jacksonville Democrat Reggie Fullwood filing for reelection in his District 13, each of the 120 Florida House seats now has a candidate in the 2016 cycle. Fullwood’s late filing had become something of a trend. Last cycle, the third-term representative missed the last call for candidates due to a paperwork error and, after unsuccessfully […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 26, 2016

State lawmakers are taking steps to update Florida’s 2-year-old THC cannabis law during the 2016 Legislative Session. The state passed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act in 2014. It allows patients to take a low-THC cannabis with the permission of their doctor. Supporters of the 2014 effort said it could help children with epilepsy and patients […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 21, 2016

Florida legislative candidates, as well as political committees, had until Jan. 11 to report their campaign finance activity for the month of December. Now that the figures are in, here are 15 things I think I think about these latest reports. Thank you to LobbyTools for assembling much of the data relied on in this report. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 13, 2016

Floridians overwhelmingly support increased water quality and quantity standards, according to a new poll released Wednesday. The survey, commissioned by Associated Industries of Florida’s H2O Coalition, found 82 percent of respondents said they support a plan that creates new standards for Florida’s water policy and efforts to improve water quality. State lawmakers are expected to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 12, 2016

A bill to allow Floridians to sue for damages sustained in a terrorist attack cleared its first Senate hurdle Monday, receiving unanimous support from the Senate judiciary committee. The bill (SB 996), sponsored by Sen. Joe Negron, creates a civil cause for a person injured by an act of terrorism. Under the Stuart Republican’s bill, […]

Tag: Florida House

House panel OKs proposal adding medical marijuana to Right to Try Act

Rick Scott touts hospital transparency law in Let’s Get to Work ad

Charlie Dean and Matt Caldwell: Criticism of new water law off-base

House, Senate release education budget proposals for 2016-2017

Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities drop opposition to fracking bill

After Reggie Fullwood filed for HD 13, all House seats now have candidates

Proposal to “clean up” Florida’s medical marijuana law clears House panel

15 things I think I think about the latest Florida House campaign finance reports (Part 1)

Poll: Floridians overwhelmingly support improving water quality standards

Bill to let victims of terrorism sue for damages clears Senate panel