Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House on Wednesday began considering a bill that would expand medical marijuana in Florida. The House began discussing the measure (HB 307), and Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Fort Walton Beach Republican sponsoring the bill, fielded questions from lawmakers on the proposal. The bill is expected to receive a vote on Thursday. The bill […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House voted 82-37 to approve a bill that allows members of the clergy to refuse to perform gay marriages. The passage came after more than an hour of passionate debate. Opponents questioned why the bill (HB 43) was needed, with some calling it an insult to the state’s gay community. “This bill is […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

Keep sales tax holidays. That’s the message the Florida Retail Federation is sending to state lawmakers as the Florida Senate decides whether to hear the House’s sweeping tax-cut proposal. The Senate Appropriations committee on Tuesday was scheduled to hear the proposal (HB 7099), where senators were proposing a strike-all amendment that, among other things, would […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2016

Public employees will get steered away from Florida’s pension plan under a bill approved by the Florida House. The House voted 72-38 for a measure that would automatically place newly hired public employees in an investment 401(k) plan if the employees failed to make a choice within eight months of starting their jobs. The legislation […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 24, 2016

The rules of seersucker are simple. Wear a pastel tie and make sure it matches your socks. Pairing black shoes with your snazzy suit is a no-no. And definitely don’t wear it outside of seersucker season, which for some means it runs from Easter to Labor Day. The Florida Legislature is bending that last rule […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2016

While watching the Florida Legislature debate regulation of services like Uber and Lyft statewide, I couldn’t help but think of a pair of quotes discovered as I was looking up something else. The first quote, from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, came as the House displayed leadership and vision in approving its version of a bill […]

Associated PressFebruary 18, 2016

Florida lawmakers have come up with a way to fix the state’s death penalty and allow the state to resume executions. The Florida House on Thursday voted 93-20 and overwhelmingly passed a death penalty bill that would require at least 10 of 12 jurors to recommend execution for it to be imposed. The Senate is […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 18, 2016

The Florida House wants to give kids a little down time. The House voted 112-2 on Thursday to approve a bill (HB 833) that requires public schools to provide 100 minutes of recess each week in kindergarten through fifth grade. It also applies to sixth-grade students enrolled in schools with one or more elementary grades. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 11, 2016

The state House approved its nearly $80 billion spending plan, despite oppositions from Democrats over a decision to defund Planned Parenthood. The House voted 85-29, largely along party lines, to approve the chamber’s $79.9 billion budget. Among other things, the spending plan sets aside $3.2 billion in reserves, increases per student funding to $7,231 and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 11, 2016

The Florida House passed a wide-sweeping tax cut package Thursday, setting the scene for negotiations with the Senate over the tax reductions. The House voted 96 to 17 to support the nearly $1 billion proposal, getting the support of several House Democrats. “Here’s in Florida we’re running counter-culture to many of the decisions that are […]

Tag: Florida House

Florida House begins discussion on medical marijuana bill

Florida House votes 82-37 to approve “Pastor Protection” Act

Florida Retail Federation calls on Senate to support sales tax holidays

House approves pension changes for state workers

Screw the calendar and wear your seersucker

The case for why there should be a legislative deal for Uber & Lyft

Florida comes up with a possible fix to death penalty

Florida House passes bill mandating recess at public schools

House votes 85-29 to approve its $79.9 billion spending plan

House approves $1 billion tax cut package