Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 10, 2016

As the state House began vetting its proposed $79.9 billion budget, some lawmakers questioned the decision to cut more than 700 positions from the Department of Health. Rep. Matt Hudson, chairman of the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, said the budget eliminates 718 positions from the Department of Health’s budget. Many of those positions are […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 10, 2016

Florida’s supervisors of elections might be getting a pay raise. The Senate Fiscal Policy committee on Wednesday OK’d a proposal changing the calculation used to determine how much a county’s election boss is paid. The measure (SB 514), sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, increases the base salary and the group rate used to determine a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 9, 2016

A bill that would restrict abortion providers is heading to the House floor. The measure (HB 1411) cleared the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Colleen Burton, a Lakeland Republican, requires doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at a local hospital. The bill also prohibits state agencies, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 8, 2016

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A bill that would ban discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has one more chance of passage. The Senate judiciary committee on Monday temporarily postponed the measure (SB 120). The measure, which prohibits gender- and sexuality-based workforce discrimination, will be taken up again Tuesday. Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida, said in […]

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 […]

Tag: Florida House
Marlon Scott takes a selfie on one of his roller coaster rides. He's ridden more than 1,000 different coasters. (Marlon Scott)

House budget: Decision to cut positions at Dep’t of Health questioned

Bill giving raise to county elections officials heads to Senate floor

Bill restricting abortion providers now headed to House floor

Capitol Reax: Changes to municipal elections, LGBT discrimination bans

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