Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Rosanne DunkelbergerApril 17, 2017

In the venue where newly qualified, but unlikely, candidate Rick Scott introduced himself to Tallahassee in 2010 and another potential gubernatorial candidate, John Morgan, came to visit in February, Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala paid a visit Monday to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. While rumors swirl about Latvala’s possible 2018 run for Florida’s top […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 13, 2017

Florida lawmakers appear to be taking steps to repeal a state law requiring personal injury protection coverage, but differences remain between the House and Senate proposals. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 8-1 to approve a bill (SB 1766) that would repeal the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, replacing the PIP mandate with a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2017

The Florida House rebuffed an attempt to include proviso language in the budget for a report on the “imposition and execution of capital punishment” in Florida. The amendment, put forward by Rep. Sharon Pritchett, called for the state to use money to fund a report from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability […]

Scott PowersApril 12, 2017

Surrounded by what’s billed as the world’s new center for tennis but yet also almost in the shadow of a failed medical research center, Gov. Rick Scott brought his plea for salvation for Enterprise Florida and VISIT Florida to Orlando’s Lake Nona community Wednesday – urging pressure on the mostly-Republican group of lawmakers set to […]

Scott PowersApril 11, 2017

Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala‘s office would take a much smaller budget hit this year under a compromise worked out by state Sen. Randolph Bracy and Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala Tuesday. Both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives have been pursuing budget proposals that would have cut at least $1.3 million […]

Gary FineoutApril 7, 2017

Florida may end a long-running battle and pay millions to homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down in a failed attempt to eradicate citrus canker. The Florida House has $66 million in its proposed budget to pay lawsuits filed on behalf of homeowners in Broward, Lee and Palm Beach counties. There are also lawsuits […]

Associated PressApril 6, 2017

Florida’s voter-approved class size limits could be eased under a bill now moving in the state Legislature. The Florida House on Wednesday voted 95-22 for a bill (HB 591) that would change the way class sizes are calculated. If the bill became law, then schools would measure class sizes by a schoolwide average instead of […]

Jim RosicaApril 5, 2017

A critic of the state’s “stand your ground” law Wednesday said a change to the law now moving through the Legislature will “make it easier for people to murder other human beings.” Lawmakers now are considering shifting the burden to prosecutors, making them disprove a claim of self-defense. Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2017

The House amended the Senate’s gambling measure with its own bill Tuesday, setting up the legislation for conference. The difference between the two chambers’ approach was set up by Rep. Mike La Rosa, the St. Cloud Republican who chairs the Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee. He said the House effort “erects a firewall against the expansion of […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2017

The House on Tuesday began consideration of a Senate bill changing the state’s “stand your ground” law to make it easier to claim self-defense. But the House soon amended the measure (SB 128) to change the burden of proof to overcome self-defense to “clear and convincing evidence,” a lower threshold than the Senate’s “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The […]

Tag: Florida House
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

House ‘assault’ derails Senate, budget chief Jack Latvala tells Tiger Bay

House, Senate bills to repeal PIP clear committees despite questions, differences

House votes down budget amendment calling for report on cost-effectiveness of Florida’s death penalty

Rick Scott brings Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida pitch to Lake Nona

Randolph Bracy, Jack Latvala reach compromise on Senate cut to Aramis Ayala’s office

Florida may pay millions to homeowners for lost citrus trees

Voters said yes, but Florida may change class size limits

Democrats decry change to ‘stand your ground’ law

House sees Senate on gambling bill, raises them

House amends Senate’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ bill