Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 4, 2017

Recess scored a big win the Senate, but the proposal faces an uphill climb in the House. The Senate voted 36-0 to approve a bill (SB 78) that would require school districts provide students in kindergarten through fifth grade with 20 minutes of recess each day. The vote marks a big milestone in the Senate, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 3, 2017

A Senate panel is poised to approve legislation this week that could add five more medical marijuana treatment centers in Florida by October and lower the threshold for adding additional treatment centers in the future. The Senate Health Policy Committee is scheduled to discuss and vote on a bill (SB 406), sponsored by Sen. Rob […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 31, 2017

A new survey from the Florida Hospital Association shows strong support among Florida voters to keep — or in many increase — state funding for Medicaid programs. The survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from March 1 through March 5, found Floridians have the most favorable opinion of Medicaid that the association has recorded in six years. […]

Associated PressMarch 30, 2017

Children testifying in court in abuse, abandonment and neglect cases would be allowed the help of therapy animals under a bill passed by the Florida House. The bill passed unanimously Thursday and expands a law that already allows therapy animals for victims testifying in sexual offense cases. A legislative analysis of the bill says that […]

Michael MolineMarch 30, 2017

The House approved legislation Thursday that would require the decertification of any public employee union unless at least 50 percent of the eligible workers in a unit pay dues. HB 11 passed on a vote of 75-41, with many Democrats calling it union busting. “It amazes me that we constantly come up with bills that […]

Michael MolineMarch 30, 2017

The House gave final passage Thursday to a raft of government ethics reforms, including a proposed constitutional amendment to bar legislators and statewide elected officials from lobbying before any state government body or agency for six years. CS/HJR 7001, approved on 108-4 vote, would extend the existing two-year ban. “We’re not casting aspersions on any […]

Tag: Florida House

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

Senate OKs mandatory recess bill

Senate amendment quickens pace for medical marijuana treatment center growth

Poll: 45% of Florida voters would like to see increase in Medicaid funding

Florida House passes bill to allow therapy animals in courts

Union-decertification bill clears House on a 75-41 vote

Florida House OKs six-year ban on lobbying by former elected officials