Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 14, 2019

La Gaceta Editor and Publisher Patrick Manteiga is asking lawmakers for $1.2 million to pay for repairs and renovations to the historic Cuban Club in Tampa’s Ybor City. State Rep. Susan Valdes is sponsoring an appropriations request. The funding would come from the Department of Economic Opportunity. Manteiga says the funding would be used to reduce water intrusion […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 14, 2019

The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) released its 2018 analysis last week of Florida sentencing laws and the effects on prison population. The report, commissioned internally by the Florida Legislature in its 2018 General Appropriations Act, makes several recommendations for reducing the state’s criminal justice costs by reducing prison population. The […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 8, 2019

Congressman Charlie Crist joined several ex-felons to register to vote Tuesday morning at the downtown St. Petersburg Supervisor of Elections office opened. It was the first day qualifying former offenders could register. Florida voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 4 last November, which automatically restores nonviolent ex-felons’ right to vote as long as they have fully paid their […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJanuary 8, 2019

Floridians can expect a quick start to the Ron DeSantis administration, with the new governor ready to make key appointments to the state Supreme Court, announce a major environmental initiative and try to improve the medical-marijuana system. “Within the next week, I think you guys are going to have a lot to write about,” DeSantis […]

Scott PowersDecember 19, 2018

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio called for the Florida Cabinet to provide an action of posthumous justice for the Groveland Four during a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate Tuesday night, declaring, “It is time to do the right thing for the Groveland Four!” Rubio’s comments brought to the U.S. Capitol the case of […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 17, 2018

Rep. Jackie Toledo filed legislation Monday that would make “distracted driving” a primary offense. The bill (HB 107) would apply to texting while driving and to talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving. Current law bans using a cell phone while driving as a secondary offense, which means law enforcement officers can […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 3, 2018

Ray Blacklidge appears to have already started campaigning for House District 69 despite losing his first bid less than one month ago. Blacklidge lost to Democrat Jennifer Webb, who now represents the West St. Petersburg and mid-Pinellas County district, but his campaign Facebook page now reflects a 2020 logo. Blacklidge did not respond to a request […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 29, 2018

After two days of wall-to-wall speakers from high-tech companies, finance experts and land use planners, the 2018 Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit wrapped up in Tampa this week with an array of geek-out-worthy autonomous vehicle demonstrations. The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority hosted the summit both this year and last, but Florida state Sen. Jeff Brandes considers the annual event his baby. The […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 29, 2018

State Rep. Chris Latvala says he will file “Jordan’s Law,” a measure that would put protections in place for children to prevent them from becoming victims of abuse or neglect. The proposed law is named for Jordan Belliveau, the 2-year-old Largo boy whose body was found in the woods behind the Largo Sports Complex after his mother, Charisse Stinson, […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 26, 2018

The new leader of the Florida Senate wants to afford more freedom to state universities wishing to rename buildings previously designated by the state Legislature. Senate President Bill Galvano, after assuming the chamber’s top spot last week, told reporters that he supports “a framework for universities to do their naming and having flexibility, instead of having […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
Image via Gittings Global, Shumaker

Local publisher requests $1.2 million from Legislature for Cuban Club

Legislative report identifies prison population reduction strategies

Charlie Crist cheers ex-felons who will now be able to vote

Ron DeSantis to move quickly on court, environment

Marco Rubio calls for justice for Groveland Four

Jackie Toledo bill would make texting while driving a ’primary offense‘

Defeated in November, Ray Blacklidge eyes 2020 rematch vs. Jennifer Webb

Jeff Brandes: 5 takeaways from autonomous vehicle summit

Chris Latvala plans to file child protection bill

Bill Galvano outlines path to rename FSU law school