Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 6, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King told a room full of gun-control activists Wednesday that he’s carrying a big agenda for them if he’s elected governor but that he’s got some doubts about how much of it could be enacted, short of a Constitutional Amendment. King, the Winter Park entrepreneur, has embraced the full Democratic platform […]

Joe HendersonJune 5, 2018

So-called “conversion therapy” is only a thing because a segment of wingnut nation considers it a sacred duty to force its values on everyone. The practice goes on because too many lawmakers look the other way. But it’s not therapy at all, at least as reasonably educated people understand the practice. It is, instead, medieval quackery […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2018

Despite lawmakers’ concerns, the Department of Health has final say over how medical marijuana plays out in Florida, the state’s top regulator suggested. The agency regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The office’s director, Christian Bax, spoke with reporters Thursday after a rulemaking hearing in Tallahassee. A legislative panel took Bax’s office to task […]

Staff ReportsMay 23, 2018

The Florida Lottery projects an increase in sales from new vending machines and other equipment provided through a new multi-million dollar agency contract. Lottery representatives on Wednesday presented to the state’s Revenue Estimating Impact Conference, a roundtable of state economists. Lawmakers use their projections to craft the state budget each Legislative Session. Details on the […]

Staff ReportsMay 15, 2018

Florida-TaxWatch-Amendment-2-presser-05-15-2018-e1526400570127.jpg

Asked for a 30-second ‘elevator speech‘ on why voters should choose ‘yes’ for Amendment 2 in November, Florida TaxWatch president Dominic M. Calabro didn’t blink. “If you don’t vote ‘yes,’ either you or your neighbors will see massive tax increases and great deal of property tax dissatisfaction … anger even, if we see property taxes jump […]

Danny McAuliffeMay 15, 2018

Two South Florida state lawmakers plan to ask the Legislature to increase the public education budget, which they say was insufficiently funded during the 2018 Legislative Session and anticipate a budget shortfall exacerbated by mandates passed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The Legislature officially adjourned in March, but on Monday […]

Jim RosicaMay 14, 2018

From karaoke to ballroom dancing to ice sculpting, the hobbies of Florida’s legislators are legion. A Florida Politics reporter recently noticed and tweeted that Rep. Carlos G. Smith, an Orlando Democrat, listed but one “recreational interest,” karaoke, on his legislative info page. That sparked a number of responses on social media last week. TCPalm reporter […]

Joe HendersonMay 14, 2018

Whoever succeeds Bob Buckhorn next year as Tampa’s mayor will have a tough time matching his ability to deliver a speech. His pace and timing are excellent, his voice rising and rising when he wants to engage the listener fully and hammer home a point. Then again, Buckhorn’s message Friday in his “State of the […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 5, 2018

The grades are in, and from the perspective of those pushing for a more fertile business climate in the Sunshine State, the Legislature is getting better — but there’s still work to be done. Each year the Florida Chamber grades state legislators after tabulating votes on measures backed by the pro-business group. The 2018 Legislative […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 2, 2018

Those backing a move to include LGBT protections under the 1992 Florida Civil Rights Act have a message for legislative leadership: We’ll be back. Just nine days into the 2018 Legislative Session, 40 percent of the Legislature had publicly supported bills that would have codified in statutes nondiscrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Chris King tempers expectations on his big gun agenda

Joe Henderson: Gwen Graham makes stand against conversion therapy quackery

Medical marijuana regulator: We’ll change our rules—or not

New equipment should boost Lottery revenues, agency says

TaxWatch stumps for property-tax cap on November ballot

Democratic lawmakers call for special session on K-12 funding

Lawmakers’ hobbies amuse and confuse on social media

Joe Henderson: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn gives Tallahassee an earful

Honor roll: State legislators receive high marks from Florida Chamber

The fight for LGBT civil rights will return next legislative session