Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMarch 20, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham announced Tuesday that if she’s elected Governor she would support local governments such as Weston and Coral Gables that seek to defy the state’s 2011 law forbidding local gun ordinances. Such a position could put Graham at odds with the Florida Legislature and also potentially with the Attorney General over […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott signed his final state budget Friday, two days after the Legislature sent it to him to review. The $88.7 billion fiscal plan – the largest in state history – landed on Scott’s desk Wednesday, but the governor did not approve it all. He vetoed $64 million worth of line items, the smallest being a […]

Guest AuthorMarch 14, 2018

In March 2014, I was 16 years old and scared because there was a chance I was experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. Due to a lack of sex education throughout my years in public school and fear of asking my mom about the birds and the bees, I was ignorant about sexual health and forms of […]

Ana CeballosMarch 13, 2018

In the midst of an emotional last week of Session, a tearful state Rep. Larry Lee Jr. told his colleagues in the Florida House in a 40-minute speech that he would not seek re-election. Six days later, he is reconsidering that decision. He is rethinking things because he says his phone has not stopped ringing. […]

Staff ReportsMarch 12, 2018

After the Legislature passed an $88.7 billion budget Sunday, Florida Realtors are heaping praise on lawmakers for including $31 million in cuts to the business rent tax and $110 million for affordable housing projects. “I’m so proud of our membership for responding to our call for action to cut the business rent tax,” said Bill Martin, […]

Ana CeballosMarch 11, 2018

The lobbying powerhouse Ballard Partners swayed lawmakers to add a new section to the state’s labor law that mirrors the exact business model of one of its online-based clients. Handy Technologies, Inc., which hired Ballard Partners, will directly benefit from a last-minute add on to the tax cut package championed by Senate Budget Chair Rob […]

Ana CeballosMarch 11, 2018

The Florida Legislature during a rare Sunday session passed an $88.7 billion state budget — the largest one in the state’s history. “This balanced budget includes unprecedented K-12 per student funding, targeted pay raises for state law enforcement, state firefighters, and Department of Juvenile Justice probation and detention officers, and $100 million for Florida Forever, while […]

Ana CeballosMarch 10, 2018

After state Sen. Gary Farmer came under fire for saying state Sen. Lauren Book’s family responsibilities may be too much to balance if she was chosen as the Senate Democratic Leader-designate, he apologized. “I recognize that I failed to properly express my thoughts about the difficulties that a Caucus leadership role can play for any […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

The last-ditch effort to revive a Senate human trafficking bill crashed Friday night after the House decided to strip language that would have created a trust fund for victims. When it was up to the Senate to consider the changes to the bill, Republicans argued it should be killed because the House “did not do […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Legislative leaders closed out the largest proposed budget in state history Thursday that included nearly $90 million in last-minute spending for projects that largely have to do with education. As the House and Senate finalized differences on the roughly $88 billion 2018-19 budget, the supplemental funding — informally known as the “sprinkle fund” — was unveiled in […]

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

Gwen Graham says she’d support local governments defying 2011 gun laws preemption

Rick Scott signs 2018-19 state budget, releases veto list

Annie Jae Filkowski: Fake women’s health centers deceive women

Six days after saying he was out, Larry Lee reconsiders re-election

Florida Realtors laud lawmakers for cutting business rent tax

Ballard Partners snags last-minute tax package tweak to help web-based client

Legislature passes $88.7B state budget to close out extended session

Gary Farmer apologizes for taking ’emotional’ jab at Lauren Book

Senate kills human trafficking bill a day after it was revived

House, Senate reach budget deal with $90m in last-minute spending