Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsMarch 7, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-03-03-at-11.26.47-AM.png

Florida lawmakers will extend their annual session for several days to pass a new $87 billion-plus state budget, which will include a $101.50 increase in per-student funding in public schools. House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced early Wednesday afternoon that legislative leaders had reached agreement on the budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 6, 2018

The Florida House Tuesday passed a priority bill for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam without a toxic gun provision and without considering a contentious bill tied to puppy mills. The language in the House plan was causing heartburn, but state Rep. Jake Raburn, who is sponsoring the House bill, decided to consider the Senate plan, which […]

Ana CeballosMarch 5, 2018

The Florida Senate gave initial approval Monday to a compromise with the House on the controversial child marriage bill, which would allow 17-year-old to wed in the state. The Republican-controlled House initially wanted to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry in cases where there is a pregnancy and the older partner is no more than […]

Ana CeballosMarch 5, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-02-23-at-2.44.49-PM.png

In a bipartisan effort, the Florida House narrowly passed a watered-down school safety proposal with a $400 million price tag that will provide students with more access to mental health services and allow school districts to participate in a program that arms school staff. “This bill will make a difference, and when it becomes law, […]

Ana CeballosMarch 5, 2018

Despite concerns raised by Senate Democrats that it would “tie the hands” of future legislators facing emergencies, the Florida Senate passed a measure Monday that would make it harder for the Legislature to increase taxes and fees in the future. “This can tie the hands of future legislators in difficult times,” said Sen. Jose Javier […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 3, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-02-23-at-2.44.26-PM.png

The Florida Senate took the better part of eight hours during a rare Saturday session to work through 128 amendments — only one of which passed the floor — on a single bill. And even with the amendment’s approval, partisan spirits haven’t changed on the proposal designed to address issues unearthed in the wake of […]

Ana CeballosMarch 3, 2018

Budget conference chairs are now ironing out funding differences between the House and Senate dealing with a wide-range of policy issues. Chairs Sen. Rob Bradley and Rep. Carlos Trujillo are figuring out funding for beach restoration, land acquisition and water projects. Currently, the state Legislature is split over nearly $172 million on appropriations for programs funded through Florida […]

Ana CeballosMarch 3, 2018

fl-florida-school-shooting-who-is-broward-sheriff-scott-israel-20180223.jpg

After leading the charge to oust Broward Sheriff Scott Israel in the wake of Florida’s worst school shooting, Republican state Rep. Bill Hager tried to gut funding from a program run by the Sheriff’s Office. Hager oversees the House’s criminal justice budget, which gives him large sway over funding for law enforcement-related projects and issues. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 2, 2018

Screen-Shot-2016-06-22-at-2.38.15-PM.png

A quiet change proposed Thursday under a wide-ranging commercial motor vehicle bill would strip the power of a transportation panel and give the governor sole discretion over the appointment of the state’s top transportation official. State law tasks the Florida Transportation Commission to recommend three names to the governor when it comes to choosing the […]

Ana CeballosMarch 1, 2018

Private-prison giant GEO Group wants $4 million in taxpayer money to pay for correctional officers’ salaries at seven of its state-contracted facilities — but the House won’t budge. The House’s top criminal justice budget-writer, state Rep. Bill Hager, said his chamber has taken the stance to zero out the private prison’s request because the Florida-based […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
Image via AP.

Legislative leaders reach budget deal, Session extension looms

House passes Adam Putnam’s priority without contentious gun provision

Senate, House reach compromise on controversial child marriage bill

Florida Senate narrowly passes watered-down school safety proposal

Tax supermajority proposal heads to voters for approval

Post-Parkland Senate bill primed for floor vote

Final budget items start getting ‘bumped’

Bill Hager’s battle with Broward Sheriff spills over into Florida budget talks

Governor would have sole discretion over FDOT head appointment under proposal

Senate, House at odds over $4m to pay for private prison operations