Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutApril 2, 2017

With about a month left in the regular session, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature is on a major collision course over spending. This past week the House and Senate released rival budgets for the coming year that reveal a wide divide between the two chambers on everything from taxes to schools to state worker pay raises. The […]

Peter SchorschApril 2, 2017

A pro tip for anyone seeking to curry favor with the Florida Legislature: get your facts straight — or at least know which state you’re trying to lobby. A couple of months ago, state Sen. Jack Latvala and Rep. Jason Brodeur announced supporting the “Protect Florida Small Business Act” (SB 750), which seeks to “promote […]

Guest AuthorMarch 30, 2017

Right now, jobs and the future of Florida’s economy are in jeopardy. That’s because some politicians in Tallahassee want to eliminate Florida’s economic development programs and slash the state’s tourism marketing efforts. Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA, Florida’s economic development and tourism marketing programs, are essential to the economic well-being of our state. Eliminating Florida’s […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2017

Legislation introduced this Session – HB 95 and SB 182 – seeks to change the current drug formulary system utilized by health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Both bills have received significant support from “patient advocacy groups” during the course of the debate. But who are these so-called patient groups, and how are they funded? […]

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2017

It seems like every year the Florida Legislature revisits the idea of decoupling, which is not a term to describe modern romance, but rather a gaming term. It’s what happens when venues operate a casino without the requirement to also run live horse or dog racing. Seems simple enough; but every year, decoupling doesn’t pass because, inevitably, […]

Guest AuthorMarch 13, 2017

For three decades, Florida has offered insurance companies a highly effective, performance-based tax credit that has resulted in tens of thousands of good jobs being created or imported to our state. Not only does this credit bolster our state’s economy in a transparent, accountable way, it also helps ensure insurance rates for Floridians stay as […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2017

Two bills introduced in the Florida Legislature this week seek to bolster gun safety when children are involved. Cosponsored by Plantation Democratic state Sen. Lauren Book, SB 648 would establish a perimeter of safety for students around schools, as well as strengthen penalties for careless storage of firearms which then fall into the hands of […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 9, 2017

It would tax the imagination to come up with anything that Florida needs less than to elect a secretary of state once again. Why would the Legislature even consider that? Sen. Aaron Bean, the sponsor, explained it the other day. As reported by FloridaPolitics.com, the Fernandina Beach Republican told the Senate ethics committee that in […]

Gary FineoutMarch 7, 2017

Once the Florida Legislature kicks off its 60-day Session March 7, legislators are expected to pass, or kill, dozens of measures dealing with everything from abortion to gambling and the environment. So far, more than 2,000 bills have been filed, but in the end, legislators usually pass fewer than 300 pieces of legislation each year. […]

Guest AuthorMarch 6, 2017

There are two things we can count on in Florida. In any given body of water, eventually the alligators will show up. And in any given meeting of the Florida Legislature, the same applies to gambling lobbyists. Feed either and they only become more insatiable. With regard to the gambling interests, unfortunately, the Florida Senate […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
Image via AP.

Divided over dollars: Florida legislators split on spending

Franchise group tweets tone-deaf opposition to ‘Florida Small Business Act’

Mark Wilson, Dominic Calabro: Strangling Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA costly to Sunshine State future

Patient groups abound in formulary debate, but who funds them?

Don’t throw decoupling out with the proverbial gaming bath water

Michael Carlson: Don’t trade a tax cut for a tax increase – preserve the salary tax credits for insurers

Lauren Book, Joe Geller file bills seeking higher penalties for guns at school, boost firearm safety

Florida doesn’t need an elected Secretary of State, or Agriculture Commissioner

Guns, gambling and taxes: Legislators return to work

John Sowinski: Finally, a sensible gambling plan for Florida’s future