Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineDecember 13, 2016

House ethics guru Don Rubottom wrote a poem to explain what the chamber’s new ethics regime is all about: “If you propose it, it should be disclosed before you discuss it, “Before it shows up in any draft of a bill or amendment, “Long before it is filed in the House. “If others propose, disclose […]

Michael MolineDecember 7, 2016

Florida House Democratic chief Janet Cruz announced her leadership team Wednesday, saying she strove for diversity in their selection. “In order to build consensus on how to confront the difficult issues facing our state, we must take into account the many varying stakeholders whose futures will be affected by the decisions we make in the […]

Michael MolineDecember 5, 2016

Business leaders emphasized the risk rising workers’ compensation costs pose to Florida’s economic competitiveness during an Associated Industries of Florida-sponsored discussion Monday. “There are other governors competing against our governor for the next plant, the next manufacturing facility, the next high-tech jobs,” said Tom Feeney, president and chief executive officer of the business lobby. “They […]

Associated PressDecember 5, 2016

A new state report finds that Florida’s massive retirement account for public employees did not meet its goals over the past year, but that it’s still doing well over the long term. Researchers who work for the Florida Legislature released a report this past week that looked at the performance of the Florida Retirement System […]

Anne LindbergNovember 29, 2016

When the dust cleared in Tallahassee on Tuesday, one thing was clear: Pinellas was on top when it comes to the state’s funds. Republican Sens. Jack Latvala and Jeff Brandes, who represent parts of Pinellas, landed some plum appointments. Latvala will be the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and alt. chair of the Joint […]

Michael MolineNovember 28, 2016

The Capitol Press Corps got its first scolding, albeit a gentle one, from Richard Corcoran last week. The new House Speaker was repeatedly asked during a news conference about how Senate President Joe Negron‘s priorities during the coming legislative session might conflict with his own. “You people are so conditioned and trained. But so are we — I don’t […]

Michael MolineNovember 28, 2016

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A Florida House member has reintroduced legislation that would allow people to carry firearms inside airport terminals. State Rep. Jake Raburn, a Lithia Republican, filed HB 6001 on Wednesday. The measure would eliminate the words “passenger terminal” of airports from a list of places where state law forbids people to carry guns. The measure also […]

Michael MolineNovember 21, 2016

Florida House Democrats formally elected Janet Cruz of Tampa as their leader Monday, but the vote hadn’t even happened before she faced her first setback — reportedly placing Minority Staff Director Joe McCann on leave for unspecified reasons. Cruz is the first Hispanic leader of the caucus and will serve through 2018. The Democrats elected Rep. Bobby Dubose […]

Anne LindbergNovember 21, 2016

Tuesday is an important day for freshman members of the Florida Legislature. They’ll be sworn in and have to start making good on those campaign promises. However, there’s a lot to do before they start filing bills. “It’s going to be a learning session for me,” said Wengay Newton, who represents House District 70, which […]

Scott PowersNovember 18, 2016

Of the three new members of Congress elected from Orlando this month, Democrat Darren Soto is the one who’s no mystery to constituents, and still committed to the same agenda he’s pursued for nearly 10 years in the Florida Legislature: a stronger, fairer economy. Soto, 38, an Orlando lawyer, defeated Republican businessman Wayne Liebnitzky for the open […]

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

Tallahassee lobbyists have a learning moment about ethics reform

Janet Cruz highlights diversity in picking Democratic leadership

AIF emphasizes job-killing aspect of Florida’s workers’ comp increases

Florida’s pension plan performing well over long term

Jack Latvala, Jeff Brandes will help control the purse strings in Tallahassee next year

Richard Corcoran: In the House, “We are very, very conservative”

Guns-in-airports bill resurfaces for 2017 Legislative Session

Florida House Democratic caucus elects first Latina leader

For Ben Diamond, Wengay Newton, a time of learning and outreach

For Darren Soto, it’s still all about a stronger, fairer economy