Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Staff ReportsNovember 18, 2016

John Thrasher has registered to lobby for Florida State University, two years after his installation as the university’s president. Under state law, former legislators must wait two years before becoming eligible to seek to influence their former colleagues. Thrasher’s registration took effect on Monday, according to state records. Thrasher is a former House speaker who […]

Michael MolineNovember 15, 2016

Newcomers to the Florida Senate were met with a dose of reality Tuesday, in the form of a warning about the state’s iffy revenue forecasts. They also got a dose of optimism from Jeff Atwater, the state’s chief financial officer, who told them Florida is in relatively good shape compared to other big states like […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2016

State officials trying to nail down how much money Florida government will have to spend next year confronted two major uncertainties Monday: Whether and when a long-expected surge in housing construction will arrive. And whether Donald Trump will govern as he campaigned. “It’s really too early to build in anything that’s unique to the Trump […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 11, 2016

On one of my earliest days covering the Florida Legislature, I was walking along the main hall a few feet behind Jack Lee, the lobbyist for Associated Industries, when a document dropped out of his portfolio. He didn’t seem to notice, so I picked it up, intending to return it to him. I barely had […]

Staff ReportsNovember 10, 2016

Former Florida House member Doug Holder fell short in a Senate bid this year, but his consolation prize is a seat on the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority’s board. Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment to a vacant position Thursday. Holder served in the state House between 2006 and 2014, but finished second in a crowded […]

Michael MolineNovember 10, 2016

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The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is having trouble retaining actuaries, aides to Gov. Rick Scott learned Thursday, as a raft of state agencies presented their budget requests for the next fiscal year. The office is asking for $31.6 million for FY 16-17, including $488,651 to boost its actuarial firepower, agency budget director Richard Fox said. […]

Associated PressNovember 8, 2016

A proposed amendment to the state constitution to legalize medical marijuana has gained widespread support in Florida two years after falling just shy of passing. Most state polls have support for Amendment 2 above the 60 percent threshold needed for approval. A similar measure was on the 2014 general election ballot and received 58 percent. […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
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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

John Thrasher finally free to lobby for FSU

Freshman state senators learn the ropes in Tallahassee

Florida budget forecasters sweating housing starts, ‘Trump effect’

Martin Dyckman: Richard Corcoran brings wisdom to reign in Tallahassee lobbyists

Personnel note: Doug Holder to serve on Sarasota Manatee airport board

State agencies outline spending hopes with tight budget looming

2nd try at medical pot amendment gains support in Florida