Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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. […]

Associated PressNovember 7, 2016

Six years ago, Florida voters approved constitutional amendments with the catchy title of “Fair Districts” that promised to end the political games that surrounded drawing legislative and congressional districts. Due to expensive court battles and standoffs in the Florida Legislature, this year’s election will mark the first time the full effort to end gerrymandering will […]

Michael MolineOctober 26, 2016

Cracking down on shady contractors and attorneys is the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s top priority for the 2017 legislative session, but officials made clear Wednesday they intend to protect consumers’ rights in drafting their proposals. “It’s our No. 1 priority, but we would like to fix it in a surgical way,” Caitlin Murray, the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2016

A pivotal hearing in a lawsuit over the state’s environmental funding is coming up in December. Lawyers for the Legislature and environmental advocacy groups are set to argue over a summary judgment motion Dec. 5 before Circuit Judge Charles W. Dodson in Tallahassee. Granting such motions allows parties to win a case without a trial. Florida Wildlife […]

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

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

Will ‘fair districts’ in Florida lead to a fairer outcome?

Insurance regulators provide additional details of legislative priorities

December hearing set for environmental Amendment 1 lawsuit