Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 9, 2016

A crucial trial over the future of gambling in Florida could be pushed back until the fall. Attorneys for both the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state on Wednesday asked a federal judge to push back a two-week trial until October. The trial now scheduled for July will determine whether or not the Seminoles […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2016

The University of Central Florida has walked a careful path to line up support for what had been a controversial plan for a downtown Orlando campus, and now the university has everything but the governor’s signature. No one is taking that for granted, though. Over the weekend, with pushes from Senate President Andy Gardiner of […]

Associated PressFebruary 26, 2016

A Florida appeals court on Friday ordered the enforcement of a state law that requires women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion. The 1st District Court of Appeal lifted an injunction that blocked the waiting period from taking effect. In its decision, the three-judge panel contended that a circuit judge did not have […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2016

While watching the Florida Legislature debate regulation of services like Uber and Lyft statewide, I couldn’t help but think of a pair of quotes discovered as I was looking up something else. The first quote, from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, came as the House displayed leadership and vision in approving its version of a bill […]

Diane RobertsFebruary 15, 2016

Sunday was Valentine’s Day. And what did those sweethearts in the Legislature give to the ladies of Florida? A swift kick in the ovaries. Rep. Charles Van Zant’s HB 865 would shut down all abortion clinics, urge the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and make abortion a felony. Zygotes are citizens, too. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2016

Companies seeking to influence the Florida Legislature paid a median of $31,213,000 for the last quarter of 2015, according to data released Monday by the state. That’s a $531,000 increase over the preceding quarter, but still less than the $34,890,000 paid in the first quarter and $35,696,000 during the second. The 2015 Legislative Session overlapped those two quarters, and […]

William MarchFebruary 15, 2016

Environmental groups contend that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is again snubbing voters who want the state to purchase conservation land. They contend the budget proposals the Legislature is now developing violate Amendment 1, passed overwhelmingly in 2014, directing that a third of the revenue from documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions go to buy […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 9, 2016

What would you think if your neighbors decided one Christmas that instead of getting their daughter a much-wanted hula hoop and their son a long-prized model airplane (that loops the loop), fairness demands that they give their children carbon copies of the same toy? If you’re like me, you’d probably think, “Surely, it must be […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 8, 2016

What would you think if your neighbors decided one Christmas that instead of getting their daughter a much-wanted hula hoop and their son a long-prized model airplane (that loops the loop), fairness demands that they give their children carbon copies of the same toy? If you’re like me, you’d probably think, “Surely, it must be […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 8, 2016

Lawmakers could only raise money for the first 11 days of the year, but that didn’t stop some of the top Republicans in Legislature the posting six-figure hauls to start the year. Campaign and committee finance reports aren’t due until Wednesday, though Sen. Bill Galvano’s political committee, Innovate Florida, leads early filers after posting $216,000 […]

Tag: Florida Legislature

Crucial federal trial over gambling could be pushed back

With downtown campus funding in budget, UCF hopes it has satisfied Rick Scott

Florida’s 24-hour abortion waiting period to take effect

The case for why there should be a legislative deal for Uber & Lyft

Diane Roberts: Legislators celebrate Valentine’s Day by working to limit women’s options

AT&T, HCA, U.S. Sugar in top three for lobbying expenses

Groups upset with legislators over land conservation

William Mattox: Debate over mandatory recess exposes folly of education “uniformity”

William Mattox: Debate about mandatory recess exposes folly of ‘uniformity’ in education

Republican committees post 6-figure hauls in first days of 2016