Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott’s favored economic incentive program – the Quick Action Closing Fund (QAC) – is now losing money, the Legislature’s chief economist told a Senate panel Wednesday. The QAC is a pot of cash that Scott can draw up to $2 million from without legislative approval to entice businesses to the state. But though […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 7, 2017

A bill creating a “chief data officer” position in the Agency for State Technology easily cleared its first Senate panel. The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee OK’d the legislation (SB 362) unanimously on Tuesday. It also establishes a “Geographic Information Office” within the agency. “GIS activities are fragmented across the state with duplication of data collection and storage,” a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 7, 2017

A Senate panel OK’d a bill Tuesday to implement Amendment 4, which exempts solar and renewable energy devices from property taxes in Florida. The Senate Communications, Energy & Public Utilities Committee voted unanimously to approved the bill (SB 90). The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, excepts solar and renewable energy devices from property taxes […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 7, 2017

The head of the state’s child welfare agency told a legislative panel his department has now handed over “5,000 pages of documents” to a judge looking into why a foster child hung herself while broadcasting it on social media. Mike Carroll, secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), spoke to the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee this week. […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 7, 2017

Following her appointment to a constitutional review panel, former state Sen. Arthenia Joyner said she was “truly honored and deeply grateful for the trust Chief Justice (Jorge) Labarga has placed in me.” On Monday, Labarga announced the Tampa Democrat as one of his three picks for the Constitution Revision Commission. The other two are former Florida Bar […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 2, 2017

The Florida House has fired back, filing a proposed committee bill this week completely eliminate Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private jobs agency. The proposed committee bill (PCB CCS 17-01) would, among other things, abolish Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, two organizations which have drawn the ire of House Speaker Richard Corcoran. The bill, which is […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2017

State Sen. Dorothy Hukill will be absent from the upcoming committee week as she continues her battle against cervical cancer, a Senate spokeswoman said Thursday. “We expect her to return within a few weeks,” Katie Betta told FloridaPolitics.com. “Until then, she will remain engaged in the legislative process by working remotely as she continues her treatment and recovery.” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 1, 2017

Sen. Jeff Brandes wants a total overhaul of the state’s medical marijuana laws, filing legislation to repeal current law dealing with low-THC cannabis and replace it with a new regulatory system. The St. Petersburg Republican filed the legislation (SB 614) Wednesday. A long-time critic of the current medical marijuana system, Brandes’ bill has the potential […]

Scott PowersJanuary 31, 2017

Florida Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon considers 2nd Amendment arguments to be about philosophy and he’d much rather talk about running from house parties when shots break out or watching from behind a car while the man on the other side is shot dead. “This is my reality,” Braynon told a room full of journalists […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 31, 2017

Securing funding to purchase land south of Lake Okeechobee remains a top priority for Senate President Joe Negron. But Negron could face a tough road ahead. Gov. Rick Scott did not include money for a proposed Everglades reservoir in his 2017-18 budget, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran has dismissed the idea of bonding to pay […]

Tag: Florida Senate

Rick Scott’s favorite business incentive is losing money, Senate hears

Senate panel OKs bill to create chief data officer

Amendment 4 implementing bill clears first Senate committee

Mike Carroll: “We aren’t always able” to save “broken” children

Arthenia Joyner “truly honored” to be on Constitution Revision Commission

House to consider proposed committee bill to eliminate Enterprise Florida

Dorothy Hukill extends legislative absence as she fights cancer

Jeff Brandes files medical marijuana implementing bill

Oscar Braynon: gun legislation is about ‘reality not philosophy’

Land purchase south of Lake O remains top priority for Joe Negron