Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 31, 2017

Newly filed legislation could affect how much power local governments have to regulate the right of way when it comes to telecommunications equipment. Sen. Travis Hutson, chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries committee, filed the “Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act” (SB 596) on Monday. The bill, among other things, would prohibit the Department of Transportation […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 30, 2017

Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed a bill aimed at providing standardized visitation plans for unmarried parents. The St. Petersburg Republican filed legislation (SB 590) Monday, which would create a standard visitation schedule for unmarried parents. If adopted, the proposal would encourage contact between non-custodial parents and their children. “Spending time with our children is the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 26, 2017

Sen. Keith Perry has filed a bill calling for a 10-day back-to-school tax holiday in August. Under the proposed legislation (SB 490), certain school supplies would be tax exempt from Aug. 4 through 14. “As I talk to folks across north central Florida, I hear the same thing over and over – people are working […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 23, 2017

Drug Free America is urging Florida lawmakers to “proceed with caution” as they begin crafting legislation to implement the state’s newest medical marijuana law. “While we were opposed to Amendment 2 for a number of specific reasons, we recognize Florida voters have spoken,” said Calvina Fay, the executive director of Drug Free America, in a statement. “We also […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2017

Update: State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican, on Friday filed the Senate companion to the House bill, which she says is identical save for “a few punctuation differences.” State Rep. Colleen Burton will try again to overhaul the state’s alimony law, filing a bill on Wednesday. The Lakeland Republican still aims to toughen the standards by which alimony is […]

Scott PowersJanuary 18, 2017

While giving his blessing to state Rep. Jason Brodeur to run for his current post, state Sen. David Simmons says he’s weighing his options to go after the Florida attorney general’s post, Florida’s 7th Congressional District seat, which Democrats just flipped, or staying full-time with his growing law firm. The attorney general option could come sooner […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 18, 2017

Jason Brodeur has his eyes on the Florida Senate. The Sanford Republican announced this week he plans to run for the Florida Senate in 2020. Brodeur said in plans to run in Senate District 9, which is currently held by Sen. David Simmons. “My roots in Central Florida run deep. Growing up here, I witnessed […]

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Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

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

Travis Hutson telecom bill would preempt right of way regulation

Jeff Brandes files bill to standardize visitation plans

Keith Perry files bill to create 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday

Drug Free America urges caution as lawmakers discuss Amendment 2 implementation

Alimony reform bill filed for 2017

David Simmons weighing Florida attorney general, congressional runs

Jason Brodeur announces 2020 state Senate bid