Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 10, 2017

Matilde Miller will take the helm of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — at least temporarily. Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday Miller was named the interim secretary of DBPR, replacing former Secretary Ken Lawson. “Matilde has spent many years at DBPR serving in numerous leadership positions and understands how important it is to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

A Senate spokeswoman on Tuesday said the chamber’s legislative package on gambling should be ready for hearing later this month. A meeting of the Regulated Industries Committee, which oversees gambling policy, had been set for this Thursday but was cancelled. “Based on conservations with Sen. (Bill) Galvano, President (Joe) Negron anticipates having a bill ready to […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 5, 2017

Legislation filed in the Florida Senate would allow Ruth Eckert Hall and similar auditoriums to benefit from taxes raised to promote tourism. SB 68 by Sen. Denise Grimsley would clarify that tourist development tax dollars may flow to facilities, like Clearwater’s Eckerd Hall, that are publicly owned but managed by nonprofit organizations. Existing law allows […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 5, 2017

A pair of controversial gun bills in the Florida Senate will not be discussed during committee meetings next week According to the Senate calendar, a Judiciary Committee meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday has been cancelled. The committee, which is chaired by Sen. Greg Steube, was set to take up two gun bills during the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 4, 2017

Former Sen. Chris Smith is returning to his legal roots. Smith has joined Tripp Scott, the Fort Lauderdale-based law firm announced this week. “We’re so excited to have you here,” said Edward J. Pozzuoli, the president of Tripp Scott, in a video interview with Smith. The 46-year-old Fort Lauderdale Democrat got his start at Tripp […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 3, 2017

The number of lawmakers prepping for another run keeps on growing. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018. Many of those are incumbents who faced little-to-no opposition in 2016, while others ran hard fought battles to win their spot in the […]

Scott PowersJanuary 2, 2017

Orlando lawyer and Republican fundraiser Ben Newman also is known — sadly not to all — as a merry prankster and over the weekend had many believing he was leaving the powerful GrayRobinson law firm to run a burrito truck. Me among them. Sorry about that. Newman has left GrayRobinson, where he’s been a shareholder […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 31, 2016

Everyone expected Florida to play an important role in politics this year. And why wouldn’t they? Presidential hopefuls hailed from here; the state’s electoral votes were coveted; and its Senate race could have determined control of the U.S. Senate. But just like many predictions in 2016, some of the prophecies for Florida’s outsized role on […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2016

Doug Holder has entered the government affairs sector. Holder recently registered as a lobbyist, representing the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System on behalf of The Legis Group. Holder founded the firm with former Rep. Robert Schenck. A former state representative, Holder served in the Florida House from 2006 until 2014. During […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 27, 2016

Lawmakers could override court decisions they don’t like under bills filed Tuesday. State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican, filed two pieces of legislation, one aimed at state judges and another at federal judges who interpret state laws. The first measure (HJR 121) would allow the Legislature to review judicial rulings that declare legislative acts void. If approved […]

Tag: Florida Senate

Rick Scott selects Matilde Miller to serve as interim DBPR secretary

Senate readies this year’s gambling bill

Bill would qualify Ruth Eckerd Hall for tourism tax dollars

Hearing on gun bills postponed after Senate cancels Judiciary Committee meeting

Personnel note: Former Sen. Chris Smith joins Tripp Scott

More than a dozen lawmakers file for re-election in 2018

Ben Newman New Year’s prank: leaving GrayRobinson for possible political run, not love of burritos

Infamous dates: The moments that shaped Florida politics in 2016

Doug Holder registers to lobby Legislature

Legislation would allow lawmakers to override judges’ rulings