Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 12, 2018

After contentious weeks at the U.S. Capitol, Congressman Darren Soto has turned his attention toward Tallahassee, where he believes legislators face “big challenges” and should seize the opportunity to unite on major issues facing the state. The Orlando-area Democrat gave his take on the state’s Session on Monday during a press conference with several Hispanic […]

Scott PowersFebruary 8, 2018

A bill to once again roll back local regulation of vacation rental homes got approval Thursday from the Florida Senate Committee on Regulated Industries, its second committee success. The bill, a committee substitute that combined Senate Bills 1400 and 1640 introduced by Republican state Sens. Greg Steube and David Simmons, drew a long list of […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 7, 2018

As the Senate motored through a long list of budget amendments on Wednesday, a proposal to boost funding to deal with the mounting clemency case backlog was tossed. Sen. Darryl Rouson, a Pinellas County Democrat, withdrew his own amendment, which would have given the Florida Commission on Offender Review $500,000 in ongoing state funds to […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 1, 2018

A proposed change to a House bill that would have made it legal for some adults to have sex with children as young as 14 was tossed on Thursday after it drew criticism from a top senator. But a House panel still pushed forward a proposal that would allow certain minors to wed, moving away […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 31, 2018

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In an effort that would comply with voters’ wishes, the Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a proposal that would direct $100 million to the Florida Forever land-buying program every year. “This is one of the things we can be proud of not just when we go back home, but for many years to come,” […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 31, 2018

Inspired by the story of a woman who was forced to marry her rapist at 11 years old, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would ban the marriage of all minors in the state. “It closes a loophole so that children can’t be used and abused by persons who under normal circumstances […]

Scott PowersJanuary 30, 2018

In a battle over how far to roll back local control and regulation of vacation rental homes, state Sen. Greg Steube won a key victory Tuesday. The Senate Committee on Community Affairs approved the Sarasota Republican’s bill, advancing a comprehensive preemption of local laws regulating services provided by companies like Airbnb. That ended a legislative […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 29, 2018

A Senate panel on Monday pushed forward a bill that would make it harder for future lawmakers to raise taxes, but also put the upper chamber at odds with the House and Gov. Rick Scott. The proposal by Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel is less stringent than the version passed by the House last week. Under […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 26, 2018

A Senate panel on Thursday pushed forward a redraft of a bill that would allow people to bring guns to churches with attached schools as long as there are no school-sponsored activities going on. Before changes to the bill were approved, two Republicans in the Judiciary Committee expressed concern that the Republican sponsor of the […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 24, 2018

As Florida voters prepare to decide whether to automatically restore the voting rights of about 1.5 million felons, the state is grappling with how to handle its lengthy backlog of clemency cases. More than 10,000 felons are currently waiting for their applications to be reviewed by the Florida Commission on Offender Review, which has to […]

Tag: Florida Senate
Image via AP.

Darren Soto: State lawmakers need to unite on policy

Vacation rentals bill approved by Senate Regulated Industries Committee

Senator’s proposal to boost funding for clemency case backlog withdrawn

House alters child marriage bill to allow some minors to wed

Senate approves $100 million for Florida Forever land-buying program

Florida Senate unanimously votes to ban child marriages in state

Senate committee forwards bill preempting local control of vacation rentals

Senate at odds with House, governor on proposal that limits tax hikes

Some Republicans wary of Dennis Baxley after gun bill redraft

Senate proposes $500K to tackle backlog of clemency cases