Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott Thursday announced the reappointment of Syd Kitson and Darlene Jordan to the Board of Governors of the State University System. The move comes after the Florida Senate, which must confirm Scott’s appointments, failed to do so during this year’s Legislative Session. Kitson, 58, CEO of Kitson & Partners, “had a notable career […]

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2017

Florida lawmakers will head back to Tallahassee in mid-September to kick-off the 2018 Legislative Session. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran outlined the interim committee week schedule in memos to their respective members Thursday. The schedule, as it stands right now, includes one week in September, two weeks in October and November, […]

Jim RosicaJune 22, 2017

You can’t give away some art these days. At least 10 museums or other institutions have declined an offer from the Florida Senate to donate its “Five Flags Mural“—now in storage—that formerly adorned the wall outside the chamber’s 5th floor public and press galleries in the Capitol. “Most cited the size of the mural and […]

Michael MolineJune 7, 2017

That deal everyone assumed Gov. Rick Scott struck with legislative leaders to ensure a smooth special session? It didn’t exist. At least, it didn’t include Senate President Joe Negron. Scott invited him to Friday’s press conference held to announce that he was calling a three-day special session on education, Visit Florida, and Enterprise Florida, Negron said […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 31, 2017

The budget is on the governor’s desk. Senate President Joe Negron sent 13 bills, including the 2017-18 spending plan, to Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday. Scott now has until June 15 to act on the $82.4 billion spending plan, but exactly how he plans to proceed remains unclear. The Naples Republican has been tight-lipped on […]

Jim RosicaMay 25, 2017

Saying it could hurt job creation, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a contentious bill that would have removed the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. Scott filed his veto letter of the measure (SB 106) on Wednesday night, his deadline to act on the bill. It’s the first veto of a bill from the 2017 […]

Jim RosicaMay 21, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-01-26-at-1.25.54-PM.png

Costco now is joining Wal-Mart, Target and others in one last push to get Gov. Rick Scott to sign a bill to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. Their Floridians For Fair Business Practices coalition on Friday released a tranche of letters sent to Scott encouraging him to OK the legislation (SB […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2017

Without using the words “Special Session,” Senate President Joe Negron is seeking “ideas” from fellow senators after the 2017 Legislative Session ended without a bill to implement the state’s medical marijuana constitutional amendment. Negron sent a memo Thursday, released by his office, saying he “believe(s) we should consider the best way to meet our constitutional obligation […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 5, 2017

A bill to implement the 2016 medical marijuana constitutional amendment is dead, after the House amended the bill to increases the cap on retail facilities twentyfold. The decision to send the bill back to the Senate kill the legislation (HB 1397), where senators were unwilling to increase the caps. Earlier in the day, Sen. Bill […]

Phil AmmannMay 5, 2017

Florida senators, including some reluctant Democrats, voted to expanded two of Florida’s de facto education voucher programs that aid low-income students and those with disabilities. The Tampa Bay Times reports HB 15 passed 27-11 Friday morning, on a vote where four Democrats joined Republicans. The bill returns to the House this afternoon for final approval […]

Tag: Florida Senate

Rick Scott reappoints picks to State University System Board of Governors

Legislative leaders announce committee week schedule

Absent any takers, Senate mural in limbo

As Special session opens, the Florida Senate asserts its prerogatives

Senate sends $82.4 billion budget to Rick Scott

The hangover: Rick Scott vetoes ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill

Big-box chains, others make one last push for ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

Joe Negron seeks guidance on medical marijuana

Medical marijuana bill dead for 2017 Session

Senate advances voucher expansion bill, goes to House for final vote