Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2017

A bill that would allow advertising by beer companies in the state’s theme parks is ready for a final vote in the Senate. The measure (SB 388), carried by Republican Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, was heard on the floor Tuesday and placed on the third reading calendar. It eases the state’s “tied house evil” law […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 17, 2017

A proposed amendment to the Senate’s medical marijuana implementing could limit the number of retail facilities allowed to dispense medical marijuana. Sen. Frank Artiles filed an amendment to the Senate proposal (SB 406) Monday that appears to place a cap on the number of retail facilities from which medical marijuana treatment centers can dispense medical […]

Rosanne DunkelbergerApril 17, 2017

In the venue where newly qualified, but unlikely, candidate Rick Scott introduced himself to Tallahassee in 2010 and another potential gubernatorial candidate, John Morgan, came to visit in February, Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala paid a visit Monday to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. While rumors swirl about Latvala’s possible 2018 run for Florida’s top […]

Michael MolineApril 13, 2017

The Senate met the two-thirds requirement Thursday to send Gov. Rick Scott a bill creating a public-records exemption for information that could identify murder witnesses. The vote was 34-3 to accept CS/CS/HB 111, the House version of legislation sponsored in the Senate by Ocoee Democrat Randolph Bracy. Exemptions to Florida’s stringent public-records laws require two-thirds votes in […]

Michael MolineApril 13, 2017

A bill clarifying that homeowners need not wait to be attacked inside their dwellings before resorting to defensive force passed the Senate Thursday. CS/CS/SB 1052 would reconcile conflicting statutes involving self-defense, correcting drafting errors muddying the legal situation made in 2014 legislation, bill sponsor David Simmons said. “Senators, this protects all of us in our own home. It’s […]

Scott PowersApril 12, 2017

A Florida Legislature Conference Committee showdown appears likely over how much money will be cut from Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala‘s office now that the Florida Senate passed a budget package Wednesday that includes a much smaller cut than is being proposed in the Florida House. Engineered by state Sen. Randolph Bracy, an Oakland Democrat, […]

Michael MolineApril 12, 2017

The Trump administration’s pledge of $1.5 million to pay hospitals for charity care came as the Senate — which was counting on the money — debated its budget plan for 2017-18. Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala announced the development Wednesday on the Senate floor, saying Gov. Rick Scott had delivered the news during a telephone call. “Thank […]

Staff ReportsApril 12, 2017

LeadingAge Florida CEO Steve Bahmer is thanking Senate Democratic Minority Leader Oscar Braynon for a proposed amendment that would tweak the Senate’s proposed prospective payment system for nursing homes, which is currently included in the Senate’s budget. The amendment, filed earlier this week, specifies that “funds received by a facility beyond current levels be used […]

Scott PowersApril 11, 2017

Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala‘s office would take a much smaller budget hit this year under a compromise worked out by state Sen. Randolph Bracy and Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala Tuesday. Both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives have been pursuing budget proposals that would have cut at least $1.3 million […]

Staff ReportsApril 6, 2017

A bill that would create a regulatory framework for transportation network companies in Florida cleared the Senate Rules Committee, teeing it up for a vote in the full Senate within the coming days. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, the bill (SB 340) would require Uber and Lyft to carry $100,000 of insurance for bodily injury […]

Tag: Florida Senate
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Booze bill ready for vote in Senate

Amendment could limit the number of retail locations allowed to dispense medical marijuana

House ‘assault’ derails Senate, budget chief Jack Latvala tells Tiger Bay

Public-records exemption for murder witnesses heading to the governor

Senate votes to clear up ‘mistakes’ in self-defense law for homeowners

Florida Senate passes budget with limited cut to Aramis Ayala’s office

Trump administration comes to the rescue as Senate approves its budget

LeadingAge calls proposed amendment to Senate nursing home payment plan a ‘step in the right direction’

Randolph Bracy, Jack Latvala reach compromise on Senate cut to Aramis Ayala’s office

Bill to regulate Uber, Lyft headed to Senate floor