Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 16, 2015

A bill allowing gun owners without concealed weapon permits to take their guns along during emergency evacuations appears to have a good chance of passing this year. SB 822 will go to the floor of the Florida Senate on Tuesday after getting approval in all three of its required committee stops. A Senate committee killed […]

Ryan RayMarch 4, 2015

A matching pair of proposals that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed committees in both legislative chambers on Wednesday. First up was Fort Myers Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen‘s HB 493, which passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 9 to 2, with Democratic Reps. Clovis Watson and Randolph Bracy dissenting. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2015

Last month St. Petersburg-based state Senator Jeff Brandes thrilled advocates for medical marijuana in Florida with a legislative proposal that he introduced for consideration for the 2015 session. It came just months after Floridians voted by nearly 58 percent margin for a medical marijuana constitutional amendment, a substantial mandate, but short of the 60 percent […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 3, 2015

What a difference a week makes. Last week Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri made headlines when he issued tentative support for state Sen. Jeff Brandes legislation that would legalize medical marijuana in Florida. That was noteworthy, as the sheriff had been a leading critic of Amendment 2, the constitutional amendment to legalize medical pot that received nearly […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 8, 2015

State Sen. Jeff Brandes has again filed a bill which would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a license during mandatory evacuations. After a contentious debate led to the failure of a similar proposal last year, the St. Petersburg Republican filed the bill (SB 290) on Thursday that revives the issue. Among critics of the […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 30, 2014

“Daniel” wouldn’t hesitate to tell you his real name. Protecting him is my call. Until and unless Florida voters approve Constitutional Amendment 2 on Nov. 4, marijuana is still illegal in the state. Who knows who might come after him for something he alleges here? In addition to the chronic physical pain he suffers, he […]

Guest AuthorMay 6, 2014

Whoever limited the length of the Florida legislative session did so wisely. There’s no telling how much damage earnest but ideological politicians can do in 90 days. Too often we saw legislators proposing bills to suit constituents with narrow interests. Exhibit 1: The Growler bill pushed by major beer distributors but one that could have […]

Julie DelegalSeptember 3, 2013

Recently, the Florida Sheriff’s Association voted by voice poll to support the “concept” of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. As the Tampa Tribune noted, however, not all of Florida’s sheriffs support all aspects of the 2005 changes to the self-defense statutes. And that’s with good reason. The revisions that brought us Stand Your Ground may […]

Tag: Florida Sheriffs Association

Bill on guns, emergency evacuations goes to Senate floor

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents

Florida House members introduce non-smokeable medical marijuana bill

Florida Sheriffs Association opposes Jeff Brandes medical pot bill

Jeff Brandes refiles controversial gun bill from 2014

Stephen Goldstein: Medical marijuana patient describes pain, benefits, struggles

Andrew Skerritt: Ideological politicians run amok during legislative session

Julie Delegal: Dear visitors, ‘Welcome to the Gunshine State’