Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2015

Legislation is moving in the Legislature that would allow people to buy their lottery tickets at the gas pump despite a lingering question that the measure is an expansion of gambling. The question is more than moral or academic: Expanded gambling is a condition for the Seminole Tribe of Florida to stop sharing revenue from its […]

Jim RosicaNovember 4, 2015

State lawmakers filed bills Wednesday that would create exemptions to state public records law, ranging from topics involving substance abuse to cell-phone tracking. State Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, filed a bill (SB 762) that would shield the names of people involuntarily committed for substance abuse treatment. “The personal health of an individual and […]

Ryan RayNovember 4, 2015

In a quick 20-minute hearing Wednesday morning, the Senate Regulated Industries Committee passed bills to allow lottery tickets to be sold in machines and to require cosmetics makers to register with the state. The Senate panel, led by Chairman Sen. Rob Bradley, an Orange Park Republican and former prosecutor, passed both bills without much debate. Sen. Jeff Brandes said […]

Ryan RayOctober 22, 2015

State lawmakers are in Tallahassee for the fourth time this year to amend Senate maps found by courts to contain improper political bias. With little committee action on the calendar Thursday, several majority-party legislators got to work on their priorities ahead of the 2016 Legislative Session, which begins in January. Here’s a quick look at […]

Phil AmmannOctober 12, 2015

Clearwater state Sen. Jack Latvala was the special guest at a fundraiser for Republican business executive Gary Price in his bid for Senate District 23. The theme of the $100-a-ticket lunch, held at The Grandezza in Estero, was that Tallahassee is broken and new leadership is required. The event drew an audience of about 100. Price, who […]

Ryan RayOctober 5, 2015

The Senate’s committee on Commerce & Tourism has advanced legislation to prevent companies for asking employees for their Facebook or Twitter passwords. The panel on Monday approved SB 186 sponsored by Lake Worth Sen. Jeff Clemens, which explicit prohibits employers from requiring access to the private social media accounts of workers or prospective hires. “The issue is, you’re putting […]

Phil AmmannOctober 5, 2015

State Sen. Jack Latvala will be the special guest at a fundraiser for Republican business executive Gary Price to support his bid for Senate District 23. Price, who served a decade as Naples City Councilman, is seeking to succeed the term-limited Garrett Richter for the Republican-leaning seat covering southern and central Lee and northwestern Collier […]

Ryan RaySeptember 25, 2015

A perennial power player in Tallahassee politics singled out two Republican lawmakers for praise on Friday for their work on behalf of the Florida oil and gas industry. Associated Industries of Florida applauded Sen. Garrett Richter and Rep. Ray Rodrigues for sponsoring, respectively, SB 318 and HB 191, bills aimed at preempting local regulations related to “exploration, development, production, processing, storage, […]

Peter SchorschAugust 26, 2015

State Senator Joe Negron this morning upped the ante in the poker game to be President of the Florida Senate in 2016-18 by releasing the names of his colleagues who have pledged their support to him. Unfortunately for Negron, this latest ploy will likely fall flat. Claiming that he has the support of “Senators who […]

Phil AmmannJune 30, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner appointed Senate President Pro Tempore Garrett Richter on Tuesday to chair the Florida Defense Support Task Force. The 12-member Defense Support board, established by Florida Statute, works to protect and enhance Florida’s military missions and installations. The task force is administered by Enterprise Florida, the quasi-governmental agency that serves as the […]

Is it “expanding gambling” to sell lottery tickets at gas pumps?

Lawmakers file host of privacy-related bills

Regulated Industries panel clears automated lotto tickets, cosmetics bills

Legislative roundup: Slew of Republican bills introduced Thursday

At lunch forum, SD 23 hopeful Gary Price says new leadership is coming

Social media privacy bill advances in Senate

Jack Latvala headlining Gary Price SD 23 fundraiser on Oct. 12

Associated Industries praises Garrett Richter, Ray Rodrigues for carrying onshore gas bill

Sorry, Joe Negron, but this latest ploy for Senate Presidency is weak sauce

Garrett Richter tapped to chair Florida Defense Support Task Force