Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2015

The onshore oil and gas industry has been under heavy scrutiny during the 2015 legislative session, as Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, have filed legislation to provide regulatory certainty to the state of Florida that will ensure this industry is appropriately regulated. This legislation, Senate Bill 1468 and House Bill 1205, […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

The Florida Constitution requires the Florida Legislature to pass a balanced budget and send it to the governor. This is the Constitution’s primary mandate for the Legislature. The Florida budget, like any budget, is comprised of two components: income and expenses. Governmental income is derived from the taxes and fees paid by Floridians and visitors […]

Peter SchorschApril 23, 2015

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We knew from the first day of Session that bills sponsored by Democrats that would impose a moratorium on “fracking” were DOA. But, Sen. Garrett Richter and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, along with the DEP, have developed common-sense legislation that strengthens regulations on the oil and gas industry. Let me repeat that, they want to REGULATE the […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

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A public records bill oil and natural gas hydraulic fracturing passed its final committee stop with the bill sponsor indicating it is in trouble as it heads to the Senate floor. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as high-pressure well stimulation or fracking, involves the use of water, sand and chemicals to extract oil and gas from […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

The Florida Constitution requires the Florida Legislature to pass a balanced budget and send it to the governor. This is the primary mandate required of the Legislature by the constitution. The Florida budget, like any budget is comprised of two components; income and expenses. Governmental income is derived from the taxes and fees paid by […]

Mitch PerryApril 16, 2015

For those of you out there less enamored by Florida’s reputation as the “Gunshine State,” there was some positive news out of Tallahassee Wednesday night. That proposal that would give school superintendents the ability to designate a school district employee or volunteer to carry a concealed weapon on a school campus was scheduled on the […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 15, 2015

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee voted 8-1 to approve Liz Dudek‘s appointment as head of the state Agency for Health Care Administration but only after she answered more than an hour’s worth of questions regarding Low Income Pool funding, Medicaid expansion and how negotiations are evolving with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 14, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner made an appearance at the A Healthy Florida Works press conference on Tuesday, joining a group of business leaders supporting his chamber’s plan to draw down Medicaid dollars and provide access to health care for as many as 800,000 uninsured Floridians. With less than three weeks left in the 2015 regular […]

James CallApril 13, 2015

On Monday, a Senate committee approved the bill regulating drones used to take photos without consent. If passed, violations would carry a $5,000 fine. Distribution of the picture would cost the drone operator $10,000. Even though the Federal Aviation Administration expects to issue guidelines governing drones, officially known as unmanned aerial vehicles, Florida is among more than a dozen […]

Ryan RayApril 9, 2015

A bill to prohibit the sale of powdered alcohol — known as Palcohol — before it has even arrived in Florida retailers passed another test in the Senate on Thursday. The ban was unanimously approved the Rules Committee. Sen. Gwen Margolis’ SB 998 now awaits a vote by the full Senate. Brandon Sen. Tom Lee spoke for many […]

Tag: Garrett Richter
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Brewster Bevis: Ignore 'fracking' charge; support commonsense oil & gas regulations

Garrett Richter: Health care in Florida: It’s our money and we deserve a return

Democrats whip votes AGAINST more regs on the oil and gas industry

Hydraulic fracturing public records bill passes Senate panel as opposition mounts

Garrett Richter: It’s our money and we deserve a return

Mitch Perry Report for 4.16.15 — The $2 billion elephant in the Capitol

Senate grills, then confirms, AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek

Andy Gardiner: Senate will talk Medicaid, health care with “anybody at any time”

Senate committee passes bill limiting drone surveillance

Gwen Margolis’ Palcohol ban progresses in Senate