Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 14, 2017

The University of Florida would get about $2.5 million to study the effectiveness of medical marijuana under a bill that cleared the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Tuesday. HB 3159 by Cape Coral Republican Rep. Dane Eagle is aimed at the compassionate use bill lawmakers approved in 2014, which legalized low-THC, high-cannabidiol marijuana for the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 13, 2017

On Monday, a House committee advanced legislation that could result in a 2018 constitutional amendment asking Floridians to make Secretary of State an elected position. Stuart Republican Gayle Harrell told members of the House Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee that the Secretary of State’s office is so important, that he or she needs to be accountable to all the citizens […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2017

Historically, the Secretary of State in Florida was elected by the public, but that changed in 1998, when constitutional changes removed that position from the elected Cabinet of the executive branch. Now, 19 years later, Fernandina Beach Republican Sen. Aaron Bean wants to bring that position back into the Cabinet. At the Senate Committee on Ethics and […]

Les NeuhausFebruary 23, 2017

Standing before the members of the Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee Thursday, Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll admitted Naika Venant had been in out of foster care since 2009. Since April alone, she had been in 10 foster homes alone that included a hotel and a child welfare office building, according […]

Les NeuhausFebruary 22, 2017

Members of the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice passed a highly-contested bill Tuesday, potentially changing the state’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense laws. If passed, it would place the burden of proof on the prosecution (or state) in cases of those who claim self-defense immunity in acts of violence when brought before judiciary proceedings. HB 245 […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2017

While some Republicans in Tallahassee were startled last week when Democrats walked out of a committee hearing in reaction to a speaker who made controversial comments, Janet Cruz says her caucus won’t be “mainstreaming hate speech as a legitimate part of political debate” anytime soon. The Democrat House Minority Leader was referring to Thursday, when five Democrats in the House’s […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 24, 2017

A recent study by the Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability into how effective managed care plans are at providing dental care appeared to be inconclusive, agency officials said this week. OPPAGA was tasked with looking into how effectively managed care plans are at providing dental care under a contentious 2016 law. The […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort […]

Steve SchaleJuly 18, 2016

In the last two weeks, I’ve gotten more calls from reporters and political types wanting to talk about the political implications of the Everglades than I’ve gotten in the last 10 years. Algae is on everyone’s mind. Environmental issues tend to be the type that polls well. However, they aren’t the sort of issues that tend […]

Ryan RayApril 14, 2016

Democrat Crystal Lucas landed a prominent supporter’s backing on Thursday, announcing the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy. Lucas, a teacher and environmental activist from Stuart, is challenging third-term Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell in HD 83, a moderate swing seat that could go Democratic in a 2016 presidential cycle. Murphy said Lucas was the right woman for the job […]

Tag: Gayle Harrell
United States election confusion and Community vote or voting crisis concept as hands holding votes casting ballots in a tangled American flag as voters confused with 3D illustration elements.

House bill advances to give University of Florida $2.5M for medical marijuana study

Proposal to make Secretary of State an elected Cabinet position advances in Florida House

Legislation that would make Florida’s Secretary of State an elected position advances

Dismayed, DCF head Mike Carroll explains fragments of Facebook Live suicide case

House committee passes controversial change to ‘Stand Your Ground’

Janet Cruz says Florida Dems won’t ‘mainstream hate speech’ in 2017

House panel gets update on dental carve out law

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Steve Schale: Watching algae politics? Here is a race to watch.

Patrick Murphy endorses Crystal Lucas in HD 83