Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 3, 2018

There is “zero tolerance” for sexual harassment in the Legislature, leaders say, but an ethics reform package that would create new rules and penalties for sexual harassment may not become law this year. The Florida House unanimously passed the proposal this week, but Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley is blocking the bill in the Senate because […]

Scott PowersMarch 1, 2018

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis on Thursday denounced Florida Legislature efforts to tighten gun restrictions and said the mass shooting two weeks ago at the Parkland high school should be seen as “a catastrophic failure” by the Broward County sheriff and the FBI. DeSantis, a congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach, has made similar comments in […]

Scott PowersFebruary 28, 2018

Declaring that Florida lawmakers are failing to respond to post-Parkland calls to address guns, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King said Wednesday that the people of Florida deserve a special session. King, a Winter Park businessman, advocated for a ban on military-style assault weapons and comprehensive background checks on gun purchases, and contended that Marjory Stoneman […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 26, 2018

The NRA boycott is gaining corporate converts every day, so maybe it’s time ask the gun-rights lobby this simple question: How does it feel? The National Rifle Association grew into an organization with outsized influence because it keeps lawmakers in line with the threat of political and economic pressure. Its leaders have long understood that […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 24, 2018

As House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s priority education bill is pushed through the Senate committee process, some watching this week were perplexed by the vote of one sometimes perplexing Republican lawmaker. Sen. Tom Lee, who has helped carry Corcoran’s policy in a sometimes-hostile Senate, voted with Democrats to gut language from the omnibus bill that would […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 23, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday ordered flags at half-staff for former state Rep. Rob Wallace. Wallace, a Republican, represented House District 47, comprising northwest Hillsborough and northern Pinellas counties, from 1994 to 2002. He lived in Tampa, and owned and operated a civil and environmental engineering company. The 65-year-old died earlier this week after jumping from […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 23, 2018

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Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced a “major action plan to keep Florida students safe following (the) tragic Parkland shooting,” according to a statement from his office. That includes $500 million for school safety and mental health initiatives. Here are his remarks as prepared for delivery: Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 23, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday ordered flags at half-staff to honor Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Stanton. Stanton, a nearly 11-year veteran of the department, died while on duty Feb. 17. “His patrol car was struck by a tractor-trailer on I-95,” according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. “The tractor-trailer suffered a tire blow-out, causing […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 20, 2018

Six days after the deadliest high school shooting in the state’s history, a law enforcement panel convened Tuesday in Tallahassee at Gov. Rick Scott’s request to discuss ideas that can prevent future campus massacres. “I have a wife at home that won’t send our kids to school,” Coconut Creek Police Chief Albert “Butch” Arenal said. […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 17, 2018

With only three weeks left in the 2018 Legislative Session, the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is dominating the conversation in Tallahassee. Democrats have started making noise about Republicans obstructing their long-stalled gun control bills, while GOP-leaders have focused on the need for changes to mental health laws, and needed funding boosts. Gov. Rick […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Ethics reform in peril

Ron DeSantis calls Parkland massacre a failure of FBI, sheriff; denounces state gun proposals

Chris King decries loopholes in gun laws, urges special session

Joe Henderson: NRA boycott shows pressure can work both ways

Takeaways from Tallahassee — A puzzling vote

Flags ordered at half-staff for former Rep. Rob Wallace

Rick Scott calls for $500M in response to school shooting

Flags at half staff for Brevard Deputy Kevin Stanton

Florida sheriffs propose more school resource officers, arming teachers with guns

Takeaways from Tallahassee — A tragic dialogue