Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 16, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has given the state of Florida another multi-million dollar payday. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported that the tribe paid $19.5 million in gambling revenue share on Monday. The department regulates gambling. That money includes revenue share from banked card games, specifically blackjack. The tribe also offers slots. It has Vegas-style and other gambling at seven casinos […]

Jim RosicaMay 10, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran has added his voice to those calling for a special legislative session on medical marijuana. Corcoran spoke Wednesday on “The Morning Show with Preston Scott” on WFLA-FM radio in Tallahassee. Lawmakers failed to come to agreement this Legislative Session on a bill that would implement the medical cannabis constitutional amendment passed in […]

Jim RosicaMay 9, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-05-09-at-2.57.49-PM.png

A day after the end of the 2017 Legislative Session, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum on Monday called on state lawmakers to pass a bill “strengthening insurance protections for those with pre-existing conditions.” Gillum, the sitting mayor of Tallahassee, appeared at the Florida Press Center with two local women who told of their family members’ […]

Scott PowersMay 9, 2017

In her new response to Gov. Rick Scott‘s argument in their Supreme Court battle over power, Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala contends that the Florida Constitution is clear that she has absolute power over all criminal cases in her jurisdiction, and that the governor can only override it with her permission. The issue is whether […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

Eric Eisnaugle is leaving the House for the bench. Gov. Rick Scott on Monday announced he had appointed Eisnaugle, currently a Republican state representative, to replace former Judge C. Alan Lawson on the 5th District Court of Appeal. Lawson now is a Florida Supreme Court justice. Eisnaugle, 40, of Windermere, has represented House District 44 since […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members on Monday approved a measure dealing with VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida funding on a 74-34 vote. If vetoed, however, the “conforming bill” would need 80 votes to overcome Gov. Rick Scott‘s red pen. Both chambers have begun discussing the 2017-18 state budget, which wasn’t completed on time to finish the 2017 Legislative Session last Friday. […]

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2017

A bill to allow craft distillers to sell more product directly to customers was passed by lawmakers Friday. The measure (HB 141) sailed through a 37-0 vote on the Senate floor, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott. Sen. Greg Steube on Thursday had substituted the House version for his bill. The measure would let distillers sell up to six […]

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott says he doesn’t understand lawmakers’ inability to pass comprehensive gambling legislation this year—especially when he gave them a head start. Scott spoke with FloridaPolitics.com reporter Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster in Naples Thursday, after a stop of his “Fighting For Florida’s Future” tour. Part of the legislative package was a deal negotiated by Scott with the Seminole […]

Scott PowersMay 3, 2017

Rick Scott is declaring a public health emergency across Florida due to the epidemic of heroin and other opioids abuse, addiction, and overdose deaths wracking the Sunshine State. While the governor signed an executive order Wednesday following action by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which declared a national opioid epidemic, it comes months after […]

Jim RosicaMay 2, 2017

State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, the House’s point man on gambling, said an impossibility of compromise over slot machines killed the 2017 gambling bill. “We were too far apart and the Senate wanted to bring it in for a landing during budget conference, and we were not going to be able to do that,” he […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Despite lack of deal, Seminole Tribe still paying state millions

Richard Corcoran joins calls for medical marijuana special session

Andrew Gillum calls for ‘strengthening’ Obamacare in Florida

Aramis Ayala argues that Rick Scott can only reassign cases with consent

GOP Rep. Eric Eisnaugle appointed state appeals judge

House OKs VISIT FLORIDA, Enterprise Florida funding cuts

Craft distillery bill heads to Rick Scott

Rick Scott: Legislature’s inaction on gambling ‘doesn’t make any sense’

Rick Scott declares opioid emergency in Florida

Jose Felix Diaz: ‘We were too far apart’ from Senate on gambling