Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2018

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Three candidates vying in the House District 72 special election engaged in their first — and likely only — televised debate Tuesday night, two weeks before voters decide Feb. 13. Republican James Buchanan, Democrat Margaret Good, and Libertarian Alison Foxall all appeared on the hourlong debate (with commercials) aired on WWSB, the ABC affiliate in Sarasota. Anchor Alan […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 30, 2018

The Senate Regulated Industries Committee narrowly voted in favor of a bill Tuesday that aims to put franchisees on a level playing field with their franchisor. SB 1076, known as the “Small Business Parity Act,” would shield business owners from restrictions on selling their franchises or passing them on to an heir, and would give […]

Scott PowersJanuary 30, 2018

In a battle over how far to roll back local control and regulation of vacation rental homes, state Sen. Greg Steube won a key victory Tuesday. The Senate Committee on Community Affairs approved the Sarasota Republican’s bill, advancing a comprehensive preemption of local laws regulating services provided by companies like Airbnb. That ended a legislative […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 30, 2018

I recently traveled to Tallahassee to represent the Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (FL VRMA), and an industry which has become a vital part of Florida’s tourism economy, at Tourism Day at the Capitol. There, I had the opportunity to listen to an encouraging speech given by Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) President and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 29, 2018

Before and after scenes from the Pulse nightclub slaughter of 2016 and before and after images representing the Sandy Hook Elementary School slaughter of 2012 and the Las Vegas concert slaughter of 2017 are part of a new series of anti-assault weapon videos that The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence has produced and is […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 24, 2018

The ritual of spring forward, fall back has always seemed stupid to me. Just settle on a single time schedule and stick with it — daylight saving, Eastern Standard, whatever. The bouncing back and forth every few months is a pain in the neck, not to mention disorienting. You have to change all the clocks […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 23, 2018

Florida could soon be unified under one time zone. An amendment to a state bill (SB 585) that seeks year-round observance of daylight saving time, or ‘spring forward’ time, would ask Congress to authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow the entire state to observe Eastern Standard Time. In Florida, Central Standard Time observance begins at […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2018

Sarasota Sen. Greg Steube and Fort Myers Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, both Republicans, are sponsoring bills this year that aim to put franchisees on a level playing field with their franchisor. “Florida’s hard-working franchise owners typically invest more than $375,000 of their own personal savings in order to pursue their dream of owning a small business, […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 17, 2018

It’s always nice to get away. No matter how much you enjoy your job, a vacation is a chance to relax with family and friends, experience new cultures and places, or check off an item on your bucket list. The wonder of Florida travel means the tourism and hospitality industry will always have a vital […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 16, 2018

Two measures that would preempt local regulations on vacation rentals featured on sites like Airbnb are facing backlash from the bed and breakfast industry which claims short-term rentals are a “serious risk” to tourists. “We urge our lawmakers not to put Florida’s world-class lodging reputation at risk for illegal commercial operators,” said Carol Dover, the […]

Tag: Greg Steube
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House District 72 candidates hold first TV debate in Sarasota

Franchisee bill squeaks by first Senate panel

Senate committee forwards bill preempting local control of vacation rentals

Jennifer Frankenstein-Harris: Vacation rentals support tourism

Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence launches social media video campaign

Joe Henderson: Save us from spring forward, fall back

Daylight saving time bill could change Panhandle time zone

Greg Steube, Heather Fitzenhagen push bills to help franchise owners

Amanda Pedigo: Traditional vacation rentals part of Florida tourism DNA

Lawmakers want to toss ‘patchwork’ of local vacation rental regulations