Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannApril 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: Amanda Cogan has stepped down as district secretary for Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. On: Lisa Goodson is Gaetz’s new district secretary. Off and on: Kevin Reilly has left the job of deputy staff director […]

Drew WilsonMarch 23, 2016

Republican Senate District 23 candidate Nora Patterson announced Wednesday that she had received endorsements from more than 150 from local leaders. “It hasn’t always been easy finding common ground on issues of concern. But I’ve learned that standing on principle and working for solutions, not grandstanding, gets the job done for the people. Standing on […]

Diane RobertsFebruary 10, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE — They call us the Sunshine State, but Florida’s government prefers to operate in the shadows. Like vampire bats, cockroaches and mold spores. If you can’t see what the government is doing, you can’t fight it. That explains the 74 public records exemption bills before the Legislature this Session. Yes, 74 new attacks […]

Diane RobertsFebruary 9, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE — They call us the Sunshine State, but Florida’s government prefers to operate in the shadows. Like vampire bats, cockroaches and mold spores. If you can’t see what the government is doing, you can’t fight it. That explains the 74 public records exemption bills before the Legislature this session. Yes, 74 new attacks […]

Ryan RayJanuary 21, 2016

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz made an appearance in the Tallahassee on Thursday to join legislators and activists in opposing a raft of controversial gun bills now circulating in the Capitol Remarks from Wasserman Schultz and longtime friend and fellow Broward Democrat Sen. Chris Smith seemingly were meant to shame GOP lawmakers into voting the bills down, […]

Ryan RayJanuary 20, 2016

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will speak to reporters and the public about a pair of controversial gun bills circulating in the Legislature at her old state Capitol stamping grounds Thursday. Broward Sen. Chris Smith will join the Democratic National Committee chairwoman in Tallahassee to oppose legislative proposals to allow Floridians to openly carry firearms and to strike […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2016

Despite the Florida House of Representatives’ frequent complaint of judicial overreach, a House panel Wednesday OK’d a measure that would put more power in the hands of judges as it possibly weakens the state’s public record law. The Government Operations Subcommittee by a 12-0 vote approved the bill (HB 1021) that gives judges discretion whether to award attorney […]

Diane RobertsJanuary 15, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – David Bowie is dead, Rick Scott is alive, and the whole idiocracy is back in town, hell-bent on pimping for polluters, arming students, and destroying Florida’s Sunshine Laws. Legislators don’t think you should trouble your pretty little head over what they’re doing with your money. The governor agrees. On Tuesday, he held […]

Diane RobertsJanuary 14, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – David Bowie is dead, Rick Scott is alive, and the whole idiocracy is back in town, hell-bent on pimping for polluters, arming students, and destroying Florida’s Sunshine Laws. Legislators don’t think you should trouble your pretty little head over what they’re doing with your money. The governor agrees. On Tuesday, he held […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 11, 2016

Florida Sunshine Laws, which dictate transparency in government, could be significantly threatened — all with the change of a single word. As reported by Noah Pransky of WTSP, a new bill by Sarasota Republican State Rep. Greg Steube is generating concern among open government advocates, who see it as “legislators trying to further erode citizens’ […]

Tag: Greg Steube

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Nora Patterson announces more than 150 local endorsements in SD 23 race

Diane Roberts: Legislature works hard to keep us in the dark

Diane Roberts: Legislature is working hard to keep citizens in the dark

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, state Dems decry gun proposals

Chris Smith to appear with Debbie Wasserman Schultz to address state gun measures

House panel clears what critics call “weakening” of open government

Diane Roberts: Annoyed legislators drafting more bills to keep government secret

Diane Roberts: Annoyed legislators drafting more bills to keep government secret

Bill changing single word of public records rules could have “disastrous” effect on Sunshine Laws