Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsMarch 5, 2017

Think of it as the last hurrah before the 2017 Legislative Session. Members of the House and Senate can’t raise money while the Legislature is session, putting a 60-day pause on fundraising each year. And while that may be good news for their most loyal contributors’ pocketbooks, it does mean you can expect a mad […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-01-26-at-1.25.54-PM.png

House members served up a sour version of the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill Wednesday as it barely cleared its first committee. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee cleared the legislation (HB 81) by a vote of 8-7, with the panel’s chair, Monticello Republican Halsey Beshears, voting against it. This is the fourth year a version of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 15, 2017

Addressing what he called the “obvious elephant in the room,” Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson criticized Florida House members who backed an effort to end economic incentive programs, calling the move political. “I want to be blunt for a few minutes,” said Wilson. “This is not a Legislature trying to seek how to diversify the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 13, 2017

The list of legislative hopefuls just keeps getting longer. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Dorothy Hukill is one of those thinking about her next election. State election records show she […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-02-08-at-12.38.12-PM.png

A Florida House panel Wednesday cleared a bill that would eliminate the Enterprise Florida economic development organization, the VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency, and a slew of economic incentive programs. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee OK’d the proposal (PCB CCS 17-01) by a nearly party-line vote of 10-5. One Democrat voted for it, Miami’s Roy […]

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 […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2016

Florida legislators may have publicly backed a presidential candidate, but new research finds that several lawmakers failed to vote in the state’s primary election. Noah Pransky of WTSP reports that a number of lawmakers — just like in 2012 – simply did not take part in Florida’s March 15 presidential preference primary, including four from […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2016

A bill making sweeping changes to the Department of Financial Services is heading to the Senate Thursday after passing the House floor 114 to 1. In addition to rewriting a variety of regulations, HB 651, from Monticello Republican Rep. Halsey Beshears, also establishes or alters numerous DFS programs, reports LobbyTools. Among the changes, the bill […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 18, 2016

A pair of bills making way through both the House and Senate this week seek to make wide-ranging changes to the Department of Financial Services. Among the changes, according to LobbyTools, include the establishment of new public employee programs as well as modifying several existing programs, insurance regulations, fire codes and others. For fire departments, House […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

funfair__ghosts__merrygoround_by_abbyarcanine-1024x1024.jpg

With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Sue Berfield is the new district secretary for state Rep. Chris Latvala. On: Peter Campbell and Linda Segall are new district secretaries for state Rep. Katie Edwards. On: Lance Clemons and Pamela Watt have […]

Tag: Halsey Beshears

Final push for fundraising before 2017 Session kicks off

‘Whiskey and Wheaties’ bill squeaks out of House panel

Mark Wilson calls House push to eliminate Enterprise Florida ‘a political conversation about ideology’

More legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020

House panel votes to kill Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Florida lawmakers support presidential candidates, but forgot to vote in primary

House passes sweeping reforms to Department of Financial Services

House, Senate bills seek broad changes to Department of Financial Services

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round