Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 12, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott’s annual State of the State speech didn’t surprise lawmakers from Southwest Florida, they said Tuesday. “I think there are opportunities for success when you’re consistent, and the governor continues to be consistent with his priorities for job growth in the state of Florida,” said Sen. Garrett Richter, a Naples Republican and Senate President […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 12, 2016

Rep. Matt Caldwell raised more than $18,000 toward his re-election campaign in December, boosting his fundraising totals to more than $135,000 since September 2014. The sum is significant since Caldwell and three other Lee County lawmakers are currently running unopposed. Campaign finance reports, due to the state’s Division of Elections on Monday, show Caldwell raised […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 7, 2016

The lines have been drawn, the districts renumbered and now the chatter begins about what it all means for some lawmakers’ political futures. All of the seats will be on the ballot in 2016. Even-number districts got a two-year term; odd-number districts got a four-year term. First elected in 2010, Fort Myers Republican Sen. Lizbeth […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2015

Thank you notes will soon be arriving in the mailboxes of Floridians living in six legislative districts. Americans for Prosperity-Florida sent out mailers today to Floridians in six legislative districts to say thank you to state House and Senate members who sponsored legislation aimed at health care reform and eliminating government overreach. “We believe that […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

The last committee week before the 2016 Legislative Session means — what else — a post-Thanksgiving cornucopia of fundraisers. The Republican Party of Florida sent an email last week listing all the events, coinciding with the December committee week, the last one before session begins Jan. 12. In chronological order, here are the events, subject to change and […]

Staff ReportsNovember 18, 2015

Following an impressive performance at the Sunshine Summit in Orlando over the weekend, the Senate campaign for Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera announced the endorsements of several Southwest Florida and Tampa area state legislators Wednesday: Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano of Bradenton State Rep. Ben Albritton of Bartow State Rep. Jim Boyd of Bradenton State Rep. […]

Ryan RayNovember 2, 2015

A gaggle of Republican House members gathered outside the Capitol Monday morning to register their opposition to a bill they call the “home tax” – and to smash it in effigy. “Any time you are taking money from homeowners, it’s a tax hike,” Rep. Dennis Baxley said. “We always have to be vigilant because increased costs […]

Ryan RayOctober 21, 2015

A trio of Republican lawmakers – and one Democrat – are pursuing a measure in 2016 to boost the legal standing of firefighters who contract cancer while serving the public. Sen. Jack Latvala‘s SB 456 would create a presumption in statute that firefighters employed by the state or local governments who become ill with cancer did so in […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2015

Get your checkbooks ready: The Republican Party of Florida’s House Majority 2016 effort is highlighting a bevy of fundraisers this week in Tallahassee. The party sent an email listing all the events, coinciding with the October committee week. In chronological order, here are the events, subject to change and cancellation: State Rep. Elizabeth Porter of Lake […]

Phil AmmannAugust 24, 2015

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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. Off: Shirley Proctor is no longer administrative assistant to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. On: Joyce Butler has become the new administrative assistant for Judiciary. Off & On: Ned Luczynski has become policy chief […]

Tag: Heather Fitzenhagen

SWFL lawmakers: Few surprises in Rick Scott’s 2016 State of the State speech

Lee County lawmakers boost their re-election coffers in December

New maps may mean crowded field of Lee County state Senate hopefuls in 2020

Americans for Prosperity sends ‘thank you’ to six lawmakers

Email insights: More House GOP fundraising

Carlos Lopez-Cantera enjoys post-Sunshine Summit momentum with new endorsements

Lawmakers vow to “smash the home tax”

Jack Latvala rolls out proposal to aid stricken firefighters

Email Insights: House GOP fundraisers continue

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round