Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

On Friday, the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce (FBCW) coalition delivered a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of its Monday hearing. The letter provides information on why SB 120 by Sen. Joe Abruzzo and HB 45 by Rep. Holly Raschein must be heard in committee. Among other assertions the letter makes: Polling indicates 68 percent […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 26, 2016

A bill that would extend protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in Florida was to be debated and voted in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. However, time considerations precluded that from happening so it will come back before the same committee next week. “We’re going to dedicate up to […]

Ryan RayJanuary 26, 2016

An industry consortium supporting a bill to prohibit discrimination against workers based on sexual orientation gathered in the Capitol Tuesday morning, ahead of its first committee stop. Lawmakers joined with representatives of Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce in telling reporters the time for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Floridians to be considered equals in […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 21, 2016

The Florida Competitive Workforce Act will finally see the light of day, after what has been a long road to be heard by any committee in the Florida Legislature. Miami Republican Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla placed Senate Bill 120, sponsored by Boynton Beach Democrat Sen. Joe Abruzzo, on the schedule for his Judiciary Committee. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 21, 2016

Establishment momentum is building for the Competitive Workforce Act, with the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce signing on in support Thursday. “As Florida’s first, and only, statewide business advocacy organization concentrated on the Hispanic business community, we strongly support passing the Competitive Workforce Act,” said FSHCC President and CEO Julio Fuentes. “Hispanics have powered Florida’s […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 15, 2016

A measure that would prohibit employment, retail and other discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity has picked up a second Republican sponsor in the Florida Senate: Travis Hutson of St. Augustine. The group behind the the “Florida Competitive Workforce Act” (HB 45/SB 120) announced the move in a news release Friday. The prime sponsors […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 12, 2016

A Miami attorney filed to run for House District 120 last week, setting up a Democratic primary in the Republican-leaning district. Kevin Diaz filed his candidate paperwork on Friday and will run against retired teacher Artie Leichner in the Democratic Primary. The winner faces incumbent Key Largo Republican Rep. Holly Raschein on Election Day. Diaz earned his law […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 11, 2016

Florida Realtors have become the latest group to join the effort to modernize state law by including anti-discrimination protection based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. As real estate professionals descend upon Tallahassee to take part in the annual Great American Realtors Days on Tuesday and Wednsday, the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 5, 2016

State Sen. Jack Latvala now supports a measure that would prohibit employment, retail and other discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a Tuesday news release. Latvala, slated to become Senate Appropriations chairman next year, is the first Republican state senator to back the legislation (HB 45/SB 120), known as the “Florida Competitive Workforce […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 15, 2015

A key difference between the Senate campaigns of Rep. Ron DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera: the endorsements they roll out. DeSantis has been heavy on big national names, whereas Lopez-Cantera’s list has been heavy on local and state Republicans, as seen with Tuesday morning’s rollout of endorsements from people who arguably know him best: Republicans […]

Tag: Holly Raschein
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

State business coalition urges Senate panel to hear statewide human rights bill

Time runs out before Senate panel can vote on LGBT rights bill

Boosters laud LGBT anti-discrimination bill; Jack Latvala predicts “tough slog” to passage

After long road, Florida Competitive Workforce Act gets first Senate committee hearing

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce backs Competitive Workforce Act

Support for LGBT-protection bill grows among Legislature’s GOP members

Another Democrat, Kevin Diaz, files to challenge Holly Raschein in HD 120

Florida Realtors lends support to anti-discrimination Florida Competitive Workforce Act

Jack Latvala supports anti-LGBT discrimination bill

Carlos Lopez-Cantera rolls out big South Florida/Miami-Dade endorsements