Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 10, 2016

The House Appropriations Committee Wednesday approved a bill seeking to shift the cost of relocating utility lines for infrastructure improvements from utilities to public entities. In some cases, the costs would be absorbed by the Florida Department of Transportation. According to LobbyTools, HB 461, filed by Pensacola Republican Rep. Clay Ingram, came after an opinion […]

Guest AuthorAugust 3, 2015

Much has been written about Gov. Rick Scott’s vetoes of member projects in the recent state budget. Although every governor has vetoed parts of the budget, this time was unusual because the governor had only a very short window to make his vetoes known. Although he vetoed a lot of projects, it does raise a […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

A bill that would allow the Cabinet to give away state land on Tuesday passed its only committee stop with changes requested by environmental groups. HB 7135 would establish “low-impact agriculture” as a management goal for state lands. The bill also would allow the Cabinet to give away state parks and other state lands to […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

Rep. Matt Caldwell said Tuesday he hopes a series of amendments he filed will make his HB 7135 state lands bill acceptable to environmental opponents. The bill is scheduled to be considered at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday by the House Appropriations Committee. HB 7135 would allow the Cabinet to give away state parks and other state […]

James CallMarch 22, 2015

This week in Florida Politics we shall seek clarity. By week’s end we will know about the House and Senate’s competing budget proposals, how Sen. Rob Bradley intends to solve the Charlotte’s Web mystery, and whether service in the Confederate Army is Hall of Fame material. The highlight of a busy week comes Wednesday when both the Senate Appropriations and […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 26, 2015

Benjamin Franklin delivered the memorable line, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Were he alive today, I believe Franklin would amend his short list of inevitabilities with a declaration that Florida Republicans can solidly count on negative editorials from the Tampa Bay Times. Such is the case […]

Ryan RayFebruary 25, 2015

Republican Rep. Manny Diaz of Hialeah Gardens has filed a bill that would prevent entities who receive funding from Florida’s government from suing the state using those taxpayer dollars. The Hialeah Gardens Republican says that he is not seeking to limit access to the courts for these organizations, but rather simply seeking a commonsense accountability measure. “It […]

Tag: House Appropriations Committee

House committee approves bill shifting costs to move utility lines for infrastructure projects

Barney Bishop: State budget process needs a CBIR step again

Amended state lands bill passes committee, heads to House floor

Matt Caldwell seeks support with amendments to state lands giveaway bill

The week ahead in the Legislature

House Speaker replies to Times water bill editorial

Manny Diaz files bill to rein in state-funded litigation