Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

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State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, the Florida House of Representatives’ point man on gambling, said Thursday said the Senate’s current version of the Seminole Compact and accompanying gambling overhaul is “too much” for his tastes – and that of his membership. “There’s a lot of extra slot parlors in the Senate bill,” said Diaz, the […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 16, 2016

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As the Legislature continues debating a new Seminole Compact, the issue of decoupling has once again moved to the forefront. Publicly, one of the chief opponents of decoupling — which removes live race requirements for facilities to host slots and card rooms at pari-mutuels — is the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (FTBOA). However, in the backrooms of Tallahassee, the FTBOA […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2016

The Florida Senate and House of Representatives on Friday filed their gambling legislation for the 2016 Legislative Session, including the $3 billion Seminole Compact, a proposed “voter control of gambling expansion” amendment and two different rewrites of the state’s gambling code. The Senate’s version, posted at 4:29 p.m., is 81 pages and the House’s is 102 pages. There […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2016

A version of “Storage Wars” came to the Capitol this week as one bill that would change the law governing self-storage facilities and involve Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater got jammed up in committee. The measure (SB 720) is stalled in the Senate after being postponed in the Regulated Industries Committee. But its House companion (HB 559) could be heard on […]

Bruce RitchieApril 27, 2015

A bill that would allow Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the shutdown of its Crystal River nuclear plant isn’t necessarily doomed in the House because of bill changes made by the Senate on Friday, a leading House supporter said. HB 7109 allows Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the $1.4 billion nuclear […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

The Florida House on Tuesday voted down bill amendments that would have repealed or scaled back a 2006 state law that allows utilities to charge in advance for nuclear power plants that may never be built. HB 7109 is a bill that establishes term limits for Public Service Commission members and provides for Duke Energy […]

Bruce RitchieApril 10, 2015

A group of large power customers says that if proposed legislation involving Duke Energy Florida is going to save customers money, then that language should be put in the bill. HB 7109 was amended on Thursday to provide the Florida Public Service Commission with authority to approve bonds that could be issued by Duke to […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

A Senate committee on Tuesday OK’d a bill amendment to provide for financing the shutdown of the Crystal River nuclear plant to save Duke Energy Florida customers more than $600 million. SB 288 was a bill that primarily strengthened ethics requirements for the Florida Public Service Commission. But Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican and […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 31, 2015

A House bill dealing with the utility regulation process is continuing to move in the House despite criticism from environmentalists that the bill doesn’t far enough to deal with energy issues. HB 7109 would set term limits for PSC members, require those who lobby the PSC to register with the state, require parties in a […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 31, 2015

A House bill dealing with the utility regulation process is continuing to move in the House despite criticism from environmentalists that the bill doesn’t far enough to deal with energy issues. HB 7109 would set term limits for PSC members, require those who lobby the PSC to register with the state, require parties in a […]

Tag: House Regulatory Affairs Committee

Jose Felix Diaz says House would “riot” over Senate gambling legislation

During Seminole Compact debate, lawmaker uncovers obscure sweetheart deal for Thoroughbred Breeders group

Legislature files gambling bills, including Seminole Compact

Bill would put Jeff Atwater at center of Capitol’s “Storage Wars”

Duke Energy bill not doomed by Senate changes, key House supporter says

Democrats’ amendments repealing nuclear fees voted down

“Trust but verify” on Duke Energy deal, industrial power customers say

Panel OK’s Duke Energy deal; Jack Latvala says he couldn’t “find holes” in it

PSC bill moving in House despite complaint it doesn’t do enough

PSC bill moving in House despite complaint it doesn't do enough