Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 15, 2017

Although modest in scope, Tampa Bay area lawmakers and business officials are happy that Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation (SB 1672) they believe is the first step toward creating a regional network to push for transit. The bill changes the actual title of TBARTA. It will now be the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (it used […]

Staff ReportsJune 13, 2017

A top supporter of Rep. Ron DeSantis has contributed $500,000 to a state-level political committee that could be used to help fund a gubernatorial bid. POLITICO Florida reported that Frederick Sontag contributed $500,000 to Fund for Florida’s Future, a state-level political committee, on May 5. The committee, which was required to report all contributions it […]

Mitch PerryJune 13, 2017

Democrat Bernie Fensterwald, a Dunedin retiree who lost a challenge to Chris Sprowls in the House District 65 race in North Pinellas County last November by more than 30 percentage points, has filed once again to run for the Legislature. This time Fensterwald is gunning for the state Senate District 16 seat in north Pinellas being […]

Staff ReportsJune 12, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala raised more than $47,800 in about 20 days in May. Florida Leadership Committee, the Clearwater Republican’s political committee, raised at least $47,891 between May 10 and May 31, according to contribution data posted to the committee’s website. The Division of Elections’ deadline for reporting May numbers is Monday. Florida Leadership Committee hadn’t […]

Michael MolineJune 8, 2017

The Senate’s versions of legislation pumping money into public schools, hospitals, Enterprise Florida, and Visit Florida — and establishing a regulatory framework for medical marijuana — cleared the Appropriations Committee Thursday. The votes — either unanimous or nearly so — sent the measures to the Senate floor. They also augured confrontations with the House involving […]

Joe HendersonJune 7, 2017

As the special session of the Legislature was set to begin Wednesday, everyone heard of how the compromise deal that appeared to be the framework for a budget agreement was close to collapse. Humm. It brought Senate President Joe Negron into sharp focus, since he seems to be the one leading the charge to turn the […]

Jim RosicaJune 6, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala is telling fellow senators that funding bills planned for this week’s Special Session will be subject to the state’s constitutionally-mandated “cooling off” period. That potentially means, if the bills are changed, that lawmakers could be stuck in Tallahassee past Friday, when the session is scheduled to end. The Clearwater Republican, who chairs […]

Jim RosicaJune 6, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron, in advance of the Legislature’s 3-day Special Session this week, told members in a Tuesday memo he expects “a proposal to override the veto of some university and higher education funding.” The Stuart Republican also left the door open for medical marijuana implementation to be added to the call, saying he […]

Joe HendersonJune 5, 2017

After the budget compromise reached by Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the biggest question hanging over the Legislature’s three-day special session this week is whether there is enough time for some lawmakers to grow a backbone. Only one of two things can happen. There will either be a […]

Peter SchorschMay 31, 2017

Summer is here — well, unofficially at least. And with it comes cookouts, summer vacations, and the start of the 2018 election cycle (again, unofficially). With a tumultuous legislative session in our rearview mirror and a jam-packed election cycle on the horizon, the answers to these 14 questions (plus a fill-in-the-blank) could shape the future of […]

Tag: Jack Latvala
DeSantis calls the National Guard to protect Florida ports. Image via @GovRonDeSantis/X.

With law now in place, Tampa Bay region moves closer to regional transit

Report: Top Ron DeSantis supporter contributes $500K to state political committee

Democrat Bernie Fensterwald taking second shot at going to Tallahassee

Jack Latvala raises more than $47K in May

Budget panel sends schools, economic development, Medicaid bills to the floor

Joe Henderson: When a quid pro quo turns into quid pro no, all bets are off

Jack Latvala: ‘Cooling-off’ period applies to Special Session bills

Joe Negron: Senate will consider veto overrides

Joe Henderson: Tallahassee gets special session, the public gets the bill

15 big questions facing Florida politics heading into summer