Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonOctober 20, 2015

A bill that would create a program recognizing businesses that hire or support disabled workers cleared its first Senate committee stop Tuesday by a unanimous vote. SB 388 directs the Department of Economic Opportunity to work with CareerSource Florida to develop the Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, chaired by the bill’s sponsor, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 19, 2015

State Sen. Bill Galvano, who chairs his chamber’s redistricting panel, on Monday said sitting senators may not have to stand for re-election even if their districts change because of the current effort to reapportion the state Senate. Galvano, a lawyer and Bradenton Republican, spoke on the floor of the Senate during the first day of the Special Session […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

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Republican Sens. Jack Latvala and Joe Negron may have posted big-time fundraising numbers in September but they weren’t the only Senate Republicans raking in contributions. The political committee supporting Bradenton Republican Sen. Bill Galvano for Senate President brought in $207,500, its best fundraising performance since February, and it took only 10 contributions to hit that […]

Ryan RayOctober 7, 2015

Department of Economic Opportunity head Jesse Panuccio faced a battery of pointed questions and criticism over an executive branch battle with a labor group and the state’s beleaguered unemployment system in a Wednesday meeting of a Senate budget panel. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Tourism, Transportation and Economic Development Chairman Jack Latvala had originally requested the presence […]

Ryan RayOctober 5, 2015

The Senate’s committee on Commerce & Tourism has advanced legislation to prevent companies for asking employees for their Facebook or Twitter passwords. The panel on Monday approved SB 186 sponsored by Lake Worth Sen. Jeff Clemens, which explicit prohibits employers from requiring access to the private social media accounts of workers or prospective hires. “The issue is, you’re putting […]

Phil AmmannOctober 5, 2015

State Sen. Jack Latvala will be the special guest at a fundraiser for Republican business executive Gary Price to support his bid for Senate District 23. Price, who served a decade as Naples City Councilman, is seeking to succeed the term-limited Garrett Richter for the Republican-leaning seat covering southern and central Lee and northwestern Collier […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2015

Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz built a sizable war chest for his Senate District 1 campaign over the last two years, but that advantage evaporated after challenger George Gainer cut a $500,000 check to his own campaign. The Bay County commissioner filed for the seat on Sept. 8 after months of rumors he would enter the […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2015

Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala may have been the big winner in August fundraising, but Joe Negron bounced back in September, bringing in more than $500,000 through the committee supporting his bid for the senate presidency. The unofficial tally shows Treasure Coast Alliance with $515,050 in contributions and $13,409 in expenditures, leaving the Stuart Republican […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 30, 2015

2015 was supposed to be the year that the Florida Legislature authorized funding to replenish its depleted film tax incentives package, allowing the Sunshine State to compete with Louisiana, Georgia and other Southeastern states in getting its fair share of movie and television production work. It didn’t happen. Despite the reshaping of the incentives and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 24, 2015

There’s no question that over the past two decades that Florida has become one of the biggest swing-states in the nation that can ultimately determine who our next president is. It may not be the swing-state (arguably you could call Ohio the ultimate swing-state), but it’s crucially important, especially for the Republican Party. Like political […]

Tag: Jack Latvala
State Sen. Vic Torres at U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost event before the collapse. Photo via Jacob Ogles.

Bill to recognize businesses who support disabled workers clears first hurdle

Bill Galvano: No new elections for senators whose districts change

Senate Republican committees post major fundraising numbers

Jack Latvala, Senate budget panel clash with DEO chief on unemployment

Social media privacy bill advances in Senate

Jack Latvala headlining Gary Price SD 23 fundraiser on Oct. 12

Matt Gaetz SD 1 money lead evaporates after opponent cuts $500K check

In race for Senate presidency, Joe Negron bounces back in September fundraising

Mitch Perry Report for 9.30.15 – Ybor and Florida lose out to Georgia in Hollywood production

Mitch Perry Report for 9.24.15 – Will the RPOF gamble on having a meaningful primary election?