Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorApril 14, 2015

The Florida Senate has sent a growler bill to the House for consideration. The Senate approved 38-0 a revised growler bill that would allow Florida craft breweries to sell 64-ounce growlers. Current law allows the larger 1-gallon size and the smaller quart size, but not the most popular half-gallon containers. The version of the bill […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

Legislation that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed in the Florida House on Thursdaty, and will soon go to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk for him to sign. Sponsored by Fort Myers Republican REep. Heather Fitzenhagan as HB 493, SB 290 is similar but with tweaks from […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

Good morning. Greetings from Tallahassee. Among the many, many items that the Legislature worked on Wednesday was a resolution in the House condemning President Obama‘s overture to Cuba, including a mandate that the White House not even think about having a Cuban consulate anywhere inside the Sunshine State. That’s certainly not the sentiment among the […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Little debate on the Senate floor Wednesday preceded its unanimous approval of Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala‘s bill (SB 186) that would legalize 64-ounce growlers. The issue has become a cause celebre among millenials and other casual observers of the political process in Florida the past few years. Some have been flummoxed as to why the Sunshine […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

The Florida Senate Wednesday passed an adoption bill that would provide financial assistance to public employees to encourage them to adopt foster and special needs children in the Sunshine State who need parents. Sponsored by Niceville Republican Don Gaetz, the bill survived serious opposition led by Lakeland Republican Kelli Stargel, who seized on a bill provision passed in […]

James CallApril 8, 2015

The state’s top elections chief got a dressing down Wednesday from Sen. Jack Latvala. Secretary of State Ken Detzner is opposing an on-line voter registration proposal moving in the House and Senate. “We’re all for it,” said Latvala after the meeting gesturing to include members of the Transportation, Economic Development Committee. And the House is […]

Bill PrescottApril 8, 2015

Jesse Panuccio is now a step closer to remaining executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. With a 5-1 vote Wednesday, the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Committee cleared Panuccio’s nomination. Sen. Jack Latvala offered no comment when asked why he would not recommend Panuccio to remain as Florida’s economic developer in […]

Peter SchorschApril 7, 2015

Last week, the Senate Commerce Committee heard Senate Bill 742. As Sen. Nancy Detert pointed out, “ticket wars” happen session after session. The battle has traditionally been viewed as a power struggle between Ticketmaster and StubHub. This year, things have changed. Sen. Wilton Simpson amended his bill in committee and stated that with the changes, this […]

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 […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

One of several bills making tweaks to Florida’s austere prohibition on gifts, Sen. Oscar Braynon‘s SB 984 was granted an easy passage Tuesday afternoon in the Senate Governmental Oversight & Accountability Committee. The proposal — which would allow public entities to let candidates and officials use public property such as city halls and conference rooms without […]

Tag: Jack Latvala
A sign that reads, Gaza Solidarity Encampment, is seen during the Pro-Palestinians protest at the Columbia University campus in New York, Monday April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Growler bill sent to the House with add-ons

Bill allowing concealed carry during emergencies on way to governor

Mitch Perry Report for 4.9.15 — Obama to delist Cuba from terrorist list?

64-ounce growlers a step closer to fill-ups in Florida

Senate defeats proposal to ban gay adoptions

Jack Latvala calls Ken Detzner opposition to online voter registration “bullshit!”

Jesse Panuccio one step closer to staying DEO chief

Peter Schorsch: Florida ticket-buyers need consumer protection

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

Lobbyist gift ban exemption passes swiftly in Senate panel