Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2018

Rep. Kathleen Peters‘ attempt to amend an House ethics reform bill resulted in virtual fireworks Thursday, with a prominent lobbyist saying Peters was targeting him and a lawmaker bemoaning “political gymnastics” that temporarily gummed up the measure. One of Peters’ amendments would have banned sitting lawmakers and their immediate family members from working for lobbying firms. The […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 30, 2018

The Senate Regulated Industries Committee narrowly voted in favor of a bill Tuesday that aims to put franchisees on a level playing field with their franchisor. SB 1076, known as the “Small Business Parity Act,” would shield business owners from restrictions on selling their franchises or passing them on to an heir, and would give […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 27, 2018

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Friday it’s now conducting an “active” criminal investigation into former Sen. Jack Latvala‘s sexual misconduct. “Regarding Senator Latvala, FDLE’s Office of Executive Investigations is now conducting an active investigation,” the state agency’s spokeswoman Jessica Cary said. Cary said she could not provide additional details on the investigation. The […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 24, 2018

A controversial bill that opponents call “union busting” was denounced in a conference call just hours before it was scheduled to be debated in the Florida House of Representatives later this week. The proposal by Longwood Republican Scott Plakon (HB 25) has been introduced for several years now without success in the Legislature. After passing the House […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 18, 2018

Prompted by a series of sex scandals that enveloped several senators, the Florida Senate on Thursday rolled out new guidelines on how to handle sexual harassment in the workplace. The new employee code of conduct cites “patting, pinching, or intentionally brushing against an individual’s body,” unwelcome kissing or hugging as part of a greeting — […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 18, 2018

There will not be special elections to replace two Florida lawmakers, Gov. Rick Scott said in a press gaggle Thursday. Scott said that “we have listened to the Supervisors of Elections” and “we’re going to follow their lead.” The two legislators: Villages Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, an HD 33 Republican who passed away in December; and Clearwater Republican […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 17, 2018

Boom! That sound you heard emanating from the western side of the Tampa Bay area wasn’t a sonic blast, or the exhaust fumes from an unidentified flying object. But if you’re still searching for answers to why your windows rattled this morning, check out the University of South Florida St. Petersburg – or, as that […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

Former state Sen. Jack Latvala, who is sitting on nearly $4 million in political committee money and another $600,00 in the campaign fund for his going-nowhere bid for Florida governor, said Tuesday his unused campaign money will be returned to donors if he closes down that campaign, and he’ll decide next week what he intends […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 16, 2018

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Former Sen. Jack Latvala sent sexually explicit text messages and groped a Senate legislative aide with whom he had a 20-year relationship with, according to a Miami Herald report published Tuesday. Laura McLeod, an aide to Sen. Lauren Book, is the latest to publicly accuse Latvala of sexual misconduct. Her interactions with the Republican is […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2018

When Dunedin-based Democrat Bernie Fensterwald III entered the local political scene two years ago, there was significant attention paid to his personal finances after documents showed he was worth $19.8 million. Criticism ultimately followed after he lost his challenge to Republican Chris Sprowls in the House District 65 seat, spending just $35,000 in the race, […]

Tag: Jack Latvala

‘Political gymnastics’: House panel kills Kathleen Peters’ ethics proposals

Franchisee bill squeaks by first Senate panel

FDLE: Jack Latvala criminal investigation is now ‘active’

Labor slams Scott Plakon ‘union busting’ House bill

Senate announces new policy on sexual, workplace harassment

No special election for Jack Latvala seat, declares governor

Joe Henderson: Legislature move on USF could leave St. Pete rattled

Jack Latvala mulling what to do with $4.5 million of political money

Jack Latvala’s latest accuser remembers thinking: ‘I’m trapped again’

Bernie Fensterwald: Democrat wants to be true ‘citizen legislator’