Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 6, 2018

A proposed state-issued University of Central Florida license plate reading “2017 National Champions” is drawing the concern of some Florida lawmakers for its misrepresentation of the truth. However, after hearing lengthy debate regarding the language of the license plate provided in HB 1359, a House committee on Tuesday ultimately advanced the bill. Still, opposition to […]

Scott PowersJanuary 23, 2018

Specialty license plates supporting Orlando City Soccer and declaring the University of Central Florida Knights as the National Champions got approvals Tuesday from the Florida House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. The soccer plate was approved under House Bill 1263, seeking specialty plates for what sponsor state Rep. Mike Miller of Winter Park noted was the […]

Phil AmmannDecember 22, 2017

Thanks, but no thanks. Citing unfinished business in the Florida House, state Rep. James Grant is dismissing any talk of running for the Senate seat vacated this week by Jack Latvala, who stepped down after facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment. Grant was responding to a tweet from Peter Schorsch, who was, in turn, answering […]

Ana CeballosNovember 8, 2017

Rep. Ross Spano wants the state to create a trust fund for human trafficking victims, which would be financed by half of the punitive damages traffickers are ordered to pay in court cases. Money from the trust fund would then go to pay for human trafficking prevention programs, medical and mental health examinations and treatments […]

Phil AmmannNovember 7, 2017

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Aisha Bien-Aime is the new legislative assistant for Ocoee Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy. On: Amelia Johnson Smith is district secretary for Melbourne Republican Sen. Debbie Mayfield. On and off: Staz Guntek has replaced Joseph […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 26, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Jonathan Capps became a legislative analyst for the Senate Majority Office. Off and on: Staff director Jennifer Hrdlicka has moved from the Senate Criminal Justice to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development. Lauren Jones replaces Hrdlicka on […]

Scott PowersAugust 17, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran released his committee assignments for the 2018 Legislative Session Thursday with just a few changes from 2017, notably some freshmen getting vice chairmanships and new chairs for the Ways and Means and Commerce Committees. Corcoran’s changes in committees look more like mid-term adjustments for the two-year term, rather than the wholesale […]

Staff ReportsJuly 25, 2017

Fifty legislators received top marks from Americans for Prosperity-Florida, the largest number of A+ legislators since the organization began issuing its annual legislative scorecard. The organization released its 2017 Economic Freedom Scorecard, which graded 5,500 votes on 96 issues, on Tuesday. The scorecard showed 50 legislators — 11 senators and 39 representatives — received an […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 23, 2017

Several state lawmakers — including Reps. Scott Plakon, Neil Combee, and Randy Fine — have received messages from their constituents asking them to block Grant from running for re-election and running for Speaker during the 2022-24 term, saying the Tampa Republican has already served eight years in office and any more would be in violation of the […]

Peter SchorschJune 18, 2017

Rep. Randy Fine has officially dropped out of the Speaker’s race, telling his colleagues he would rather be a “member of a unified team than the leader of a fractured one.” In a lengthy email to his classmates Friday night, the Brevard County Republican explained why initially got into the Speaker’s race and why — […]

Tag: James Grant

Lawmakers spar over truthfulness of UCF ‘National Champions’ license plate

UCF ‘National Champions,’ Orlando City Soccer plates move along

James Grant says ‘thanks, but no thanks’ on Jack Latvala’s Senate seat

Lawmakers clash over financing for trafficking victims

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Richard Corcoran releases new committee assignments

50 Florida lawmakers earn A+ on AFP-FL scorecard

Is U.S. Term Limits coordinating a grassroots campaign against Jamie Grant?

Epilogue: Randy Fine explains to colleagues why he dropped out of Speaker’s race