Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 26, 2017

After Florida Politics’ most recent report about the mostly behind-the-scenes scrum within the Florida House GOP freshman class to determine which of its members will one day be Speaker, the conclusion was that for either Jamie Grant or Frank White to win, one of them would have to drop out of the race quickly. Not much sooner after this was […]

Peter SchorschMay 25, 2017

Rep. Joe Gruters is backing Rep. Paul Renner to be House Speaker in 2022-24. The Sarasota Republican said while he thinks everyone in the running for the position would do a great job, he felt Renner is the best person at this time. Gruters said he’s decided to make his position known because he didn’t want […]

Peter SchorschMay 21, 2017

Freshman House Republicans are inching closer to picking their leader, holding a weekend caucus meeting to hear from candidates. A majority of GOP freshmen met this weekend at a Central Florida law firm to discuss the 2022 Speaker’s Race. The meeting, which was first reported by Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida, comes about a week after […]

Mitch PerryMay 19, 2017

As House Minority Leader Janet Cruz notes, the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation works “as a united front” when representing their community in Tallahassee. That’s true on issues like the eleventh-hour move by the Florida Senate to push the University of South Florida out of pre-eminent status under a conformity education budget bill that passed in the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 10, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Tuesday a bill that creates statewide regulations for ride-booking companies, like Uber and Lyft. “I’m proud to sign this legislation today to make it easier for ridesharing companies to thrive in Florida and help ensure the safety of our families,” said Scott in a statement. “Florida is one of […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2017

Even after meeting dozens of times throughout the 2017 Legislative Session, the House GOP freshman caucus failed to adopt new rules on how to pick a leader. A caucus to ratify rules — drafted by Reps. Ralph Massullo and Michael Grant — to guide the freshman class’s decision-making process met Friday during a break in the […]

Mitch PerryMay 4, 2017

Legislation that would effectively kill the controversial Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (HB 647) passed in the Florida House on Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Tampa Bay Republican Jamie Grant, was first introduced as a local bill at the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation meeting last December. Although the PTC has reaped a slew of negative news stories over the […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

An updated draft of rules governing the election of the Republican’s freshman caucus leader — and eventual Speaker of the House — moves up the organizational meeting and stipulates a member found in violation of Republican conference rules would be ineligible for consideration. Reps. Ralph Massullo and Michael Grant have been tasked with writing draft […]

Mitch PerryApril 19, 2017

After years of intense debate, the Florida Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to create statewide regulations for transportation network companies. The measure (HB 221) cleared the upper chamber on a 36-1 vote. The bill now heads to Gov. Rick Scott for his consideration. “Today we sent a strong message that Florida embraces transportation innovation. The […]

Mitch PerryApril 18, 2017

Legislation creating a statewide regulatory framework for ridesharing companies was debated Tuesday on the Senate floor. Sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, SB 340 would require ride-sharing companies to carry $100,000 of insurance for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage while a driver is logged onto their app but hasn’t secured a passenger. […]

Tag: Jamie Grant
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

With Frank White out of Speaker’s race is Northeast Florida ready to rally to one of its own?

Joe Gruters makes his pick for House Speaker

Speaker’s race heads toward June 30 vote after weekend meeting

Hillsborough state legislators clash in Tampa Chamber Session review

Governor signs landmark ride-sharing legislation into law

House GOP freshmen fail to adopt rules for Speaker’s race, putting leadership battle into chaos

It’s the end of the road for the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission

Newest draft rules governing 2022 Speaker race: Members not eligible for nomination if they violate GOP conference rules

After four years of debate, bill regulating ride-sharing companies will go to Rick Scott’s desk

Ridesharing bill advances to final vote in Senate