Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2018

Winter Springs Republican David Smith boosted his campaign for Florida House District 28 with more than $21,000 in January, including another $10,000 of his own money he used to match the first $10,000 in outside donations to his campaign during the month. With the $21,187 the campaign drew in total during January, Smith’s campaign now […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2018

Four times, lawmakers on Monday gave the state’s top medical marijuana regulator an opportunity to speak on their objections to rules and regulations on the drug. And four times, Christian Bax said nothing because it wasn’t yet time to do so, he later explained. “The department has 30 days in order to respond,” Bax, director of […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2018

Rep. Jason Brodeur is telling the state’s top health officials to get to work on medical marijuana—or they won’t get paid. The Sanford Republican has offered an amendment to the House’s 2018-19 budget proposal that would freeze more than $1.9 million in salaries and benefits for the Department of Health‘s brass, including Secretary and state Surgeon General Celeste […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2018

A Senate bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation cleared its last committee this week, making it available for the floor. But there are still big ‘if’s that could blow up the gambling exclusivity deal, known as the Seminole Compact, between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Here’s the staff analysis: […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 26, 2018

For the last couple of years, budget talks have seemed to put House leadership in the driver’s seat on instituting new reforms, with the Senate reacting defensively. So it was a breath of fresh air to see the two chambers heading in the same direction, toward positive change on funding for charity care provided by […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

The House panel charged with handling gambling issues unanimously OK’d a bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation. The House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee cleared the measure (HB 223) with little debate on Tuesday. One representative, Republican Randy Fine of Brevard County, voted for the bill despite his belief that fantasy sports play was […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 5, 2018

New legislation from state Sen. Dana Young aims to “crack down on for-profit stem-cell clinics that are preying on Florida seniors and other vulnerable Floridians,” her office said Friday. The Tampa Republican’s measure (SB 1508) relates to “use of stem cells in a clinic setting.” It would require stem-cell clinics to: — Register with the Department of Health (DOH). […]

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2017

Republican state Rep. Jason Brodeur continues to rake in campaign finance money for his 2020 bid for the Florida Senate, raising $19,229 for his official campaign and another $35,000 for his independent political committee in November. Brodeur, of Sanford, leads all Central Florida state Senate candidates even though the election he’s shooting for is three […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s top in-house lawyer told lawmakers this week that their fantasy sports bills are a dealbreaker. A $200 million dealbreaker. The Tribe now says fantasy sports bills filed for the 2018 Legislative Session, if passed, would violate the Seminole Compact. That’s the gambling agreement struck by the state and the Seminoles […]

Tag: Jason Brodeur
John Labriola lost his longtime Miami-Dade County job after refusing to take part in anti-discrimination training. Image via X.

David Smith brings $21K, including his $10K match, into his HD 28 campaign

Medical marijuana regulator’s silence vexes lawmakers

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

Jason Brodeur to Health Dep’t: No pay till progress on marijuana

Despite Seminole concerns, fantasy sports bill ready in Senate

Props to Senate for ending enhanced payments to hand-picked hospitals

Fantasy sports bill moves along in House

Dana Young files bill to protect seniors from stem-cell clinics

Jason Brodeur continues to rake in cash for 2020 Senate bid

Seminole Tribe fires warning letter to Legislature over fantasy sports