Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Guest AuthorJune 18, 2018

It’s good when a Florida business can partner with a huge corporation on a project that will revive a struggling community. So, it’s particularly distressing when the corporation acts like a bully, pushing aside the interests of its smaller partner — and the entire community — so it can grab a bigger profit for itself. […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 5, 2018

The grades are in, and from the perspective of those pushing for a more fertile business climate in the Sunshine State, the Legislature is getting better — but there’s still work to be done. Each year the Florida Chamber grades state legislators after tabulating votes on measures backed by the pro-business group. The 2018 Legislative […]

Drew WilsonMarch 21, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday signed a bill that would put to rest years of legal and regulatory fights over the state’s trauma center system. HB 1165, sponsored by Panama City Republican Rep. Jay Trumbull, in part aims to stem the flow of litigation against the state’s Department of Health, charged with reviewing the need […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 7, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill by Sarasota Sen. Greg Steube, SB 1168, that the Consumer Protection Coalition said would “do little to protect consumers” from Assignment of Benefits abuse. The group said it prefers HB 7015 by Rep. Jay Trumbull, which includes modifications to one-way attorney fees which proponents say […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 29, 2018

A House bill that would do away with the limit on the number of trauma centers in Florida unanimously cleared its first committee Monday. The bill (HB 1165), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Jay Trumbull of Panama City, was OK’d on a 15-0 vote in the Health Quality Subcommittee. The statewide total of trauma centers is […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 18, 2018

Florida voters aren’t fans of Assignment of Benefits rules and are looking for a change according to a new poll conducted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Assignment of Benefits, or AOB, allows homeowners to sign over their insurance policy rights to third-party contractors who will make necessary repairs to damaged homes and then deal […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 17, 2017

A select group of lawmakers will be focused on specific, hurricane-related policy recommendations over the next two weeks. Each member of the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness on Friday was assigned a specific area of focus. Chair Jeanette Nuñez, a Miami Republican, grouped the issues into categories following the five educational meetings held […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2017

House assignment of benefits (AOB) legislation cleared its sole committee Tuesday and appears headed to the floor, despite reservations about its limits on attorney fees and lack of language directly sanctioning insurance fraud. Judiciary Committee members also expressed skepticism about insurers pressing policyholders to accept their preferred vendors before approving the bill (PCB JDC 18-01) […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2017

On Thursday, the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness heard about issues affecting Florida during Irma, including petroleum supplies and electric utilities. This informational meeting set the table for the future of the committee, with no action items Thursday. Wes Maul, the interim director of the Division of Emergency Management, addressed fuel shortages. […]

Tag: Jay Trumbull
Ashlee Gomez, Maya Smith and Kailyn Thompson headlined the Impressions of Beauty Black Girls Matter Meetup Brunch. Image via FAMU.

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

John Thomas: Duke Energy should keep its promise to Polk County

Honor roll: State legislators receive high marks from Florida Chamber

Rick Scott signs trauma center bill

Capitol reax: AOB, Publix PrEP, campus ‘free speech,’ criminal justice, Rick Scott

Trauma center legislation begins its annual trek

Florida voters want to reform AOB system, Chamber poll finds

Focus areas doled out for hurricane committee

House AOB package clears committee despite some qualms

House hurricane committee mulls what went wrong during, after Irma