Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonMarch 15, 2018

Tobacco Free Florida is working. The number of Floridians using tobacco has declined dramatically. As Jim Rosica reported for Florida Politics, former state Attorney General Bob Butterworth said the number of high school students using tobacco has dropped to 4.2 percent. It was at more than 27 percent two decades ago when Tobacco Free Florida […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2018

If passed, a proposed constitutional amendment to redirect dollars from tobacco-prevention efforts to cancer research would turn “a bad idea into a hard reality,” one opponent said Wednesday morning. Later that same day, however, the amendment’s sponsor deleted the section about cancer research funding. Longtime Tallahassee PR man Ron Sachs joined former Attorney General Bob Butterworth […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

On Wednesday, Sen. Marco Rubio introduced two bills that would make daylight savings time permanent. One bill, the Sunshine Protection Act, would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country. Meanwhile, his Sunshine State Act would give Florida federal approval to establish permanent DST within its boundaries. “Last week, Florida’s legislature overwhelmingly voted for permanent […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

A much-debated bill that would ban all marriages under the age of 17 passed the Legislature Friday; it now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman for Scott said the governor “intends to sign” the bill (SB 140). The vote in the House on the Senate bill was 109-1, with the only ‘no’ vote cast by Republican […]

Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2018

After an hours-long floor session, in which a series of Democratic attempts to change a controversial school safety bill failed, the Republican-controlled House on Tuesday readied the proposal for a final vote. Before that could happen, dozens of amendments sponsored by Democrats were killed. One by Rep. Jared Moskowitz would have removed a ‘guardian program’ […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2018

The House spent three hours just on questions on a contentious $400 million school safety proposal passed by the Senate on Monday. House members took up the bill (SB 7026) Tuesday, with Democrats peppering Speaker-designate José Oliva with questions, many of them duplicative. “Asked and answered,” Speaker pro tempore Jeanette Nuñez said several times. She was in […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 21, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran told a group of Marjory Stoneman Douglas students Wednesday “how guns are treated is absolutely on the table” for bills that are in the works. Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican, and other House members met with dozens of teens who attend the Broward County high school in a midday meeting […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 14, 2018

Moving away from an outright ban on all underage marriages, the Florida House on Wednesday sent the Senate a proposal that would allow certain minors to wed in cases when there is a pregnancy. “I believe this bill will put Florida in the forefront of putting [a] safeguard in place and protecting children,” said state […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 13, 2018

There’s a rift between the Florida House and Senate over a bill that could ban outright all marriages for minors in the state, and that will become more pronounced on Wednesday when the lower chamber takes up the matter. House members will consider the child marriage bill (SB 140) passed by the Senate, but with […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 1, 2018

A proposed change to a House bill that would have made it legal for some adults to have sex with children as young as 14 was tossed on Thursday after it drew criticism from a top senator. But a House panel still pushed forward a proposal that would allow certain minors to wed, moving away […]

Tag: Jeanette Nunez
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Joe Henderson: Leave Tobacco Free Florida funding alone

Advocates rally to save Tobacco Free Florida funding

Marco Rubio introduces bills to make daylight savings time permanent

Lawmakers pass ban on minors marrying — but exclude 17-year-olds

After marathon floor session, House poised to approve school safety bill

House begins deliberations on post-Parkland measure

Richard Corcoran to teens: Gun legislation ‘on the table’

House passes bill that would allow certain minors to wed

Jeanette Nunez seeks to amend Senate bill that bans all child marriages

House alters child marriage bill to allow some minors to wed