Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallApril 14, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes has never been shy about his dislike of red-light cameras. Last year, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability released a stinging report on how local governments use the cameras. In response, Brandes filed legislation to rein in their use. “There are perverse incentives inherent in the red-light camera program,” […]

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2015

Greetings this Monday morning from the Parkway Inn Motel in Miami Springs, right off of Miami International Airport. And when I mean “right off,” I mean I thought a 747 was going to land on my roof last night. Yes, I’m here today for Marco Rubio‘s big announcement Monday evening, where he’s expected to announce […]

Bruce RitchieApril 10, 2015

With a solar energy constitutional amendment proposed for the 2016 ballot, a pair of bills designed to provide tax savings for residents who install solar on their homes appears dead in the 2015 Legislative Session. SB 400 by Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg, would provide a ballot measure to extend a residential property […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 9, 2015

Florida-State-Rep.-Jason-Brodeur-638x425-1024x1024.jpg

At the final regularly scheduled meeting of the 2015 session for his committee, House Health & Human Services Committee Chairman Jason Brodeur dropped a bomb. He announced that the chamber next year would tackle some of the thorniest issues in health care: certificate of need (CON), insurance mandates and medical malpractice. The news puts most […]

James CallApril 9, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes sees an opportunity to expand the low-THC Charlotte’s Web glitch bill now moving through the Legislature. SPB 7066, up in the Rules Committee Thursday, increases the number of licenses to cultivate medicinal marijuana but restrict the illnesses treated and strains of marijuana doctors are authorized to order for their patients. Brandes sponsored […]

Phil AmmannApril 8, 2015

The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) recognized six Florida lawmakers this week for their efforts helping individuals and families touched by epilepsy. The EFOF “Champions of the Heart” are state Sens. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, Rene Garcia of Hialeah and Denise Grimsley from Sebring, and Reps. Katie Edwards of Plantation, Matt Gaetz of Shalimar and Matt Hudson from […]

Ryan RayApril 6, 2015

The pro-business political action committee Americans for Prosperity — Florida continues to make waves this Session as it prepares to distribute mailers to a handful of legislators thanking them for their advocacy on charter school expansion. The move to gain good will among members of the Florida GOP majority serves as the carrot to AFP’s punitive stick, […]

James CallApril 4, 2015

Momma bears. It’s taking the momma bears to end the reefer madness. Paige Figi, Holley Moseley and Dawn Wein are among a group of women who worked the Florida Capitol the past year persuading, pressuring and pleading with lawmakers to lift a prohibition on medical marijuana and authorize the use of cannabis products they say will ease their children’s […]

James CallApril 4, 2015

Momma bears. It’s taking the momma bears to end the reefer madness. Paige Figi, Holley Moseley and Dawn Wein are among a group of women who worked the Florida Capitol the past year persuading, pressuring and pleading with lawmakers to lift a prohibition on medical marijuana and authorize the use of cannabis products they say will ease their children’s […]

Ryan RayApril 1, 2015

Though ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are getting most of the ink these days, you’d be a fool to sleep on the short-term rental aspect of the new so-called sharing economy. Companies like industry leader Airbnb are challenging zoning rules, raising the ire of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and raising questions about fundamental property rights. Such a complex issue […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes
Image via Rick Scott Senate office.

Jeff Brandes makes another run at red-light cameras

Mitch Perry Report for 4.13.15 — Could Jeff Atwater’s decision affect next year’s CD13 race?

Solar bills falter in Legislature while ballot initiative rolls on

House will tackle certificate of need, malpractice in 2016, Jason Brodeur says

Five minutes with Jeff Brandes on the Charlotte’s Web “glitch” bill

State lawmakers honored as epilepsy “Champions of the Heart”

Americans for Prosperity sends mid-Session mailers thanking supportive lawmakers

"Momma bears" roam Florida Capitol seeking medical marijuana for their cubs

“Momma bears” roam Florida Capitol seeking medical marijuana for their cubs

Southern Strategy Group lands short-term rentals giant Airbnb