Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 31, 2015

A ride-sharing insurance requirements bill that goes hand in hand with a broader effort to pass legislation permitting Uber across Florida made progress today, passing quickly and unanimously through the Senate Judiciary Committee early Tuesday evening. The proposal — SB 1298 — sponsored by Altamonte Springs Sen. David Simmons requires that app-based “transportation network companies” such as […]

Mitch PerryMarch 31, 2015

With his role as the legislative chair of the Florida Sheriffs Association, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is in Tallahassee a lot these days, arguing for or against bills regarding law enforcement. His agency gets a lot of respect from lawmakers, but the FSA doesn’t always get its way. That happened late Monday afternoon, when St. Petersburg […]

Mitch PerryMarch 31, 2015

With his role as the legislative chair of the Florida Sheriffs Association, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is in Tallahassee a lot these days, arguing for or against bills regarding law enforcement. His agency gets a lot of respect from lawmakers, but the FSA doesn’t always get its way. That happened late Monday afternoon, when St. Petersburg […]

Mitch PerryMarch 27, 2015

Florida’s relaxed rules regarding who can use a gun have led to critics call it “Gunshine State.” And that was before this year’s Legislative Session got underway. Current proposals before state lawmakers this spring include a proposal that would allow college students to carry concealed weapons on campus. They’re also considering arming public school personnel to help […]

Mitch PerryMarch 26, 2015

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With a Republican governor and overwhelmingly GOP-led Legislature, Florida is being well served by its legislators in Tallahassee, right? Not exactly. A new Public Policy Polling survey released Thursday shows that 58 percent of Florida voters want Medicaid expansion. Independents support it by 57 percent, while there is a 12-point difference among Republicans (33/45). Despite […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 26, 2015

The Florida Senate has not placed a $1.25 million appropriation for Bus Rapid Transit in St. Pete in its budget. The funding would have paid for a BRT pilot program with express bus service running from downtown St. Pete to St. Pete Beach along First Avenues North and South. According to Clearwater Senator Jack Latvala […]

Ryan RayMarch 25, 2015

Republicans Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Shalimar Rep. Matt Gaetz held a joint conference with representatives from Uber Technologies late Wednesday morning. Their message: Uber is here to stay in Florida’s streets and in state statute. “On the other side of this issue, though,” Brandes said, “you’ve got municipalities who, be it through crony capitalism or […]

Ryan RayMarch 25, 2015

Republicans Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Shalimar Rep. Matt Gaetz held a joint conference with representatives from Uber Technologies late Wednesday morning. Their message: Uber is here to stay in Florida’s streets and in state statute. “On the other side of this issue, though,” Brandes said, “you’ve got municipalities who, be it through crony capitalism or […]

James CallMarch 24, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz proclaimed in February that “no tax is safe” and Tuesday he released a $690 million tax-cutting plan that moves the House budget plan further away from the Senate’s version. Gaetz wants to enact two tax cuts, create four tax credits, implement 10 sales tax exemptions and schedule a back-to-school tax holiday. The Senate will […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

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Last year, a proposal in Tallahassee that would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a license while evacuating an emergency was met with resistance from law enforcement, and didn’t come to pass. After bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes made some tweaks this year, though, the Florida Sheriffs Association endorsed it, and that seemed […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

Uber bill cruises through Senate panel, will see amendment in Appropriations

Mitch Perry Report for 3.31.15 — Jeff Brandes’ civil forfeiture bill advances

Mitch Perry Report for 3.31.15 — Jeff Brandes' civil forfeiture bill advances

New survey says most Floridians oppose guns on campuses bill

New survey: Most Floridians like Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana, same-sex marriage

Could Senate budget be a referendum on PSTA CEO Brad Miller?

Jeff Brandes, Matt Gaetz make case for “inevitable” Uber, as cabbies picket

Jeff Brandes, Matt Gaetz make case for "inevitable" Uber, as cabbies picket

The day that was in Florida politics — March 24

Senate OKs gun bill allowing concealed carry during emergencies