Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

On Monday, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Florida Cannabis Action Network was now “developing a 2016 voter initiative to legalize marijuana, based on the likelihood that the Florida Legislature will be unwilling to create a comprehensive medical-only program in coming weeks.” Uh, not exactly, says FCAN executive director Jodi James. “The ballot initiative idea […]

Phil AmmannMarch 10, 2015

Red-light cameras appear to have little or no effect on safety in many areas in Florida, according to a new report by WTSP 10 Investigates. But the state failed to include that information in its annual review of the program. Most of Florida cities and counties with the controversial RLC-monitored intersections have reported crash statistics […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 10, 2015

A bill that would place a renewable energy tax exemption amendment on the ballot in 2016 passed their its committee stop on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Americans for Prosperity-Florida held a press conference to its opposition to a different proposed amendment dealing with solar energy. SB 400, from St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes, would extend a residential […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 10, 2015

A bill that would place a renewable energy tax exemption amendment on the ballot in 2016 passed their its committee stop on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Americans for Prosperity-Florida held a press conference to its opposition to a different proposed amendment dealing with solar energy. SB 400, from St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes, would extend a residential […]

Peter SchorschMarch 10, 2015

Ed Montanari, one of St. Petersburg’s most involved and respected citizen leaders, will announce next month he’s running for the District 2 seat on the City Council, according to those close to the plain-spoken, razor-sharp airline pilot. Bill Dudley, term-limited from running again, now represents the northeast St. Petersburg district. In 2007, Dudley upset the better-financed Montanari […]

Ryan RayMarch 10, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz successfully steered legislation to formally legalize “transportation network services” like Uber through the House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee on Tuesday. Debate on the bill – heated at times – lasted about an hour and featured an unusual aspect identified by committee Chairman Tom Rooney: “This has got to be the first bill in five years that I’ve […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2015

Red-light Cameras (RLC) caught violations by nearly one million Floridians last year, creating quite the revenue stream for municipalities across the state, according to a new report Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. As reported by Lloyd Dunkelberger of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, of 941,000 violations issued to motorists, a majority of them (648,000) […]

James CallMarch 6, 2015

At the end of the first week of the 2015 Legislative Session, the Capitol City’s newspaper printed an editorial cartoon that compared lobbyists to great white sharks. The cartoon asks which species pose a greater threat to Floridians; paid advocates or Jaws. Psychologists tell us we see what we know and what we know influences […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 5, 2015

Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg has proposed a series of amendments to an omnibus transportation bill that could have a drastic effect on red light cameras throughout the state. The amendments to Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles’ SB 1184 would reserve red light cameras as a last-resort safety measure at intersections prone to […]

Ryan RayMarch 4, 2015

A matching pair of proposals that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed committees in both legislative chambers on Wednesday. First up was Fort Myers Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen‘s HB 493, which passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 9 to 2, with Democratic Reps. Clovis Watson and Randolph Bracy dissenting. […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

No, FCAN isn’t about to pursue a pot legalization amendment

DHSMV review of red-light cameras failed to include crash increases, WTSP reports

Jeff Brandes' renewable bills pass first stop, group opposes solar amendment

Jeff Brandes’ renewable bills pass first stop, group opposes solar amendment

Ed Montanari likely to begin bid for St. Pete City Council next month

Uber bill greenlighted by House transportation panel

Red light cameras, with $105M in revenue last year, remain controversial

The week that was in Florida politics

Jeff Brandes proposes major red light camera reform

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents