Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 14, 2017

The fifth annual Florida Automated Vehicles Summit began Monday night in Tampa with officials arriving from across the country to discuss the latest development in the cutting-edge industry. Tampa/Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) CEO Joe Waggoner said the first conference, held in 2013, strictly focused on automated vehicles, but that it’s so much more now. “The […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 13, 2017

Traffic gridlock is the present for major Florida cities, but does it have to be the future? A bill (“the Florida Smart City Challenge Grant Program”) filed Monday in the Florida Legislature would offer state grant money, via the Florida Department of Transportation, as incentive for local solutions to transportation challenges. The House iteration, HB 633, was […]

Drew WilsonNovember 7, 2017

A pair of Republican state lawmakers filed bills Tuesday to strengthen a 2016 law capping contracts between Florida governments and companies that support the anti-Israel “Boycott, Divestiture, and Sanctions” movement. Current law allows Florida municipal governments to do up to $1 million of business each year with anti-Israel companies, but the 2018 measures, HB 545 […]

Ana CeballosNovember 5, 2017

After six women anonymously accused Sen. Jack Latvala of sexually harassing and groping them, at least five women who have worked closely with the powerful senator have come to his defense. The allegations against Latvala, a Republican candidate for governor who turned 66 Friday, range from him grabbing a female lobbyist’s buttocks to making unsolicited […]

Mitch PerryOctober 30, 2017

(UPDATE) Before the 2017 Legislative Session, a number of Florida lawmakers — on both sides of the aisle — talked a good game on criminal justice reform. Nevertheless, they fell far short on a number of fronts. But there’s always next year, which is why Democratic state Rep. Ben Diamond of St. Petersburg is proposing legislation (HB 481) to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 30, 2017

A Florida nursery is suing the state over its preference in granting medical marijuana licenses to companies with underused or shuttered citrus factories. Tropiflora LLC of Sarasota filed suit against the Department of Health‘s Office of Compassionate Use—now the Office of Medical Marijuana Use—in Leon County Circuit Civil court on Friday, court records show. The […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 25, 2017

Florida Department of Corrections’s troubled security operations were big talkers Wednesday in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice. DOC Secretary Julie L. Jones addressed staffing patterns, contraband reduction efforts and use-of-force incidents. Major issues faced by the DOC are familiar to longtime observers, including continued staff attrition, overcrowding, increases in contraband, and a secretary confronting […]

Drew WilsonOctober 23, 2017

South Florida Democratic Sen. Gary Farmer is resurrecting the debate over whether police should be required to let people know their rights when it comes to searches without a warrant. SB 262 would prohibit police officers from searching a person or their property without telling them they have a right to decline the search. State […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2017

Self-driving cars would be able to legally cruise Sunshine State highways under a bill filed by Jacksonville House Republican Jason Fischer. His legislation (HB 353) would allow for the safe and legal operation of “autonomous vehicles.” The bill also calls for updating sections of Florida’s motor vehicle laws that “require or presume” there’s a human […]

Mitch PerryOctober 11, 2017

The latest attempt to end a decades-old prohibition on fireworks sales in Florida received its first hearing in the state Senate Wednesday, and it was a bit bumpy. The bill cleared the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on a 8-2 vote, but bill sponsor Greg Steube admits it still needs some work. For more than half a […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes
Three people were killed in an accident on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County on Aug. 12. Image via Treasure Coast Newspapers.

‘The Jetsons’ is now: Automated vehicles summit kicks off in Tampa

‘Smart Cities’ grant would incentivize local transportation innovation

Jeff Brandes, Randy Fine file bills to slash state contracts with anti-Israel companies

Jack Latvala allies come to his defense after sexual harassment claims

Ben Diamond wants to unshackle judges from minimum drug sentencing

Orange you mad? Citrus language leads to marijuana lawsuit

Florida Corrections head: ‘We’re working staff to death’

Bill requiring police to read rights before a search stalls

Jason Fischer, Jeff Brandes introduce self-driving cars bill

Fireworks bill clears first Senate panel