Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 20, 2016

Among the 2017 priorities that the Hillsborough County Regional Transit Authority’s government liaison, Cesar Hernandez told board members on Monday, one would be to continue to push for anything that can push autonomous vehicle technology forward in the new year. In case you’re not familiar with the whole driverless car concept, you should know that the Sunshine State, led by […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2016

The troubled Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission received a terminal diagnosis Friday after members of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation voted unanimously for a local bill that would eliminate the agency on December 31, 2017. After that, the County Commission would pick up its regulatory duties. “The public has lost complete faith in the ability of this […]

Michael MolineDecember 14, 2016

A key state senator on Wednesday endorsed House Speaker Richard Corcoran‘s lawsuit seeking to open Visit Florida’s contract with the rapper Pitbull to promote tourism. “That’s a public record,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, chairman of the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Subcommittee, which oversees Visit Florida. Corcoran sued in state court Tuesday seeking permission to subject […]

Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2016

State Sen. Jeff Brandes wants to sound the death knell for Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system. The St. Petersburg Republican on Tuesday filed a repeal (SB 156) of the personal injury protection, or PIP, requirements under Florida law for motor vehicle insurance. “PIP is a broken insurance system, and it does not reflect the reality […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2016

Federal law requires drivers license suspensions for non-payment of child support and drug offenses. However, according to a new report, the majority of states have used a provision in that law that allows them to “opt-out” of these automatic license suspensions while still keeping their highway funding. Twelve states – including Florida – have not. A report released this week […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 5, 2016

Florida lawmakers could once again consider whether computer coding classes should be counted as a foreign language credit. Sen. Jeff Brandes filed legislation Monday to allow Florida high schools to offer computer coding classes that “along with the earning of a related industry certification satisfies two credits of sequential foreign language instruction.” Senate Bill 104 […]

Staff ReportsDecember 5, 2016

State Sen. Jeff Brandes says he will file legislation for the 2017 Legislative Session to fund flood mitigation in affected communities. The idea is to lower the cost of flood insurance by decreasing flood severity in areas covered by the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System. The legislation will create a matching grant program, in […]

Anne LindbergDecember 2, 2016

Responding to a request from Charlie Justice, the Pinellas Legislative Delegation will consider changing the way members of the Construction Licensing Board are chosen. State Sen. Jack Latvala, the delegation chair, called on state Rep. Larry Ahern to come up with a plan by the delegation’s Jan. 31 meeting. State Sen. Jeff Brandes said he […]

Staff ReportsDecember 1, 2016

Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation to implement a constitutional amendment to give tax breaks to companies that buy and install solar devices and equipment. The St. Petersburg Republican filed Senate Bill 90, the Amendment 4 implementing bill Thursday. “The voters of Florida spoke loud and clear that they expect the sunshine state to make […]

Anne LindbergNovember 29, 2016

When the dust cleared in Tallahassee on Tuesday, one thing was clear: Pinellas was on top when it comes to the state’s funds. Republican Sens. Jack Latvala and Jeff Brandes, who represent parts of Pinellas, landed some plum appointments. Latvala will be the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and alt. chair of the Joint […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

Mitch Perry Report for 12.20.16 – Our driverless future?

Hillsborough County PTC may be on way out after local delegation approves bill to kill it

Jeff Brandes backs House lawsuit to make Pitbull contract public

Jeff Brandes files PIP repeal for 2017

Report says 24,000 citizens in Florida have suspended drivers license because of drug offenses

Jeff Brandes files computer coding as foreign language bill

Jeff Brandes to file flood mitigation bill

Pinellas Legislative Delegation to consider changes to construction licensing board

Jeff Brandes files Amendment 4 implementing bill

Jack Latvala, Jeff Brandes will help control the purse strings in Tallahassee next year

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.