Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannApril 26, 2016

Gwen Graham’s recent semi-surprise, twofer announcement has the Florida chattering classes (temporarily) taking their attention away from 2016 and toward a post-Rick Scott state Capitol. The year 2018 will mark 20 straight years in which Republicans have monopolized the Governor’s Mansion. Democrats are understandably terrified about that continued dominance, particularly when they consider the judicial […]

Guest AuthorApril 24, 2016

Gwen Graham‘s recent semi-surprise, twofer announcement has the Florida chattering classes (temporarily) taking their attention away from 2016 and toward the prospect of a post-Rick Scott state Capitol. 2018 will mark 20 straight years in which Republicans have monopolized the Governor’s mansion in Tallahassee. The existential terror Democrats face over a continuation of that dominance […]

Ryan RayApril 21, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham rocked the Democratic side of Florida politics with her announcement Thursday morning she’s “seriously considering” a run for governor. But of course, she won’t be alone in seeking to take back the Governor’s Mansion for the Dems for the first time since Gov. Lawton Chiles held the state’s highest post in 1998. Margate Sen. Jeremy Ring said […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Senate a bill that would classify computer coding as a “foreign language” for purposes of high school credit. Sen. Jeremy Ring‘s SB 468 passed the upper chamber by a vote of 35-5 after half an hour of heated debate, mostly among Ring’s fellow Democrats. Sen. Dwight Bullard said he agreed coding is an important skill for students to learn, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2016

We’ve heard a lot over the past year about the angry voter: hence the popularity of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. Those attending a desultory Senate committee meeting in the Florida Legislature got to see an angry voter up close and personal, when a man who identified himself as Antonio Davis began testifying about Tampa […]

Scott PowersFebruary 10, 2016

Two years ago Thursday Orange County Deputy Sheriff Jonathan “Scott” Pine was gunned down while pursuing a suspect. On Wednesday the Florida Senate did all it could to make sure his surviving family – and others – won’t have to wait another year for financial security. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 7012, which would increase […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2016

A motion to reconsider a contentious bill banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people failed in a Senate panel Tuesday, signaling its virtual demise for the 2016 Legislative Session. On a voice vote, the Judiciary Committee deadlocked again on a procedural move to bring the bill (SB 120) back, one day after the bill died on […]

Ryan RayFebruary 8, 2016

A bill to prohibit gender- and sexuality-based workplace discrimination died momentarily in a Senate panel, before being revived by legislative maneuvering. Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee was likely the most controversial of the 2016, in both form and in substance. Senators took up SB 120, a bill supporters are calling the “Competitive Workforce Act,” […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

The Florida Senate’s economic development bill took its first step of the 2016 Legislative Session, unanimously clearing the Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday. The bill’s sponsor, Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, last week had promised it would contain provisions for film and television production incentives. Florida has been losing out to other states when it comes to film shoots. […]

Associated PressJanuary 17, 2016

A major ethics and anti-corruption bill that advocates say is long overdue – but critics say may go too far – faces a rocky path in the Legislature. The legislation seeks to end what a 2010 grand jury called a “corruption tax” on Florida citizens amounting to millions a year in extra taxes, government fees […]

Tag: Jeremy Ring
Image via AP.

Ben Pollara: Baby got bench: Florida Democrats’ 2018 field

Ben Pollara: Baby got bench — Florida Democrat’s 2018 field

Jeremy Ring also floating run for governor in 2018

Senate passes measure categorizing computer coding as foreign language

Florida man goes off in legislative meeting

Senate approves first responders’ survivors’ benefit bill honoring Orange County deputy

Dead again: Senators kill anti-LGBT discrimination bill

Anti-LGBT discrimination bill on life support after contentious vote

Jack Latvala starts moving economic development bill with film/TV incentives

Anti-corruption bill faces rocky path in Legislature