Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallApril 4, 2015

Momma bears. It’s taking the momma bears to end the reefer madness. Paige Figi, Holley Moseley and Dawn Wein are among a group of women who worked the Florida Capitol the past year persuading, pressuring and pleading with lawmakers to lift a prohibition on medical marijuana and authorize the use of cannabis products they say will ease their children’s […]

James CallMarch 30, 2015

The day at the state Capitol began dark Monday. As we approach the midpoint of the 60-day of the Legislative Session, apparently the grind is starting to get to people. Someone forgot to turn on the lights this morning in the hallway leading to the Senate press room. It was eerie walking a usually bustling […]

James CallMarch 30, 2015

Growers and patient advocates used court challenges to force the Legislature to revisit a medicinal marijuana law approved last session. Tuesday they get another chance to persuade lawmakers to increase the allowable level of THC in medicinal oil authorized for use in Florida by the Compassionate Medicinal Cannabis Act of 2014. A Charlotte’s Web fix […]

James CallMarch 30, 2015

Growers and patient advocates used court challenges to force the Legislature to revisit a medicinal marijuana law approved last session. Tuesday they get another chance to persuade lawmakers to increase the allowable level of THC in medicinal oil authorized for use in Florida by the Compassionate Medicinal Cannabis Act of 2014. A Charlotte’s Web fix […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 30, 2015

State senators and representatives on a panel that oversees state audits responded angrily on Monday when they were told top officials at the Florida Municipal Power Agency were too busy to discuss audit findings that describe lavish spending and risky fuel-trading schemes. Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Democrat from Wellington who chairs the Joint Legislative Audit […]

Phil AmmannMarch 26, 2015

Discrimination has a significant effect on Florida’s economy, say supporters of a statewide measure to create uniform protections for the LGBT community. Employee turnover and lost productivity from discriminatory practices cost Florida businesses millions, according to a pair of reports released this week by the independent Equality Means Business and the UCLA School of Law […]

Phil AmmannMarch 25, 2015

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A coalition of local businesses from Miami’s iconic Little Havana neighborhood are stepping up to join the fight for statewide discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Along with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the group of small business owners are the latest names to voice support […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ SB 934, which preempts local governments from creating labor agreements with contractors containing certain wage, residency or diversity requirements, found an unlikely “No” vote in Senate Community Affairs this afternoon: Brandes himself. The vote was part of a legislative maneuver undertaken by Brandes to bring his bill back from the dead. After […]

Phil AmmannMarch 16, 2015

A proposal to boost anti-discrimination laws in Florida is beginning see unprecedented bipartisan backing in the Legislature, as a growing number of state lawmakers are voicing support for the measure. The Florida Competitive Workforce Act is making its way through the Capitol in the form of House Bill 33 by Republican Rep. Holly Raschein of […]

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: Joe Abruzzo

“Momma bears” roam Florida Capitol seeking medical marijuana for their cubs

The day that was in Florida politics — March 30

Charlotte's Web glitch bill scheduled for hearing

Charlotte’s Web glitch bill scheduled for hearing

Legislators pound FMPA after top officials fail to appear

Florida employers lose $360M yearly from LGBT discrimination, study finds

Little Havana businesses endorse Competitive Workforce Act

Local government labor contracts bill narrowly cheats death

Florida Competitive Workforce Act “right thing to do,” legislators say

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents