Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 30, 2018

A key committee Tuesday moved along this year’s House gambling bill, but the fractures on the committee echoed those among the state’s gambling interests. The Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee OK’d the measure (PCB TGC 18-01) on a 9-6 vote, with Rockledge Republican Tom Goodson joining the panel’s five Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Committee chair Mike La Rosa said […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 4, 2018

Former Margate Sen. Jeremy Ring announced Thursday that 19 Democratic state lawmakers have endorsed him in the chief financial officer race. “From the very beginning I have believed that our campaign is all about people power,” Ring said. “I am proud to have the support of each and every one of these legislators. Over the […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 7, 2017

After hearing support from Gov. Rick Scott, the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday cleared a measure that would amend Florida’s constitution to require a legislative supermajority in each chamber to create or increase a tax or fee. The proposed language defines a supermajority as two-thirds of membership and would require 60 percent voter […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-10-03-at-11.10.01-AM.png

Legislation filed in the Florida House would add violence against an individual based on “gender or gender identity” to the state’s list of hate crimes. Rep. Joseph Geller, an Aventura Democrat, filed the bill (HB 211) Tuesday. “Florida has recently seen an increase in hate-crimes, from 73 committed in 2014 to 102 in 2015,” according to […]

Jim RosicaMay 2, 2017

A change that critics said will neuter the state’s Sunshine Laws by allowing any two elected officials of a local governing body to meet without notice in private failed in the House on Tuesday. The bill (HB 843), filed by Naples Republican Byron Donalds, received a vote of 68-48—less than the two-thirds needed to change […]

Jim RosicaApril 26, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-01-26-at-1.25.54-PM.png

The Florida Legislature has voted to tear down the booze ‘wall.’ The House, on a by-a-nose vote of 58-57, Wednesday passed the Senate’s bill (SB 106) to allow retailers, at least those who choose to do so, to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. The legislation now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2017

With its chair saying he wants to “freeze” gambling in the state, a House gambling panel on Thursday cleared that chamber’s overhaul bill, including a renewed blackjack agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee OK’d the measure (PCB TGC 17-01) on a 10-5 party-line vote. But […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 20, 2017

Timing is everything. And it’s no coincidence that a bill pushing a popular election of the U.S. President was filed by a Florida House Democrat just hours before the runner up in the popular vote was to be inaugurated Friday. House Bill 311, filed by Broward County Democrat Joe Geller, seeks to enact the Agreement Among the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

More than a dozen members of the Florida House are heading back Tallahassee. As of 5 p.m., state records show nearly a dozen South Florida lawmakers appeared to win their elections Friday when they failed to draw an opponent by the time qualifying period. All of the candidates are incumbents. In House District 94, Bobby […]

Ryan RayJune 15, 2016

Rep. Joe Geller announced Wednesday he will not run for the state Senate in Miami-Dade County-based Senate District 38. He was exploring a run for the safe Democratic seat. The announcement comes after Sen. Gwen Margolis declared she would not run for the seat, bringing her 2016 plans to an abrupt end. “While serving in the Senate would […]

Tag: Joe Geller
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

House panel clears gambling bill—with winners and losers

Jeremy Ring snags a pile of endorsements from state lawmakers

With Rick Scott’s blessing, tax supermajority clears committee

Bill would add ‘gender identity’ to hate crimes

House beats back shroud over Florida’s open meeting law

Legislature votes to tear down the ‘liquor wall’

House gambling bill gets thumbs up on first look

House bill seeks popular election of president

Nearly a dozen South Florida House members appear to be re-elected without opposition

Joe Geller will not join SD 38 race vacated by Gwen Margolis