Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeApril 16, 2018

The ‘revolving door’ of elected officials and lobbyists could soon get jammed. A proposed constitutional amendment that would mandate a six-year lobbying ban on all elected officeholders, agency heads and judges cleared the Florida Constitution Revision Commission in a 30-4 vote on Monday. If approved by 60 percent of voters in November, public officers will […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2018

Just as it always does in recent years, a legislative effort to revisit the state’s gambling laws tanked in the last week of this year’s Legislative Session. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran released a joint statement Friday night: “Despite the good faith efforts of both the House and Senate, a gaming bill […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2018

Florida is poised to make history with the Legislature’s Tuesday passage of a proposal to place a statue of civil-rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. The statue of Bethune would replace a likeness of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, who has represented Florida for decades in […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2018

Former state Rep. Jose Felix “Pepi” Diaz remains at Ballard Partners, but has taken a second position at the law firm of Panza, Maurer & Maynard, the firm announced. Diaz, executive vice president at Ballard’s lobbying firm, also will be a partner in the law firm’s Coral Gables office. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, the firm also has an office in […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 24, 2018

Could anyone be leading a more charmed life than super-lobbyist Brian Ballard? He’s putting the finishing touches on his new downtown Tallahassee headquarters for Ballard Partners, his governmental affairs firm; he’s basking in the glow of his friendship with President Donald Trump, and he’s adding talent at an almost breakneck clip. His latest acquisition: Jose Felix […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran won’t give an over-under for chances of success for comprehensive gambling legislation this Session. When asked at a Tuesday press conference, the Land O’ Lakes Republican said: “It’s somewhere between 1 percent and 99 percent certainty.” The House has long been averse to proposals that could be seen as expanding gambling. […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 16, 2018

What a birthday president for Jose Felix Diaz, the former state representative who last year lost a high-profile special election for the Florida Senate. Diaz, who turns 38 Tuesday, is joining Ballard Partners, the governmental affairs firm led by Brian Ballard. A well-respected name in Miami-Dade County, Diaz most recently served seven years representing Districts […]

Peter SchorschDecember 29, 2017

‘Tis the season, and the Legislature’s dubious Christmas present this year was moving up the 2018 Legislative Session two months from its usual March start date. We will no doubt have many gifts in store, besides the inevitable policy food fights, such as perhaps seeing some lawmakers in their ugly holiday sweaters (the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts “sunny, turning warm” for […]

Jim RosicaNovember 29, 2017

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Candidates for legislative office would have to live in their districts when they qualify to run under a constitutional change cleared Wednesday. The Constitution Revision Commission‘s Legislative Committee OK’d the proposal (P50), filed by Commissioner and former state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, unanimously and without debate. Diaz also chairs the committee. The constitution now says a […]

Peter SchorschNovember 1, 2017

Democratic state Rep. Daisy Baez resigned her House seat Wednesday, and is expected to plead guilty to perjury charges in a criminal case over her residency in Coral Gables-based House District 114. Baez’s plea agreement for a misdemeanor perjury charge includes her leaving office and paying a $1,000 fine. She will also take an ethics course […]

Tag: Jose Felix Diaz
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Voters will decide on lobbying reform this fall

Sunshine State gambling #fails: A short history (updated for 2018)

Bethune statue bill heads to governor

Personnel note: Jose Felix Diaz also joins Panza Maurer

Could Pepi Diaz one day take the reins of the Brian Ballard empire in Florida?

Richard Corcoran: No predictions on gambling legislation this year

Personnel note: Jose Felix Diaz joins Ballard Partners

The 12 Days of Christmas, as brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and politicos

Constitutional change on candidate residency OK’d by panel

Daisy Baez resigns over residency case, but GOP supermajority not assured