Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2017

The fate of this year’s gambling bill is being held hostage to passage of a homestead exemption increase, sources told FloridaPolitics.com Sunday night. Publicly, lawmakers have been saying that progress on omnibus gambling legislation was taking a backseat to the 2017-18 state budget talks. The Conference Committee on Gaming hasn’t met since last Thursday. The Senate is […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 28, 2017

Mike Fernandez, a billionaire businessman and top Republican donor, is expressing his disappointment in the House and Senate’s decision to “advance and dump” casino expansion efforts on South Florida. In an email to Sen. Bill Galvano and Rep. Jose Felix Diaz on Thursday, Fernandez criticized the decision to move forward with a proposal that would […]

Jim RosicaApril 26, 2017

The Florida House made several major offers Wednesday to get a gambling deal done this session, including authorizing decoupling for dog and horse tracks if county voters OK it in a local referendum. House and Senate negotiators met in the morning in their ongoing effort to agree on an omnibus gambling bill for 2017, including an […]

Jim RosicaApril 25, 2017

The House will make its offer Wednesday morning in the Legislature’s negotiation on a gambling bill this year, state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz told reporters Tuesday night. “I expect to make significant progress in the conversation,” he said, without offering many details and saying the House’s offer was still in flux. “The earlier we get it […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2017

Saying he wanted to “start taking small steps,” state Sen. Bill Galvano on Monday tendered the first offer in the Legislature’s negotiation on a gambling bill this year. The initial tender, though it largely maintains what’s in the Senate’s bill, also would classify contentious “pre-reveal” games as slot machines, and would limit two new slots facilities […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2017

Seeing it as the “lesser of various evils” to pass a gambling bill this year, the House may give in to the Senate’s position to legislatively approve new slot machines in counties that passed referendums allowing them, according to those familiar with the negotiations. As of early Monday, the Conference Committee on Gaming was set to meet later […]

Guest AuthorApril 19, 2017

A lot of people talk about jobs. How to create them, how to save them, or how to move them. No matter what side of the “jobs argument” you are on, one thing is certain. There can be no job without a worker to perform that job. That worker is – normally – a human […]

Staff ReportsApril 16, 2017

Rep. Jose Felix Diaz is believed to be in the running to become South Florida’s top federal prosecutor. According to POLITICO Florida, Diaz and John Couriel have interviewed with the Justice Department and were recommended — along with attorney Jon Sale — for the Southern District of Florida U.S. Attorney post. All three men were recommended […]

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2017

Among the claim bills advanced Thursday is one approving $3.75 million payment in the death of Nubia Barahona. The payment from the Department of Children and Families would also compensate for injuries to Nubia’s twin brother Victor Barahona. The legislation, passed by the House Judiciary Committee, was filed by Miami Republican Jose Felix Diaz and Plantation Democrat Katie […]

Staff ReportsApril 5, 2017

Jose Mallea is starting off his state House run strong, raising more than $50,000 in three weeks his campaign announced Wednesday. The Miami Republican announced in March he was running to replace Rep. Jose Felix Diaz in House District 116. According to Mallea’s campaign, he raised $50,000 since filing to run for office on March […]

Tag: Jose Felix Diaz

House to Senate: No homestead exemption increase, no gambling bill

Mike Fernandez: If gambling in South Florida passes without referendum, ‘the wrath of the community you will feel’

House takes giant steps in gambling negotiation

Jose Felix Diaz: House will ‘take giant step’ in gambling conference

Senate budges little in initial gambling negotiation

Gambling deal may come down to slots question

Danny Burgess: It’s vital Florida workers get care they need

Report: Jose Felix Diaz contender for South Florida federal prosecutor post

House advances claim bill for abuse survivor Victor Barahona

Jose Mallea raises $50K in three weeks in HD 116 race