Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 6, 2017

A bill giving judges some discretion over whether to award attorney’s fees in public records cases cleared its second committee hearing Monday, but not before being amended in an attempt to alleviate opponents concerns. The bill (SB 80), sponsored by Sen. Greg Steube, aims to give judges discretion in whether they should award fees to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 30, 2017

The list of incumbents eyeing re-election just keeps getting longer. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Gary Farmer is one of those lawmakers thinking about his next race. He filed to […]

Michael MolineJanuary 23, 2017

The new head of Enterprise Florida Inc. defended the organization Monday against complaints that it doesn’t raise enough private-sector money, saying a required one-to-one match of public and private dollars applies only to operating expenses. Chris Hart, who became president and CEO just weeks ago, cited the statute that created the economic development organization in […]

Jim RosicaDecember 27, 2016

Enterprise Florida (EFI) would have to hire outside auditors “to verify compliance” of businesses getting incentive money under legislation filed Tuesday. New state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Miami-Dade Democrat, filed the bill (SB 216) on the state’s public-private economic development organization. The legislation, which does not yet have a House companion, would require the organization to then […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 29, 2016

Proposals to expand the rights of gun owners could fare better in the Florida Senate in the coming years. Senate President Joe Negron announced Tuesday that Sen. Greg Steube will serve as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 2016-18 legislative term. The appointment now puts Steube in charge of the same committee that […]

Mitch PerryNovember 15, 2016

With his legacy on the line, Barack Obama went all out during this just-concluded election season to not only get Hillary Clinton elected, but also more than 150 down ballot races for state Senate and House in states across the country, including 13 Democrats on the ballot in Florida. With one House race so close […]

Peter SchorschNovember 3, 2016

Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala and incoming Senate President Joe Negron buried the hatchet long ago and, according to the most recent numbers from Latvala’s political committee, the two are very much playing on the same team. On Nov. 2, the Florida Leadership Committee, which served as Latvala’s war chest during the race for the Senate presidency, put $300,000 into the Florida […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 21, 2016

President Barack Obama is throwing his support behind more than a dozen Democratic legislative hopefuls. The Florida Democratic Party announced Friday the president endorsed 13 Democrats running for state House and Senate. The endorsements come just 18 days before the Nov. 8 general election, and are likely meant to boost Democratic turnout. “No state is […]

Staff ReportsOctober 14, 2016

With just a few weeks until the election, organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — the Florida Retail Federation, Florida Conservation Voters, and the NRA Political Victory Fund — issued endorsements. — Neal Dunn has received the backing of the NRA Political Victory Fund. “As a staunch […]

Scott PowersOctober 13, 2016

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee on Thursday added Florida House candidates Beth Tuura of Orlando, Jennifer Webb of St. Petersburg, and Florida Senate candidate José Javier Rodriguez of Miami to its list of “essential races” for support. The national group, which seeks to support Democrats at the state legislative level, now has 52 races nationally it has declared […]

Tag: Jose Javier Rodriguez

Controversial public records bill clears second Senate panel

More legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020

Enterprise Florida’s new chief defends the economic development program

Jose Javier Rodriguez files Enterprise Florida reform legislation

Greg Steube picked to chair Senate Judiciary Committee

Barack Obama goes below .500 in his picks for Florida House and Senate seats

Money flow shows teamwork between former rivals Jack Latvala, Joe Negron

Barack Obama endorses 13 Democrats running for state House and Senate

Endorsement Watch: Florida Retail Federation, Florida Conservation Voters, NRA issue endorsements

National Dems list José Javier Rodriguez, Beth Tuura, Jennifer Webb campaigns as ‘essentials’