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Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2018

State Rep. Michael Grant, a Port Charlotte Republican, was selected to serve as the House Majority Whip for 2018-20. The news was officially announced Friday. “I am extremely pleased with the selection of Michael Grant,” said House Republican Leader Dane Eagle in a statement. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and collegiality to the position, […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2018

House Speaker Jose Oliva has selected Republican state Reps. Cord Byrd, Byron Donalds and Ralph Massulo to chair the House education policy subcommittees, according to a list of assignments first obtained by Florida Politics. Byrd, a second-term Republican representing Nassau and Duval counties, will chair the House Higher Education & Career Readiness Subcommittee. Massulo, a second-term lawmaker representing Citrus and […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2018

Last month, House Speaker Jose Oliva tapped Estero Republican Rep. Ray Rodrigues to chair the House Health & Human Services Committee. On Friday, the chairs of the health care subcommittees were revealed. Second term Rep. Mel Ponder will take over the Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee. Gayle Harrell, who recently ascended to the state Senate, led the committee during the […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 14, 2018

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Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis is bringing into his administration five political and governmental professionals for top spots in the Executive Office of the Governor. The new hires have solid ties to several GOP state officials, having worked with legislative leaders and Cabinet members in recent years. And one, Helen Aguirre Ferré, is a former spokesperson for […]

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2018

State Reps. Holly Raschein, Chris Latvala, and Jay Trumbull are among seven members appointed by Speaker Jose Oliva to chair House appropriations subcommittees. That trio plus state Reps. Jayer Williamson, MaryLynn Magar, Randy Fine, and Clay Yarborough join Appropriations Committee Chair Travis Cummings of Clay County to lead House budgeting efforts over the next two […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 11, 2018

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Rep. Halsey Beshears will serve as the next Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis announced the hire Tuesday. Florida Politics first reported earlier this month that Beshears was under consideration for the post. “Florida’s trillion-dollar economy is founded on thriving businesses—from the small mom and pop shops to […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 7, 2018

A conservative-leaning organization of school board members is praising news of former Republican state House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s likely next job: Florida Education Commissioner. After Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis recommended Corcoran, of Land O’ Lakes, for the position on Thursday, the Florida Coalition of School Board Members chimed in with support. Powerful Republicans in the state also […]

Staff ReportsNovember 29, 2018

Florida will have to consider economic incentives if it wants television and film productions to shoot here, according to Florida TaxWatch‘s newest research report. That idea has found favor in the state Senate, but runs counter to new Republican House Speaker Jose Oliva‘s stance, who has called production incentives “tantamount to corporate welfare.” Even GOP […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 27, 2018

Among the crop of early bills filed ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session is a push to prevent Floridians from talking and texting while operating a vehicle. State Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, earlier this month filed legislation (SB 76) that would ban the use of handheld communications while driving. In the House, Boca […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2018

Senate President Bill Galvano said if incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis can flex his connection to President Donald Trump to land Florida a Medicaid block grant, the state could expand health insurance for the working poor. As reported by Alexandra Glorioso of POLITICO Florida, Galvano isn’t aiming for a repeat of 2015, when the state Senate […]

Tag: Jose Oliva
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Michael Grant named House Republican Whip

Jose Oliva names ed policy subcommittee chairs

Florida House’s health care policy subcommittee chairs named

Former White House staffer among Ron DeSantis’ senior staff

House appropriations subcommittee chairs settled

Ron DeSantis taps Halsey Beshears to be next DBPR Secretary

School board members, fellow Republicans applaud appointment of Richard Corcoran

Action! Florida TaxWatch revives TV, film incentives debate

Fight to stop behind-the-wheel cellphone use will look different in 2019

Bill Galvano says Florida could insure working poor with Medicaid block grant