Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Now that Palm Coast Republican Rep. Paul Renner has hit his signature requirements, all three lawmakers in line to be House Speaker have qualified for the ballot by petition. Petition requirements are pegged to 1 percent of the registered voters within a district, and in Renner’s case he needed 1,282 valid signatures to make the […]

Drew WilsonMay 8, 2018

Tampa Republican Rep. Shawn Harrison, who is once again facing a formidable challenger in House District 63, added $7,850 to his campaign account and $44,500 to his political committee last month. The April report shows 10 contributions, including seven checks for $1,000, the maximum allowable contribution for state legislative races. The new report brings his […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2018

Lawmakers have moved from informal talks to exchanging offers toward a Special Session on gambling, sources said late Monday. That’s despite an agreement announced last week between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida guaranteeing that the Tribe will keep sharing gaming revenue from its casinos at least till May 2019. The impetus behind the Special Session effort is a […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2018

It’s another happy day at Hard Rock. Gov. Rick Scott Wednesday announced an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that “extends the Tribe’s current commitment to make (gambling) revenue sharing payments to the state through May 2019.” The tribe operates Hard Rock-branded and other casinos in Florida, including the flagship Hard […]

Drew WilsonApril 17, 2018

Freshman Republican Rep. Jackie Toledo is holding a kickoff event for her House District 60 re-election campaign April 26 in Tampa. The fundraiser will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Byblos Café, 2832 S. MacDill Ave. Those looking to attend can RSVP by sending an email to Lynnette Russell at [email protected]. The host […]

Staff ReportsApril 2, 2018

Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson says she’s “stunned by the ongoing inability of the Republican legislative leadership to reach an agreement with the Seminole Tribe over gaming in Florida, and alarmed by the suggestion of an expensive Special Session.” The Senate Democratic Office released her statement Friday morning. “This was not a sudden development, or […]

Jim RosicaMarch 30, 2018

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Top men in the Legislature are considering a Special Session to tackle unresolved gambling issues from the 2018 Regular Session, including renewal of a deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe. It’s all about the money. The Tribe paid a little more than $290 million last fiscal year into state coffers as part of a 2010 […]

Drew WilsonMarch 28, 2018

Miami Republican Rep. Manny Diaz Jr. announced Wednesday that he brought in an even $50,000 in the first fundraiser for his Senate District 36 campaign. “This number reflects the growing momentum in our campaign,” Diaz said. “I’m so grateful for the strong community support we have and for all the local leaders from across the […]

Peter SchorschMarch 16, 2018

Hialeah Republican Rep. Manny Diaz Jr. is holding a fundraiser for to kick off his Senate campaign on Thursday. The Hialeah Park event will run from 6 PM to 9 PM on March 22, and the host committee features a number of South Florida Republican elected officials. Listed on the invite are Sen. Rene Garcia, […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed the latest version of comprehensive gambling legislation for 2018, and asked the House to go into conference to bang out a compromise. Bill sponsor Travis Hutson offered an amendment to the House bill (HB 7067) that already passed off the floor. The chamber OK’d it 22-10, sending it back. Hutson—a St. Augustine […]

Tag: Jose Oliva

Next three House Speakers make 2018 ballot by petition

Shawn Harrison hits $215K on hand with April fundraising reports

Lawmakers swapping deals toward Special Session on gambling

Deal ’em: Rick Scott, Seminole Tribe agree on gambling money

Jackie Toledo holding April 26 campaign kickoff

Audrey Gibson on gambling: ‘This should have been resolved’

Legislative leaders ponder special session on gambling

Manny Diaz raises $50K in first Senate fundraiser

Manny Diaz holding Senate campaign fundraiser March 22

Senate passes gambling bill, requests conference