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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 […]

Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2018

After an hours-long floor session, in which a series of Democratic attempts to change a controversial school safety bill failed, the Republican-controlled House on Tuesday readied the proposal for a final vote. Before that could happen, dozens of amendments sponsored by Democrats were killed. One by Rep. Jared Moskowitz would have removed a ‘guardian program’ […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2018

The House spent three hours just on questions on a contentious $400 million school safety proposal passed by the Senate on Monday. House members took up the bill (SB 7026) Tuesday, with Democrats peppering Speaker-designate José Oliva with questions, many of them duplicative. “Asked and answered,” Speaker pro tempore Jeanette Nuñez said several times. She was in […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2018

A strike-all amendment planned for the Senate’s 2018 gambling bill will add an authorization for slot machines in counties where voters OK’d them in local referendums, Senate President-designate Bill Galvano said Thursday. The Senate bill (SB 840) is now slated for consideration before the Appropriations Committee Friday. Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, is the Senate’s lead […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 26, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Andrea Jahna is no longer legislative assistant to Lake Placid Republican Sen. Denise Grimsley. Off: Karen Riggien is no longer legislative assistant for Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels. Off: Daniel Martinez is no longer legislative assistant for […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 25, 2018

A group supporting a wave of first-time candidates for elected office took out a full-page ad in the Sunday edition of the Sun-Sentinel calling on Floridians to run against NRA-backed state lawmakers in 2018. The Run for Something ad states “The NRA is killing our kids” at the top and then includes an sheet with […]

Tag: Jose Oliva

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

After marathon floor session, House poised to approve school safety bill

House begins deliberations on post-Parkland measure

Reanimated: Senate gambling bill, with changes, back in play

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Run for Something ad highlights unopposed Florida lawmakers with NRA ties

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.