Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 26, 2017

Members of the Florida House Subcommittee on Children, Families and Seniors heard from five different speakers on Thursday regarding the process by which refugees are resettled in Florida. However, Democrats on the committee only heard from four, as they walked out en masse in disapproval to hear from Mark Krekorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 3, 2017

The number of lawmakers prepping for another run keeps on growing. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018. Many of those are incumbents who faced little-to-no opposition in 2016, while others ran hard fought battles to win their spot in the […]

Joe HendersonDecember 28, 2016

Politicians have long been outraged – OUTRAGED, I tell you – about so-called “activist judges” who make them follow that pesky thing known as the law. I guess it’s logical, therefore, for frustrated lawmakers to try and beat judges at their own game. FloridaPolitics.com reported that State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Republican from Venice, filed […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 27, 2016

Lawmakers could override court decisions they don’t like under bills filed Tuesday. State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican, filed two pieces of legislation, one aimed at state judges and another at federal judges who interpret state laws. The first measure (HJR 121) would allow the Legislature to review judicial rulings that declare legislative acts void. If approved […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

A measure that would impose term limits on Florida’s appellate judges has cleared its last House committee, despite critics’ warnings that it will cause a brain drain on the bench. The bill (HB 197) cleared the Judiciary Committee Thursday by a vote of 11-6, sending it to the full Florida House of Representatives. To take effect, it must […]

Staff ReportsNovember 18, 2015

Following an impressive performance at the Sunshine Summit in Orlando over the weekend, the Senate campaign for Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera announced the endorsements of several Southwest Florida and Tampa area state legislators Wednesday: Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano of Bradenton State Rep. Ben Albritton of Bartow State Rep. Jim Boyd of Bradenton State Rep. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 27, 2015

A liberal opposition research group blasted 2016 presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio for his connection to “religious freedom” bills filed in the Florida and Arkansas legislatures. American Bridge PAC singled out the Miami Republican for his relationship with District 74 Republican Rep. Julio Gonzalez, who last week filed HB 401, which would allow […]

Ryan RayOctober 21, 2015

Rep. Julio Gonzalez filed his first bill of the 2016 legislative year on Wednesday, and it was a doozy: a proposal to give immunity to certain businesses that don’t want to render certain services on grounds of “religious freedom,” including private child-placement agencies. Specifically, the bill amends the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1998” to read that […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 28, 2015

Our country faces an epidemic. On average, 308 people die every week from prescription opioid pain medications, the vast majority unintentional. Over the past five years, more Americans died from prescription opioid overdose than during the entire Vietnam War. Sadly, our state is not immune from this epidemic. Drug poisoning, has surpassed car accidents as […]

Guest AuthorMay 11, 2015

Florida lawmakers passed a life-saving measure which now heads to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature. The newly passed legislation will drastically diminish a tragic and far-too-common occurrence – death resulting from a drug overdose. This public health crisis has, up until now, burdened the citizens and communities of Florida. My organization, Shatterproof, would like […]

Tag: Julio Gonzalez
Debate party at Sports Grill Kendall. Image via AP.

Florida Democrats walk out of committee discussing refugees resettlement

More than a dozen lawmakers file for re-election in 2018

Joe Henderson: Separation of powers there to keep legislators from running amok

Legislation would allow lawmakers to override judges’ rulings

Judicial term limits OK’d by final House committee

Carlos Lopez-Cantera enjoys post-Sunshine Summit momentum with new endorsements

American Bridge slams Marco Rubio for link to “religious freedom” bills

“Religious freedom” bill to prevent gay adoptions refiled for 2016

Dr. Julio Gonzalez: Florida takes action to reduce prescription drug, heroin-related deaths

Gary Mendell: Life-saving measure passes Florida Legislature to combat drug overdoses