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Staff ReportsJune 14, 2017

Companies will now be required to promptly notify the Department of Environmental Protection of a pollution incident under a bill signed by Gov. Rick Scott. The so-called spill bill (SB 1018) requires companies to submit a notice of a reportable pollution release to the Department of Environmental Protection within 24 hours of the release. That […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 30, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott did not close the door entirely on a special session on medical marijuana, telling reporters his office was reviewing his options. “I know there’s a lot of people involved and interested in the issue,” said Scott, following a stop in Fort Myers on Tuesday morning. Scott said a special session was “something […]

Peter SchorschMay 28, 2017

Former Mayor Rick Baker continues building momentum in his quest to return for a third term as St. Petersburg Mayor. Coming off a successful campaign kickoff event last week, Baker, who served two terms from 2001-2010, is following with another high-profile reception Wednesday in Clearwater Beach. Co-chairs of the event – with the tagline “Proven Leadership” […]

Mitch PerryApril 18, 2017

The Florida Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to inform the public within 24 hours after a spill occurs. Senators passed SB 532 on its third and final reading. Sponsored by Manatee County Republican Bill Galvano, the bill was filed in the wake of Gov. Rick Scott‘s request for new public notification rules and legislation to ensure […]

Peter SchorschApril 15, 2017

Grab your bonnet, pull out the seersucker and get ready for a good-old-fashion Easter egg hunt. Americans are expected to spend about $18.4 billion on Easter this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey. That projection is 6 percent higher than last year’s record of $17.3 billion and marks an all-time high in […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2017

Legislation that would bring new measures of accountability to Florida’s Public Service Commission passed a House Committee on Tuesday. Pinellas Republican Kathleen Peters’s bill (HB 7071) would create performance-based incentives for utilities by rating their reliability, customer service, power plant performance and costs. It also would bar lawmakers from serving on the commission within six years of […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

The House “whiskey & Wheaties” bill has limped out of another committee with a one-vote margin. And that was after its sponsor fixed a problem that could have cost the Department of Business and Professional Regulation more than $250,000 in lost liquor license revenue. The legislation (HB 81) cleared the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday by a […]

Michael MolineMarch 9, 2017

A bipartisan coalition of House members and senators endorsed Gov. Rick Scott’s request to increase mental health funding by $25 million, but said even more money is needed to move Florida out of the basement in funding for treatment. “At the end of the day, we’re 49th (in funding among the states), which means we’ve […]

Mitch PerryMarch 6, 2017

There are numerous criminal justice reform bills already moving in committees in the Florida House and Senate this year, and on Monday a nonpartisan coalition called The Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform announced its formation on the eve of the 2017 Legislative Session kicking off on Tuesday. The Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform includes the Southern […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 3, 2017

The state’s sandy shores have a powerful ally in the Florida Legislature. Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala announced Friday he filed legislation aimed at saving the state’s beaches from continued erosion. The proposal (SB 1590) would, among other things, dedicate a minimum of $50 million a year to beach nourishment and inlet management restoration projects […]

Tag: Kathleen Peters

Rick Scott signs pollution notification bill into law

Rick Scott says he’s ‘reviewing’ whether to call medical marijuana special session

Pinellas GOP heavyweights raising money for Rick Baker on Wednesday in Clearwater Beach

Senate gives full support to pollution notification rules change

Easter and Passover as brought to you by these lobbyists and political associations

Bill to reform public utilities advances in House committee

House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill clears another panel — barely

Legislative coalition urges leaders to find money for mental health programs

Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform formed as legislative session formally begins

Jack Latvala, Kathleen Peters file beach renourishment bill