Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayNovember 17, 2015

A bill to allow dying patients to use medical marijuana as a palliative treatment passed its first hurdle in the House Tuesday morning. The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved House Bill 307 by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Democratic prime co-sponsor Rep. Katie Edwards by a vote of 9-4. Panel chair Rep. Carlos Trujillo was among the four Republicans voting ‘No.’ The […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2015

Jim Webb announced yesterday that he is dropping his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. “I fully accept that my views on many issues are not compatible with the power structure and the nominating base of the Democratic Party,” Webb told reporters at the National Press Club in Washington. The current Democratic hierarchy, he said, “is […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

Although she’s been thwarted in the past few years, Plantation Democratic state Rep. Katie Edwards is back again to propose a needle exchange program that would help prevent transmission of HIV and hepatitis among intravenous drug users. HB 81 would create a five-year pilot program with the University of Miami to offer free, clean and unused needles and syringes […]

Phil AmmannOctober 20, 2015

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With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Bobbye Iseminger is the new senior administrative assistant for the House Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access. On: Jasmine Govan and Ambar Pimentel became legislative assistants for Democratic […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 24, 2015

Associated Industries of Florida, the state’s premier business lobby, will hold its sixth annual Florida Water Forum today. The forum begins 9 a.m. at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. “This meeting will provide participants with the most current information from Florida’s policy leaders in the Legislature and state government on issues relating to water […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 3, 2015

There’s excitement in some quarters this week as it now appears that Carly Fiorina will appear in the second Republican Presidential debate taking place in 13 days in Los Angeles (Okay, Simi Valley, officially). Meanwhile, we’re still more than five weeks away before the first Democratic Presidential debate. And why is that? While some may say […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 2, 2015

For the past three years in the Florida Legislature, attempts to enact a pilot needle exchange program in Miami-Dade County have been unsuccessful. Plantation House Democrat Katie Edwards , though, is going to give it another shot next year. Edwards has filed legislation that aims to alleviate transmission of the HIV and Hepatitis viruses among intravenous drug […]

Ryan RaySeptember 1, 2015

In the wake of Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober’s announcement he will not seek re-election next year, speculation has picked up around Broward state Sen. Eleanor Sobel pursuing the seat. As first reported by Buddy Nevins of BrowardBeat, Sobel is a natural choice because she is the highest-ranking state official who represents the city and she […]

Phil AmmannAugust 24, 2015

With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Shirley Proctor is no longer administrative assistant to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. On: Joyce Butler has become the new administrative assistant for Judiciary. Off & On: Ned Luczynski has become policy chief […]

Peter SchorschAugust 17, 2015

One of the state’s largest liberty movements gathered this weekend to discuss a broad range of policy ideas at the first Annual James Madison Institute Retreat. More than 150 JMI members from Florida and throughout the nation joined panels of experts at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to network, share ideas and hear […]

Tag: Katie Edwards

Expanded medical marijuana regime bill passes House panel

Mitch Perry Report for 10.21.15 – Quitting Jim Webb

Katie Edwards hopes this year her needle exchange bill advances in Tallahassee

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Associated Industries of Florida to hold water forum Friday

Mitch Perry Report for 9.3.15 – The DNC’s nondebate strategy

Katie Edwards introduces needle exchange bill in Legislature

Eleanor Sobel considers Hollywood mayoral run

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

James Madison Institute celebrates inaugural policy Retreat